A Therapist’s Guide to the Best Couples Card Games: 5 Tools for Deeper Intimacy
Looking to deepen your connection with your partner beyond the surface level? You’re not alone. At Our Kind, we believe emotional intimacy is the glue that holds modern love together. Whether you're navigating the early stages of dating, reigniting passion in a long-term relationship, or simply craving more meaningful moments, these five couples card games offer more than just small talk. They offer a mirror, a bridge, and sometimes, a needed nudge.
As a therapist and founder who works with founders, creatives, and couples in high-achieving, fast-paced lives, I’ve tried dozens of tools to help partners slow down and tune in. These are the ones I keep reaching for—each one with a unique vibe, flavor, and depth. Below is my therapist-curated breakdown of the best couples card games for building intimacy, including pros, cons, and who should play.
1. Where Should We Begin? A Game of Stories – by Esther Perel
Producer: Esther Perel
Vibe: Story-driven, nostalgic, and emotionally rich.
Pros:
Created by renowned psychotherapist Esther Perel, this deck taps into the power of storytelling.
Perfect for couples who love introspection and want to understand the roots of their behaviors.
Cards are thought-provoking without being confrontational.
Cons:
Can feel deep and intense for newer couples.
Not ideal for fast-paced or “light” game nights.
Best for: Couples who want to understand each other’s pasts, attachment styles, and relationship patterns on a deeper level.
2. In Tune – by Rythm
Producer: In Tune questions have been crowd-sourced by marriage & relationships therapists, coaches, and experts.
Vibe: Playful, sensual, and energetically aware.
Pros:
Created by intimacy experts and designed with embodiment, boundaries, and playful tension in mind.
Structured to create relationship progression from childhood to future question prompts.
Comes with a curated mix of prompts, rituals, and physical cues to get couples out of their heads and into their bodies.
Inclusive and queer-friendly.
Cons:
Some prompts may feel edgy if you're not yet comfortable with vulnerability or sensuality.
Works best when both partners are present and not distracted.
Best for: Couples exploring touch, attraction, and energetic connection. Ideal for date nights that feel more like rituals than routines. Can be paired well with couples therapy.
3. Intimacy Deck – by BestSelf Co.
Producer: BestSelf Co.
Vibe: Direct, well-rounded, and emotionally accessible.
Pros:
Divided into categories: Past, Life, Intimacy, Relationship, and About You.
Easy to jump into, great for couples of all stages.
Designed for structured, non-triggering conversations.
Cons:
Some questions may feel overly “safe” or repetitive over time.
Less depth in body-based or sensual connection.
Best for: Couples new to communication tools or looking to build emotional intimacy one question at a time, especially helpful after a busy week.
4. We’re Not Really Strangers
Producer: WNRS
Vibe: Instagram-forward, emotionally raw, and introspective.
Pros:
Beautifully designed and emotionally potent.
Structured to create a progression—from surface to soul.
Includes a final “dig deeper” wild card that builds vulnerability.
Cons:
Initially designed for strangers, so not all questions are optimized for long-term couples.
Some prompts can trigger if not handled with care.
Best for: Couples who want to shake things up, reignite mystery, or use game mechanics to create safe vulnerability. Works especially well when you're feeling emotionally distant and want to bridge back.
5. Let’s Fucking Date – by Serena Kerrigan
Producer: Serena Kerrigan
Vibe: Sassy, bold, and unapologetically real
Pros:
Fast, flirty, and fearless, perfect for high-energy date nights.
Great icebreaker for newer couples or situationships.
Includes some laugh-out-loud prompts and spicy questions.
Cons:
Lighter on emotional depth and reflection.
May not satisfy deeper conversations or therapeutic exploration.
Best for: Couples who want to keep it sexy, sassy, and fun. Perfect for cocktails and low-pressure vibes.
Final Thoughts: Which Couples Card Game Should You Choose?
If you're craving:
Emotional depth + storytelling → Esther Perel’s Where Should We Begin
Embodied intimacy + play → In Tune by Rythm
Structured, everyday connection → BestSelf Intimacy Deck
Vulnerability with an edge → We’re Not Really Strangers
Flirty and fun nights in → Let’s Fucking Date
As a therapist and intimacy coach, I often remind my clients: the tool matters, but the intention matters more. Choose the deck that matches your energy and relationship season, not just the one trending on TikTok.
Want personalized guidance on deepening your relationship or reigniting emotional intimacy?
Book a free discovery call with one of our licensed therapists here.
Written by Alaina Malik, LMHC.