If you've ever wondered whether board games and tabletop games are the same thing, you're not alone! The terms are often used interchangeably, but there's a small yet important difference between them. Put simply, board games are a type of tabletop game, but tabletop games cover a much wider range of gaming experiences. From classic family favourites to competitive card games and sprawling fantasy adventures, there's a lot more to tabletop gaming than a board and a few pieces. So, what separates the two, what games fall into each category, and which type might be right for you? Let's take a closer look!
What are board games?
Board games are games played using a set of rules and components, often involving a board, tiles, cards, tokens or pieces. Players usually take turns making decisions, competing against one another or working together towards a shared goal. They're available in all shapes and sizes, from quick games you can learn in five minutes to complex strategy games that take an entire evening to master.
Some popular examples include:
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Monopoly: A classic property trading game where players buy locations, collect rent and attempt to bankrupt their opponents.
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Catan: A strategy game focused on gathering resources, building settlements and trading with other players.
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Ticket to Ride: A railway-themed game where players collect cards and claim train routes to connect destinations.
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Pandemic: A cooperative game where players work together to stop diseases spreading across the world.
Although these games have very different mechanics, they share a common feature: players follow a structured set of rules to achieve a particular objective. However, not every board game needs a traditional board. Some use cards, tiles or other components to create a playing area as the game progresses. The important thing is how the game is designed and played, rather than simply whether it comes with a large piece of cardboard!
What are tabletop games?
Tabletop games are a broader category of games designed to be played around a table or another shared playing surface. Board games fall under this umbrella, alongside several other types of games that don't necessarily involve a board at all. Tabletop gaming includes everything from competitive trading card games to miniature battles and collaborative roleplaying adventures. Each category offers a different way to play, making the hobby incredibly varied. Here are some of the main types of tabletop games.
Trading card games
Trading card games, often shortened to TCGs, involve collecting cards and using them to build decks for competitive or casual play. Cards can represent characters, creatures, spells, equipment and other abilities, depending on the game. Magic: The Gathering is one of the best-known examples. Players construct decks, manage their resources and use carefully chosen combinations of cards to defeat their opponents. Other popular examples include the Pokémon Trading Card Game and the One Piece Card Game. Unlike many traditional board games, trading card games often allow players to customise their decks, experiment with different strategies and collect new cards to change how they play.
Roleplaying games
Roleplaying games, or RPGs, let players take on fictional characters and create stories together. Rather than following a fixed path from start to finish, players make decisions that influence how their adventures unfold. Dungeons & Dragons is probably the most recognisable example. Players create characters, explore fantasy worlds, battle monsters and solve problems, with a Dungeon Master guiding the adventure. Dice are often used to determine the outcomes of actions, but imagination, storytelling and teamwork are just as important. These games can be particularly appealing if you enjoy creating characters, exploring fictional worlds and seeing where a story takes you.
Miniature wargames
Miniature wargames focus on tactical battles involving small figures, terrain and carefully planned movements. Players typically command armies or groups of units, using positioning, resource management and strategic decisions to outmanoeuvre their opponents. Warhammer 40,000 is a major example of this type of tabletop game. Players collect, assemble and paint miniature armies before taking them into battle against other players. These games can involve plenty of preparation, from building your collection to learning the rules and planning your army. For players who enjoy strategy, collecting and the visual side of the hobby, they offer a very different experience from a typical family board game.
Dice and party games
Dice games and party games are also part of the wider tabletop gaming world. Some focus on luck and quick decisions, while others challenge players to bluff, communicate or think on their feet. Games such as Yahtzee use dice as their central mechanic, while Coup challenges players to bluff their way through a tense contest of deception and deduction. They're often easy to introduce to new players, making them a great choice for social gatherings, game nights and anyone who wants something fun without spending ages learning the rules.
What's the difference between board games and tabletop games?
Now that we've covered the main categories, the distinction becomes much easier to understand. The biggest difference is scope. Board games are one specific type of game, whereas tabletop gaming includes several different formats and styles of play.
Here's a quick comparison.
| Feature | Board games | Tabletop games |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | A specific category of games | An umbrella term covering several categories |
| Components | Boards, tiles, cards, tokens and other pieces | May use boards, cards, dice, miniatures, character sheets or other components |
| Gameplay | Often built around a defined objective and turn structure | Can involve strategy, storytelling, collecting, roleplaying or tactical combat |
| Examples | Catan, Monopoly, Ticket to Ride | Board games, Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer 40,000 |
| Setup | Often involves preparing a board and arranging components | Varies from shuffling a deck to building a battlefield or preparing a campaign |
It's worth remembering that these aren't completely separate categories. A board game is also a tabletop game, so the terms overlap.
The distinction is most useful when talking about the hobby as a whole. Someone who says they enjoy tabletop gaming might be referring to board games, miniature wargames, roleplaying games, trading card games or a mixture of all four.
Which type of game should you try?
The great thing about tabletop gaming is that there's no single right way to enjoy it. The best place to start depends on what you want from your gaming experience. If you enjoy strategy and competition, board games such as Catan and Ticket to Ride offer plenty of opportunities to plan ahead, manage resources and outsmart your opponents. If you love collecting and customising, trading card games such as Magic: The Gathering and the Pokémon Trading Card Game let you build decks around your favourite cards and experiment with different strategies. If storytelling is more your thing, Dungeons & Dragons gives you the freedom to create characters, explore fantasy worlds and shape adventures alongside your friends. If you prefer tactical battles, miniature wargames such as Warhammer 40,000 combine strategic decision-making with collecting, modelling and painting. And if you simply want something quick and social, party games and bluffing games can be a brilliant way to bring a group together. You don't have to stick to one category, either. Plenty of tabletop gamers enjoy a mix of experiences, switching between a competitive card game one evening and a cooperative board game the next.
Are board games and tabletop games the same thing?
Not quite, but they're closely connected.
Board games are part of the tabletop gaming hobby, alongside trading card games, roleplaying games, miniature wargames and plenty of other formats. While board games often focus on structured objectives and defined mechanics, tabletop gaming as a whole offers a much wider variety of ways to play. Whether you're plotting your next move in a strategy game, building the perfect deck or embarking on an epic fantasy adventure, there's a tabletop game out there for just about everyone. The best way to discover your favourite? Gather some friends, pick something that sounds interesting and give it a go. You might find your next gaming obsession in a box you never expected!
