Retirement has a funny way of bringing play back into the day. After years of meetings, errands, and packed calendars, there is finally time again for the things that make an afternoon feel easy: a deck of cards on the kitchen table, a puzzle book in the recliner, or a friendly game that lasts just long enough to make you want another round.
And the best games in retirement are about more than passing the time. They keep minds active, routines social, and days a little more fun. This got us wondering: which games are Americans most interested in when it comes to retirement pastimes?
To find out, we analyzed Google Trends search interest across the U.S. over the past year for more than 20 popular games to play in retirement. Check out our map below to see which one is the most popular in your state.
The Most Popular Retiree Game in Every State
Sudoku and bocce ball tie as the most popular retiree games overall, each ranking first in seven states. Sudoku performs especially well across the Midwest, Northeast, and Pacific Northwest, while bocce ball has a wider spread, leading in states from California and Nevada to Pennsylvania and Alaska. Dominoes follows closely behind with six states, and Mahjong ranks first in five, with its strongest showing across the South and lower Midwest.
Pickleball also stands out. It leads four Western states—Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, and Utah—and is one of the few more active games near the top of a list otherwise dominated by cards, tiles, and puzzles. That suggests retirees are not only searching for traditional tabletop games, but also for games that combine light exercise with social play.
Several other games show clear regional loyalty. Euchre leads in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, reinforcing its long-standing Midwestern foothold. Checkers ranks first in Florida, Georgia, and Maryland, while Spades leads in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia. A few states also break from the broader patterns, including Bingo in Minnesota, Bridge in North Carolina, Canasta in New Jersey, and Pinochle in North Dakota.
The Overall Most Popular Games for Retirees
At the national level, the results are fairly close. Sudoku and bocce ball each lead seven states, followed by Dominoes with six and Mahjong with five. Pickleball ranks next with four states, while Checkers, Euchre, and Spades each lead three.
One of the clearest takeaways is how varied the map is. Rather than one or two games dominating the country, 18 different games rank first in at least one state. Card games remain strong, but puzzle games, lawn games, and tile-based games all perform well too. Overall, the results suggest that retiree interests are broad, with room for both long-time favorites and newer hobbies gaining traction.
Closing Thoughts
Retirement may mean stepping away from work, but it rarely means stepping away from play. If anything, it opens the door to old favorites, new routines, and more time for the people and hobbies that make life feel full. Whether that means a morning Sudoku, an afternoon of bocce ball, or a lively round of Dominoes with friends, the best retiree games offer more than entertainment. They bring connection, routine, and a little spark of joy to the day.
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Methodology
To determine the most popular retiree game in each state, we created a list of more than 20 popular games often played in retirement. Then, we analyzed Google Trends search interest over the past 12 months for all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. We identified the game with the highest search interest in each state, the most popular games overall based on how many states they led, and the top-searched game in each U.S. region.
Fair Use
You are welcome to use, reference, and share non-commercial excerpts of this study with proper attribution. If you cite or cover our findings, please link back to this page so readers can view the full methodology, charts, and context.
