The table-flip is a rite of passage for many tabletop gamers, but new data suggests that the culprit isn’t always the game you’d expect. While Monopoly has a long-standing reputation for ruining family gatherings, a recent analysis of community sentiment on Reddit reveals that high-stakes strategy and social deduction are the real drivers of tabletop friction.
The research, conducted by Graham Scutt and the team at Loaded Dice, utilised Reddit’s vast archives of player anecdotes to rank games based on their “Argument Impact Score.” By tracking mentions of conflict alongside community upvotes, the study identified which titles are most likely to turn a friendly evening into a cold war.
The Heavy Hitters of Hostility
Topping the list is Diplomacy, a game notorious in geek circles for requiring players to forge—and inevitably break—alliances. Unlike many modern Euros that favour “multiplayer solitaire” mechanics, Diplomacy relies entirely on negotiation. It’s a game where a single lie can resonate for years of real-world friendship.
Surprisingly, Monopoly only secured the second spot. While its player elimination and “house rule” baggage are legendary for causing stress, it was outperformed in the “argument stakes” by the pure, unadulterated betrayal inherent in Diplomacy. Risk and Settlers of Catan followed closely, proving that even a quest for wood and sheep can escalate into a shouting match if the trading floor gets too heated.
The Board Games Most Likely To Cause Arguments
| Rank | Game | Argument Impact Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diplomacy | 10.45 |
| 2 | Monopoly | 8.75 |
| 3 | Risk | 7.85 |
| 4 | Settlers of Catan | 7.70 |
| 5 | Twilight Imperium | 3.50 |
| 6 | Game of Thrones: The Board Game | 3.40 |
| 7 | Axis and Allies | 2.10 |
| 8 | Cosmic Encounter | 1.80 |
| 9 | Root | 1.50 |
| 10 | Hot Takes | 1.10 |
Source: Loaded Dice
Romance and Rivalry: A Valentine’s Warning
With Valentine’s Day tomorrow, many couples will be looking for a cosy night in. However, the data provides a stark warning: 42.7% of players admit to clashing with their romantic partners over a board game. When you consider that over half of us have argued about a game at least once, that box of chocolates might not be enough to mend a rift caused by a poorly-timed backstab in Twilight Imperium.
Graham Scutt, Director at Loaded Dice, told press:
Certain board games are famously competitive, but some are almost guaranteed to spark debate at the table. Games like Diplomacy and Risk require alliances and sometimes betrayal, which might be why Reddit users consistently report arguments. That tension can be fun for strategic players, but for couples or casual players, it’s definitely a game-night warning.”
If you’re looking to keep the peace tomorrow, perhaps consider a cooperative title from DriveThruRPG instead, where you can roleplaying as a team rather than rivals.
Why We Fight: The Mechanics of Misery
The research highlights that the core of the conflict often lies in the mechanics of betrayal and territorial aggression. The list includes “heavy” titles like Game of Thrones: The Board Game and Root. These are games with massive time investments, often upwards of six hours, which naturally raise the temperature. According to Graham‘s analysis, it is this requirement for alliances and the inevitable betrayal that follows that fuels the arguments reported on Reddit. When a day-long alliance ends in a betrayal during the final round, the resulting fallout is often more than just a mechanical setback; it’s a narrative heartbreak.
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