Popular Games AZ Illustrated
Here is an AZ collection of games that people enjoy playing - part of a Pastimes series of pages.
These are generally activities that do not fit into a sporting or active category but tend to be quiet and peaceful ways to pass the time. Playing games to keep the brain active, be social with friends and occupy evenings or bad weather days.
There is sometimes debate over exactly what is a sport or a game. Some of those on this page have either argued to be treated as sports or are now included in that category. It is not always clear how seriously a game should be treated.
The illustrations and comment are for a fun respectful look at the game involved - equipment and players. Sometimes it is hard to immediately see the appeal of a certain game but they all have their fanbase and enthusiasts.
All you need are willing participants, then game on until game over!
These are generally activities that do not fit into a sporting or active category but tend to be quiet and peaceful ways to pass the time. Playing games to keep the brain active, be social with friends and occupy evenings or bad weather days.
There is sometimes debate over exactly what is a sport or a game. Some of those on this page have either argued to be treated as sports or are now included in that category. It is not always clear how seriously a game should be treated.
The illustrations and comment are for a fun respectful look at the game involved - equipment and players. Sometimes it is hard to immediately see the appeal of a certain game but they all have their fanbase and enthusiasts.
All you need are willing participants, then game on until game over!
AFK - Away From Keyboard
Pity the poor gamer who has to spend time away from their keyboard. That's the meaning of the acronym AFK signifying a reluctant attendance in the theatre of real life.
AFK Gifts >>
Backgammon
A fun two player game involving strategy and dice - backgammon is like the thinking mans Ludo.
Ideal for gambling or whiling away the time - a backgammon board is a welcome occupant of many family games cupboards.
Ideal for gambling or whiling away the time - a backgammon board is a welcome occupant of many family games cupboards.
Backgammon Gifts >>
Beer Pong
Beer pong is a drinking game involving teams of people, plastic cups and lots of beer.
Arrange the plastic cups at each end of a table.
Organise the teams.
Take turns throwing a ping-pong ball (that's the pong part) into the opponents beer (that's the beer bit).
If you land your ball in the cup the opponent has to drink it.
A fun ice-breaker for freshers at university and to get the party started. In the picture our worse for the wear player is leaning on the table and aiming into the nearest cup.
Arrange the plastic cups at each end of a table.
Organise the teams.
Take turns throwing a ping-pong ball (that's the pong part) into the opponents beer (that's the beer bit).
If you land your ball in the cup the opponent has to drink it.
A fun ice-breaker for freshers at university and to get the party started. In the picture our worse for the wear player is leaning on the table and aiming into the nearest cup.
Beer Pong Gifts >>
Cards
Playing card games. Bridge, gin rummy, patience and the big one - poker.
Card Playing Poker Aces Gifts >>
Chess
Chess requires no dice, no cards, no popamatic contraption and no gimmicks. It is simply a set of pieces, a board and a lifetime of interest and improvement.
From a very young age learning what the different pieces can do, understanding simple openings and strategy, and the endless opportunity to test yourself against opponents from all over the world.
From a very young age learning what the different pieces can do, understanding simple openings and strategy, and the endless opportunity to test yourself against opponents from all over the world.
Chess Gifts >>
Cornhole
Throw the sack into the hole. Take turns with friends. Keep scores.
That's cornhole. A popular fun way to spend some time.
That's cornhole. A popular fun way to spend some time.
Cornhole Stickman Gifts >>
Crosswords
A solitary pursuit to pass the time and exercise your mind.
I Love Crossword Puzzle Gifts >>
Croquet
It is probably fair to classify croquet as a game rather than a sport.
It does involve a little light exertion and some equipment but is mostly a gentle relaxation.
You need hoops, mallets and balls and a reasonably flat grass lawn.
A summers day helps.
It does involve a little light exertion and some equipment but is mostly a gentle relaxation.
You need hoops, mallets and balls and a reasonably flat grass lawn.
A summers day helps.
Croquet Gifts >>
Dice
Many games involve rolling dice to add an element of uncertainty.
Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly, Ludo - an endless list of dice rolling and pieces being moved around a board.
Dice themselves can be enough for a game. Gambling on dice, playing poker or liar dice - great fun.
Don't wager money if someone says the dice are loaded.
Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly, Ludo - an endless list of dice rolling and pieces being moved around a board.
Dice themselves can be enough for a game. Gambling on dice, playing poker or liar dice - great fun.
Don't wager money if someone says the dice are loaded.
Roll the Dice Gifts >>
Dominoes
A box of tiles with numbers indicated by dots.
The idea being to draw a set of tiles and play off against others by placing an end of the domino that matches a piece on the table.
By careful analysis of the game and tiles that have been played the aim is to ensure you can play all your tiles - and the opponents are blocked.
The idea being to draw a set of tiles and play off against others by placing an end of the domino that matches a piece on the table.
By careful analysis of the game and tiles that have been played the aim is to ensure you can play all your tiles - and the opponents are blocked.
Eight Ball Pool
8 Ball Pool is truly the ultimate bar game. Ideal for posing around the table, cue in hand, shot planned, while still able to take in the delights around the bar.
A chance to drink while waiting your turn and then the possibility of playing the best shot of the night, something to remember as you walk unsteadily home. If only it had been televised.
A chance to drink while waiting your turn and then the possibility of playing the best shot of the night, something to remember as you walk unsteadily home. If only it had been televised.
Eight Ball Pool Gifts >>
eSports
eSports or online gaming is what probably used to be called computer games. With the advent of high-speed connectivity it is possible to play opponents from anywhere in the world in real time.
The games are better now - graphics, speed, quality - and the essence of the computer game thrill is made more engaging thanks to the internet.
Money is entering the market. From companies needing to improve their hardware and software for the gaming market through to advertisers who see a prime young market to sell to.
People watch the best gamers playing in the same way they might have once watched football.
The games are better now - graphics, speed, quality - and the essence of the computer game thrill is made more engaging thanks to the internet.
Money is entering the market. From companies needing to improve their hardware and software for the gaming market through to advertisers who see a prime young market to sell to.
People watch the best gamers playing in the same way they might have once watched football.
eSports Gifts >>
Foosball or Table Football
Table soccer, foos, fussball - the ultimate table top game.
Eleven soccer players per side plus two humans, a supply of balls and an array of tricks and skills to learn.
Shots like the snake shot, front pin, pull, push kick - even the old back pin from the Tournament Soccer days.
Foosball is a brilliant game to play for enjoyment with friends for fun or rivals for cash at tournaments. A competitive sport that doesn't quite have sport recognition.
Too fast for TV screens but great for players!
Eleven soccer players per side plus two humans, a supply of balls and an array of tricks and skills to learn.
Shots like the snake shot, front pin, pull, push kick - even the old back pin from the Tournament Soccer days.
Foosball is a brilliant game to play for enjoyment with friends for fun or rivals for cash at tournaments. A competitive sport that doesn't quite have sport recognition.
Too fast for TV screens but great for players!
Foosball Table Football Gifts >>
Frisbee
The ultimate beach bum hippy slacker style game?
Frisbee involves throwing a plastic aero dynamic disc between friends with no competitive element at all.
The idea being to gently soak up some rays and chill out.
Of course people being what they are there are those who have to throw it the best and catch it the best and so on - but the idea is gentle do nothing relaxation.
Frisbee involves throwing a plastic aero dynamic disc between friends with no competitive element at all.
The idea being to gently soak up some rays and chill out.
Of course people being what they are there are those who have to throw it the best and catch it the best and so on - but the idea is gentle do nothing relaxation.
Frisbee Flying Disc Gifts >>
Gaming
During lockdown 2020 the Gaming industry expanded even more rapidly. One of the few businesses to benefit from worldwide lockdowns where the only thing to do seemed to be computer games.
Game playing was already on a roll and with children off school and adults off work for extended periods, the boom was guaranteed.
Gaming Gifts >>
Jigsaw Puzzles
Jigsaws are an absorbing way to pass the time.
No dice or leaping about involved - simply a box of pieces that fit together to form a picture.
Some jigsaws are an afternoon entertainment on a wet day - others have thousands of pieces and require much longer to complete.
No dice or leaping about involved - simply a box of pieces that fit together to form a picture.
Some jigsaws are an afternoon entertainment on a wet day - others have thousands of pieces and require much longer to complete.
Puzzling Gifts >>
Keep Calm Jigsaw Puzzle Gifts >>
Lawn Bowls
Lawn bowls is a gentle paced game or sport that can be played at any age.
Typically more senior citizens that play this long after they have given up with the more frenetic activities of younger days.
An amazingly well kept piece of lawn is required to enable the bowls to roll true. The bowls can be weighted to have bias and give a curve to the shot. The idea being to get as close to the jack - the little white ball - as possible.
A social side for players to meet, chat and play bowls makes this an ideal pursuit for those who want to stay fit, happy and healthy.
Crown Green bowls is similar but the playing surface is slightly convex, crowned or uneven to add a little spice and uncertainty.
Typically more senior citizens that play this long after they have given up with the more frenetic activities of younger days.
An amazingly well kept piece of lawn is required to enable the bowls to roll true. The bowls can be weighted to have bias and give a curve to the shot. The idea being to get as close to the jack - the little white ball - as possible.
A social side for players to meet, chat and play bowls makes this an ideal pursuit for those who want to stay fit, happy and healthy.
Crown Green bowls is similar but the playing surface is slightly convex, crowned or uneven to add a little spice and uncertainty.
Lawn Bowls Gifts >>
Magician
Magic is a fun way to amuse yourself or long-suffering friends with tricks you can learn from books, the internet or self-created.
It can be a hobby leading to a career in magic at entertainment venues.
Kids parties are a popular place to show off magic tricks on the route to a top billing at a Vegas theatre.
It can be a hobby leading to a career in magic at entertainment venues.
Kids parties are a popular place to show off magic tricks on the route to a top billing at a Vegas theatre.
Magician Gifts >>
MLG - Major League Gamer
Major League Gamer. Fancy a career playing video games for money? All well and good if you're just beating your Dad or your kid brother. But there are some crazy good players out there.
I created a trophy style design in case you know one.
MLG - Major League Gamer Gifts >>
Noughts and Crosses
One of the simplest pen and paper games.
A 9 space grid drawn with four straight lines - two up and two down.
Take turns marking X and O to try to complete a line of three.
Unless your opponent makes a mistake there is no way to win this game as famously illustrated in the movie War Games.
Also called tic-tac-toe.
A 9 space grid drawn with four straight lines - two up and two down.
Take turns marking X and O to try to complete a line of three.
Unless your opponent makes a mistake there is no way to win this game as famously illustrated in the movie War Games.
Also called tic-tac-toe.
Tic-tac-toe Gifts >>
Petanque
Petanque, boules or bocce is a bit like playing giant marbles.
A single jack is thrown and the players take it in turns to get as close to the jack as possible.
Has the advantage over lawn bowls of not needing a manicured piece of grass to play on.
A single jack is thrown and the players take it in turns to get as close to the jack as possible.
Has the advantage over lawn bowls of not needing a manicured piece of grass to play on.
Petanque Gifts >>
Poker
Poker is the ultimate card game. The element of bluff and a poker face added to the luck of the draw make it an exciting game to play.
With good friends and some poker chips a great deal of fun can be had.
A friendly game of poker is a great reason to stay up into the small hours of the night - talking, playing and drinking.
With good friends and some poker chips a great deal of fun can be had.
A friendly game of poker is a great reason to stay up into the small hours of the night - talking, playing and drinking.
Poker Player Gifts >>
A Pair Of Aces Gifts >>
Snooker
Snooker, billiards, pool are all games rather than sports. People can wear a bow-tie for example which is not something you see often in the track and field events.
Supporters will say it combines many elements of 'proper' sport - competition, skill, pressure. The definition of real sports arguably requires physical exertion as well.
As a former snooker, pool and billiards player who enjoyed many... many hours... of learning and playing the game - I can honestly vouch for it as an endlessly pleasurable experience.
Practicing, socialising, competing with the gentle click-clack of balls hitting each other and a quiet murmur in the background makes for a top quality pastime.
Supporters will say it combines many elements of 'proper' sport - competition, skill, pressure. The definition of real sports arguably requires physical exertion as well.
As a former snooker, pool and billiards player who enjoyed many... many hours... of learning and playing the game - I can honestly vouch for it as an endlessly pleasurable experience.
Practicing, socialising, competing with the gentle click-clack of balls hitting each other and a quiet murmur in the background makes for a top quality pastime.
Snooker Gifts >>
Ten Pin Bowling
A leisure pursuit for the whole family, friends, work colleagues, evenings out.
"Let's go bowling" is a fun activity. Hire a lane, borrow some shoes and choose the right weight or size bowling ball.
For amateurs there is the occasional excitement of a STRIKE - where all ten pins are knocked down with a single bowl.
"Let's go bowling" is a fun activity. Hire a lane, borrow some shoes and choose the right weight or size bowling ball.
For amateurs there is the occasional excitement of a STRIKE - where all ten pins are knocked down with a single bowl.
Ten Pin Bowling Gifts >>
Winning
In most games with a few exceptions there is a winner. This element of competition adds an edge to the activity. We learn through playing how to accept winning, and losing. Important lessons.
The taking part is also important. Get stuck in, do something, have some fun.
Despite numerous and ongoing attempts to remove the pain of competition humans will always, mostly, want to compete. So celebrate winning!
The taking part is also important. Get stuck in, do something, have some fun.
Despite numerous and ongoing attempts to remove the pain of competition humans will always, mostly, want to compete. So celebrate winning!
Winner Gifts >>
Game Over
On reviewing this page I can see several entries that are almost certainly candidates for sports, rather than games activities. A situation that will be rectified at some point. Perhaps they can be in Games AND Sports.
Whatever category they belong in, these activities are all fun to take part in. Apart from Monopoly, but I didn't draw that.
It's not so much fun stopping and returning to Real Life.
Thanks for playing.
Created by Mark Ewbie, Last Updated: October 18, 2025.
Game Over Gifts >>