Video calls with just faces get boring fast. Adding a game transforms a routine call into an actual shared experience. The best video call games run in a separate browser tab — everyone has their own view, no screen sharing needed, and the game enhances conversation instead of replacing it.

How It Works

  1. Stay on your video call (Zoom, FaceTime, Teams, Google Meet — whatever you use)
  2. Open a game in a browser tab at Rare Pike
  3. Share the room link in the video call’s chat
  4. Everyone clicks to join in their own browser
  5. Play and talk — the game and video call run side by side

No screen sharing. No downloads. No accounts. Takes about 30 seconds to set up.

Best Games for Video Calls

Hearts — The Conversation Game

Hearts is the best game for video calls because the pace is perfect for talking. Each trick takes a few seconds, there are natural pauses for conversation, and the Queen of Spades creates moments that everyone reacts to. Four players, 15-20 minutes.

Video call bonus: The card passing phase at the start generates immediate conversation (“I passed you something nice… or did I?”).

Play Hearts →

Yatzy — Zero Learning Curve

Yatzy uses dice that everybody understands immediately. Roll, keep, reroll, score. The pace is relaxed enough for conversation, and the scoring decisions create shared moments (“Go for the Yatzy!”). 2-4 players, 15 minutes.

Video call bonus: Dice rolls are inherently exciting. Everyone watches and reacts together.

Play Yatzy →

Spades — For the Competitive Group

Spades adds partnership play to your video call. Two teams of two, bidding tricks, and trying to hit your target. The partnership dynamic creates natural conversation and coordination — exactly what video calls usually lack.

Video call bonus: Partners strategize and celebrate together. Cross-talk between teams is half the fun.

Play Spades →

Connect Four — The Quick Game

Connect Four takes 5 minutes and is perfect for pairs waiting for others to join the call, or for a quick game at the end of a meeting. Simple enough to play while actively talking.

Video call bonus: Fast enough to play as a warm-up without derailing the conversation.

Play Connect Four →

Euchre — Fast Partnership Fun

Euchre is Spades compressed into 5-minute hands. The Bower system creates exciting moments, and the short rounds mean you can fit several hands into a 30-minute call. Great for groups that want team play without committing to a long game.

Video call bonus: Short hands keep the energy up and conversation flowing.

Play Euchre →

Checkers — Simple Board Game

Checkers is the board game that works best on video calls. Two players, no hidden information (so the occasional glance at the screen is fine), and games take 10-20 minutes. Perfect while catching up with a friend.

Video call bonus: No hidden cards means less screen attention needed — more time looking at each other.

Play Checkers →

Gin Rummy — 2-Player Card Game

Gin Rummy is ideal for 2-person video calls. The draw-discard rhythm creates a natural game pace, and strategy decisions are individual (no partnership coordination needed). 10-15 minutes per game.

Video call bonus: Perfect rhythm of action and conversation for 2 people.

Play Gin Rummy →

Battleship — Nostalgic Fun

Battleship works great on video calls because the guessing game naturally generates conversation. “B4!” “Miss!” The hidden grids give each player something to look at independently, and the format is universally understood.

Video call bonus: The call-and-response format (“C7!” “Hit!”) is made for voice chat.

Play Battleship →

Best By Platform

Platform Recommendation Why
Zoom Hearts, Yatzy Open game in browser alongside Zoom window
FaceTime Gin Rummy, Checkers Best 2-player games for phone/tablet calls
Google Meet Spades, Euchre Game link shares easily in Meet chat
Teams Hearts, Connect Four Easy tab-switching in desktop app
Discord Any game Play as Discord Activities in voice channels

Best By Group Size

Group Best Games Time
2 people Gin Rummy, Chess, Battleship 10-30 min
3 people Hearts (3-player), Yatzy 15-20 min
4 people Hearts, Spades, Euchre 15-30 min
5+ people Tournament bracket, Bingo 20-45 min

Tips for Gaming on Video Calls

  1. Split your screen — game on one half, video call on the other. Most video call apps support picture-in-picture mode too.
  2. Send the game link in chat before explaining rules. Let people see the game while you describe it.
  3. Start with a game everyone knows — Hearts, Checkers, or Yatzy. Save unfamiliar games for the group’s second game night.
  4. Keep it optional. Some people prefer to watch. That’s fine — spectating and commenting is part of the fun.
  5. On mobile? FaceTime or Zoom on one device, the game in a browser on another device works best. Or use split-screen mode.

Every game here is free at Rare Pike and works in any modern browser. Pick a game, share the link on your next video call, and turn a regular conversation into a shared experience.