Among my favorite childhood memories are many a “late night” card game session of War, Slapjack, Kings in the Corner and Spoons. I don’t know how late it really was, but the lights were on, it’s dark outside, and my Grandmother had some serious skills at shuffling the deck. Of course, now there are plenty of online versions, but there’s still nothing like physically playing card games and spending a little time with family and friends. Away from the computer screen.

But let’s be honest: there comes a point when you’ve exhausted all the favorite card games and you just need to discover how to play new ones, or at least new variations. We’re here for you. Below you’ll find tons of popular card games ranging from simple to more advanced. One deck, two decks, one player, many players, popular card games and even family card games. You name it. We have it.

But just in case we are missing one: Reach out and tell us!

Every popular card game you ever wanted to play

Anaconda

Also known as Pass the Trash. This poker game has three rounds of discards, but your unwanted cards end up in the hands of your opponents. The best five-card hand wins. Get rules.

Basic Poker

Stud and draw poker games are the basis for many poker games played on home tables and casino felts all over the world. Get rules.

Blackjack

At its heart, this casino classic is a simple game of addition with some rudimentary elements of strategy to keep it fun. Players try to beat the dealer by getting close to 21 points without going over. Get rules.

Casino

Capture the cards from the center by matching or building. Earn points by having the majority of the cards, the majority of the spades, and for every Ace. Get rules.

Concentration

Also known as Memory or Pairs. This is a matching game of memory and outsmarting your opponent. Get rules.

Crazy Eights

If you don’t have a deck of Uno cards, this game is a great alternative. Play a card that matches the number or suit of the previously played card. Eights are wild. Get rules.

Egyptian Ratscrew

Also known as Egyptian War. This oddly-named game requires concentration and lightning-fast reflexes. The fastest way to accumulate the most cards is to slap the stack when two card of the same rank are played. Get rules.

Euchre

This game uses only the highest 24 cards from a deck. Two-person teams try to take tricks and beat the opponent to 11 points. Get rules.

Gin Rummy

Sometimes just called Gin, this quicker, simpler version of Rummy is a classic family favorite. Players hold  their cards in their hands until someone discards face down, often declaring “Gin!” Get rules.

Go Fish

Some of your youngest card players can play this simple game. Players ask each other for cards, and if you don’t have what they are looking for, you tell them to “go fish.” Get rules.

Hearts

In this twist on trick-taking games, players want to have the fewest points by taking fewer tricks. Don’t get stuck with the Queen of Spades. She carries a stiff penalty! Get rules.

I Doubt It

Also known as B.S. and Cheat. All play their cards face down and tell the group what they are playing. Don’t believe someone? Call out, “I Doubt it!” Get rules.

Indian Poker

Each player gets one card facing out from his own forehead. Base the strength of your card on the relative strength of your opponents’. Get rules.

Kings in the Corner

This game plays like solitaire but the action is competitive and challenges your brain to keep track of all the cards. Kings are the only cards that can be played in the corners of the cross-shaped playing surface. Get rules.

Ninety-Nine

Adults and kids of all ages love to play this game of strategic arithmetic. Keep the total below 99 points or lose one of your precious tokens. Get rules.

Old Maid

Sometimes called Odd One Out. Pull cards from each other’s hands, trying to make pairs. The player left with the unmatchable Old Maid loses. Get rules.

Rummy

Make runs (10♣, J♣, Q♣, K♣) and sets (5♠, 5♥, 5♣) to get rid of the cards in your hand. Slam down your winning melds, and declare “Rummy!” Get rules.

Rummy 500

Also known as 500 Rum and Persian Rummy. This popular version of Rummy employs more cards per player and allows for more players. It’s a race to see who can get to 500 points. Get rules.

Slapjack

Also known as Snap. Great for young children and family game nights, this crazy game is as simple as its name. See a Jack? Slap it! Get rules.

Spades

The trump suit is always the same in this trick-taking game. Use the power of your Spades to take the most tricks for your team. Get rules.

Spit

Also known as Speed or Slam. Forget taking turns! Two players use quick thinking and fast fingers to try and win this game. Players shout, “Spit!” and off they go. Get rules.

Spoons

Also known as Pig. Players quickly pass cards around the table in this wild, fast-paced card game. Don’t be left without a spoon! Get rules.

War

Kids love this simple game that requires no strategic ability. The cards fly back and forth quickly, everything depends upon the luck of the draw, and the game takes a long time. What’s not to love? Get rules.

Whist

In this classic trick-taking card game, you and your partner attempt to win more tricks than your opponents. Get rules.

Card games are timeless fun for the whole family. The Ultimate Book of Card Games, by Scott McNeely, is sure to offer fun to all ages, households and people who have a pack of cards and time to kill. Get this perfect gift for the game lover in your life here.

More:
Indoor Games | Outdoor Games | Pen and Paper Games

•September 1, 2019