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A deck of cards is one of the most versatile tools for fun, and with just 52 cards, you can enjoy a surprising amount of games with your friends. Whether you’re looking for something strategic, fast-paced, or just plain fun, there’s a card game for every type of group.
We’ve compiled a list of 21 popular card games, arranged from the most well-known to some lesser-known gems that are just as enjoyable.
1. Mao
Mao is a mysterious and often bewildering card game where the main rule is that no one tells you the rules. The fun lies in learning the game by observing and playing.
How to Play
Players are dealt a hand of cards, and the goal is to get rid of all your cards by following rules that are never explained outright. If a player breaks a rule or speaks when they shouldn’t, they receive a penalty card.
The only way to learn the rules is by trial and error, making the game both challenging and hilarious as everyone tries to figure out what they can and cannot do.
Click here for a more detailed Mao guide.
2. Palace
Palace is a strategic card game where players aim to get rid of all their cards while dealing with both face-up and face-down surprises. It requires careful planning and some luck.
How to Play
Players start with a combination of face-down, face-up, and hand cards. The goal is to play cards in ascending order to get rid of them, but face-down cards come with surprises as they must be played blindly. Strategic plays involve choosing which cards to use from your hand and managing difficult situations when no valid card can be played.
Click here for a more detailed Palace guide.
3. Kings in the Corner
Kings in the Corner is a competitive solitaire-style game that can be played with multiple players, adding a social twist to traditional solitaire gameplay.
How to Play
Players each start with a hand of cards and take turns playing them into the central layout. The goal is to build descending piles in alternating colors, similar to solitaire. Kings are placed in special corner spots, opening up new piles. The first player to get rid of all their cards wins, making strategy and careful planning essential.
Click here for a more detailed Kings in the Corner guide.
4. Thirty-One (Scat)
Thirty-One, also known as Scat, is a quick and easy-to-learn card game focused on achieving the highest hand value. It is popular in social settings due to its simple rules and engaging gameplay.
How to Play
Players are dealt three cards, and the goal is to reach a value of 31 or as close as possible in one suit. Players take turns drawing from the deck or discarding, trying to improve their hand. When a player thinks they have the highest value, they can “knock,” ending the round.
The player with the lowest hand value loses a life, and the game continues until only one player remains.
Click here for a more detailed Thirty-One guide.
5. Slapjack
Slapjack is a fast and energetic card game that relies heavily on quick reflexes. It’s simple to learn, making it great for both kids and adults.
How to Play
Players take turns flipping cards from their hand into a central pile. When a Jack is played, all players must try to be the first to slap the pile. The first player to do so wins the pile. The goal is to collect all the cards by slapping the Jacks before anyone else. If a player slaps a card that isn’t a Jack, they must give up a card as a penalty.
Click here for a more detailed Slapjack guide.
6. Old Maid
Old Maid is a light-hearted and classic matching game often played with children, with the goal of avoiding a specific card—the Old Maid.
How to Play
Players are dealt all the cards, and they take turns drawing from each other’s hands to form pairs. The goal is to match all cards in pairs and avoid being left with the unmatchable “Old Maid” card at the end. The player left holding the Old Maid loses the game.
Click here for a more detailed Old Maid guide.
7. Pinochle
Pinochle is a classic trick-taking card game that involves strategic melding and careful planning, typically played with a special deck or using a standard deck with multiple cards removed.
How to Play
Players are dealt a hand of cards, and the goal is to score points through both melding combinations (such as marriages, pinochles, and runs) and winning tricks. The game is usually played in teams, and players bid on how many points they think they can score. Successful melding and winning the correct number of tricks contribute to the team’s score, with the first team to reach the target score declared the winner.
Click here for a more detailed Pinochle guide.
8. Euchre
Euchre is a popular trick-taking card game often played in teams of two. It is well-known in certain regions, particularly in the Midwest of the United States, and is enjoyed for its partnership dynamics and strategic play.
How to Play
The game uses a deck of 24 cards (9 through Ace) or sometimes 32 cards (7 through Ace). Players bid to declare a trump suit, and then try to win tricks. The team that declares the trump suit must win the majority of the tricks to score points, while the opposing team tries to prevent this. The first team to reach the agreed-upon score (usually 10) wins the game.
Click here for a more detailed Euchre guide.
9. Speed
Speed is a fast-paced shedding card game for two players that tests reflexes and quick thinking. It is ideal for those who enjoy rapid, competitive play.
How to Play
Each player is dealt a hand of cards, with additional cards in a central stack. Players simultaneously place cards from their hand onto two central piles, following a numerical sequence either ascending or descending.
There are no turns—players race to get rid of their cards as quickly as possible. The first player to empty their hand wins the game, making quick decision-making and adaptability crucial.
Click here for a more detailed Speed guide.
10. Spoons
Spoons is a frantic and fun card game that involves a bit of luck and a lot of quick reflexes. It’s great for groups and often leads to laughter and chaos.
How to Play
Players sit in a circle and take turns passing cards to the left, trying to collect four of a kind. Once a player gets four matching cards, they grab a spoon from the center of the table. The other players must quickly grab a spoon as well. Since there is always one fewer spoon than players, the person left without a spoon is eliminated. The game continues until only one player remains.
Click here for a more detailed Spoons guide.
11. President (Asshole)
President, also known as Asshole, is a popular card game where players aim to get rid of their cards as quickly as possible to gain a higher social rank in the next round.
How to Play
Players are dealt a hand of cards, and they take turns playing sets of cards in ascending order. The first player to get rid of all their cards becomes the “President,” while the last player becomes the “Asshole.” In the next round, the President receives advantages, like getting rid of their worst cards and taking the Asshole’s best cards. The gameplay continues until players decide to stop, with social roles adding to the fun and competition.
Click here for a more detailed President guide.
12. War
War is a simple, fast-paced card game that is entirely based on luck, making it easy for anyone to play regardless of age or experience.
How to Play
The deck is divided evenly between the players, who keep their cards face down. Each player flips the top card of their deck simultaneously, and the player with the higher card takes both cards and adds them to the bottom of their pile. If there is a tie, a “war” is declared: each player places three cards face down and then a fourth card face up—the higher face-up card wins all the cards. The game continues until one player has all the cards, making them the winner.
Click here for a more detailed War guide.
13. Go Fish
Go Fish is a classic and simple card game that’s great for children and families. It helps improve memory and matching skills while being fun and easy to understand.
How to Play
Players are dealt a hand of cards, and the rest form a draw pile. Players take turns asking a specific opponent for a card they need to complete a set (e.g., “Do you have any threes?”). If the opponent has the requested card, they must give it to the asking player, who continues their turn. If not, they say “Go Fish,” and the player must draw from the pile.
The goal is to collect as many sets of four matching cards as possible. The player with the most sets at the end of the game wins.
Click here for a more detailed Go Fish guide.
14. Gin Rummy
Gin Rummy is a strategic two-player card game that is a variation of Rummy, focusing on forming melds and minimizing points left in hand.
How to Play
Players are each dealt ten cards, and they take turns drawing from either the deck or the discard pile. The goal is to form melds—either sets (three or four cards of the same rank) or runs (three or more consecutive cards of the same suit). Players try to reduce the number of unmelded cards (deadwood) in their hand.
When a player thinks they have minimized their deadwood, they can “knock,” and both players reveal their hands. The player with the lowest deadwood score wins the round, and the game continues until a set number of points is reached.
Click here for a more detailed Gin Rummy guide.
15. Crazy Eights
Crazy Eights is a fun and simple card game that is great for players of all ages. It is a shedding game where the goal is to be the first to get rid of all your cards.
How to Play
Players are dealt a hand of cards, and the remainder forms a draw pile. Players take turns playing a card that matches the rank or suit of the top card on the discard pile. Eights are wild cards and can be played on any card, allowing the player to declare a new suit. The first player to get rid of all their cards wins. If no playable card is available, players must draw from the pile until they can play.
Click here for a more detailed Crazy Eights guide.
16. Bridge
Bridge is a complex trick-taking game often played in serious tournaments. It requires a high level of strategy, communication, and teamwork, making it a favorite among experienced card players.
How to Play
Bridge is played with four players in two partnerships. The game starts with an auction (bidding) phase, where players bid to determine the contract and the trump suit. After the bidding, players try to win tricks based on the declared contract.
Successful communication between partners and anticipating opponents’ moves are key to winning in Bridge. The partnership that meets or exceeds their contract scores points, and the game continues until a pre-set score is reached.
Click here for a more detailed Bridge guide.
17. Spades
Spades is a partnership-based trick-taking game that requires cooperation, strategic planning, and communication between partners. It is particularly popular in social gatherings and tournaments.
How to Play
Spades is played with four players in two partnerships. Each player is dealt 13 cards, and players bid on the number of tricks they think their team can take during the round. The trump suit is always Spades, which outrank all other suits.
Players take turns playing cards, trying to win tricks by playing the highest card of the leading suit or by using a Spade if they don’t have any cards of the leading suit. The team that meets or exceeds their bid earns points, while failing to meet the bid results in a penalty.
Click here for a more detailed Spades guide.
18. Hearts
Hearts is a classic trick-taking card game where the goal is to avoid certain cards, especially those that carry penalty points. It is typically played with four players and is known for its blend of strategy and deception.
How to Play
Players are dealt 13 cards each. Before play begins, players pass three cards to an opponent. The player with the 2 of Clubs starts the first trick, and players must follow suit if possible. The objective is to avoid winning tricks that contain Hearts (each worth one penalty point) and the Queen of Spades (worth 13 penalty points). The game continues until one player reaches or exceeds 100 points, at which point the player with the lowest score wins.
Click here for a more detailed Hearts guide.
19. Rummy
Rummy is a popular card game that focuses on forming sets or runs. It is easy to learn and can be played with two or more players, making it great for family gatherings or friendly competitions.
How to Play
Players are dealt a hand of cards, and the remainder forms a draw pile. Players take turns drawing from either the draw pile or discard pile and then discarding a card. The objective is to form melds, which are either sets (three or four cards of the same rank) or runs (three or more consecutive cards of the same suit).
When a player forms all their cards into melds, they declare “Rummy” and win the round. The game can be played to a set score, with points awarded based on the unmelded cards left in opponents’ hands.
Click here for a more detailed Rummy guide.
20. Poker (Texas Hold’em, Five Card Draw)
Poker is a classic card game that has maintained worldwide popularity, particularly in its betting dynamics and competitive play. It comes in various forms, with Texas Hold’em and Five Card Draw being among the most popular variations.
How to Play
In Texas Hold’em, each player is dealt two private cards, and five community cards are dealt face-up as the game progresses. Betting occurs in four rounds, and players can fold, call, or raise based on the strength of their hand. In Five Card Draw, each player is dealt five cards and has the opportunity to exchange some or all of their cards for new ones, followed by a round of betting. The goal in both games is to form the highest-ranking hand possible and win the pot through betting strategy or having the best hand.
For a more detailed guide on how to play Texas Hold’em, check out this guide by Poker News.
21. Blackjack
Blackjack is a fast-paced and popular card game where players try to get as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. It is a staple in casinos worldwide and is easy to learn but difficult to master.
How to Play
Players are dealt two cards and can choose to “hit” (take another card) or “stand” (keep their current total). The goal is to reach a hand value of 21 or as close as possible without going over, while also beating the dealer’s hand. Face cards are worth 10 points, Aces are worth 1 or 11, and all other cards are worth their face value. The dealer must hit until they reach at least 17. If a player exceeds 21, they “bust” and lose the round.
A deck of cards can transform any gathering into hours of fun. Whether you’re in the mood for a strategic battle like Poker or a quick and light-hearted game like Go Fish, there’s something here for everyone. From luck-based games to those requiring careful planning and teamwork, this list of 21 card games provides a wide variety of options to suit any group dynamic.
Grab a deck, invite some friends, and dive into these classic card games. We hope this guide helps you discover new favorites and rekindle old ones. If we missed any great card games, feel free to share them in the comments!
