Paper and pencil games are an excellent way to waste time. Most of them have very simple rules, and are very easy to pick up. Nonetheless, many of them contain some deep strategy, and can be played many times without losing their appeal. They also have the advantage that they can be played almost anywhere with very little equipment.

As well as the classics like boxes and tic-tac-toe (also known as noughts and crosses), there are many that are less well known, like