Hi there
Is the phrase "thanks for the game" a phrase you normally use in English?
As always, it depends on context!
If you have just finished a sports game/match against an opponent (or against another team) then you can say "Thanks for the game".
If someone gives you a board game (Monopoly etc) or something similar as a present then you could also say it.
What context did you have in mind?
It is in the context when you have just finished a game for instance a board game like chess, to like say thank you playing with me and this was a nice game.
But I kind of think you have already answered my question in your first post. So thanks for the answer![]()
In AmE "thanks for the game" is often used after a "pick-up" game of some sort. For example, you and a few friends are dribbling a basketball and shooting baskets on a public court but there aren't enough players to actually play a regulation game. A group of passers-by see you and ask "Want to get up a game?" and you agree. Now you've got enough players to form two teams and play a regulation game of basketball. When you're done playing, you would typically tell the newcomers "thanks for the game."