Card Games – Play Cards

Welcome to the ultimate collection of card games, a treasure trove for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. This guide dives deep into the world of card games, offering something for everyone. From solitary pursuits to social gatherings, strategic challenges to luck-based fun, card games span a vast array of styles, complexities, and themes. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your mind with a game of Solitaire, engage in a competitive duel of Gin Rummy, or simply have a laugh with friends over a round of Cards Against Humanity, you’ll find your next favorite game here.

Our guide is meticulously organized into categories to help you navigate through the rich diversity of card games. We start with “Free Card Games,” accessible classics that require nothing more than a standard deck of cards and can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime. Moving on, we delve into “2 Player Card Games” and “3 Player Card Games,” highlighting games that are perfect for intimate gatherings or when you’re short on players but still crave engaging competition.

For those looking to add a playful twist to their social events, “Drinking Card Games” offer a blend of traditional card play with drinking rules, ensuring a lively atmosphere. Meanwhile, “Adult Card Games” cater to a more mature audience, combining strategic gameplay with themes and humor suited for adult parties and game nights.

Each game entry is detailed with objectives and rules, providing a clear understanding of how to play and win. Whether you’re a seasoned card shark or a curious novice ready to explore the world of card games, this guide promises endless hours of entertainment and challenge. So shuffle the deck, deal the cards, and let the games begin!

Free Card Games

Solitaire

Objective: Clear all cards from the table by arranging them in a specific layout.
Rules: Cards are moved to foundation piles based on suit and ascending order.

Freecell

Objective: Use four free cells to maneuver cards and clear all into foundation piles.
Rules: Build tableau piles by alternating colors and descending order. Use free cells strategically.

Hearts

Objective: Score the fewest points by avoiding hearts and the Queen of Spades.
Rules: Players must follow suit if they can. Hearts can’t be led until they are “broken.”

Spider Solitaire

Objective: Order all cards in the tableau in descending runs from King down to Ace in the same suit.
Rules: Once a complete run is formed, it is removed from the table. The game is won when the table is completely cleared.

Pyramid

Objective: Pair up cards whose ranks total 13 to remove them from the pyramid structure.
Rules: Kings are removed on their own, as they value 13. Cards can only be removed if they are fully exposed.

TriPeaks

Objective: Clear three peaks of cards by selecting cards in a sequence, either one higher or one lower than the face-up card.
Rules: If no moves are available, turn over a new card from the deck and try to continue the sequence.

Canfield Solitaire

Objective: Move all cards to the foundation piles, starting from the first card dealt into the first foundation pile.
Rules: Foundation piles are built up by suit in ascending order, tableau piles are built down by alternating colors.

Euchre

Objective: Win at least three tricks in each hand to score points. The first team to score 10 points wins the game.
Rules: A trump suit is selected each round. Players must follow the lead suit when possible, and the highest card of the lead suit or trump suit wins the trick.

Pinochle

Objective: Score points by winning tricks and forming combinations of cards.
Rules: Played with a unique deck of 48 cards, points are scored for card combinations in melds and for winning tricks.

Crazy Eights

Objective: Be the first to get rid of all your cards by matching the top card on the discard pile by either number or suit.
Rules: Eights are wild and can be played at any time, allowing the player to declare a new suit.

Go Fish

Objective: Collect as many sets of four cards of the same rank as possible.
Rules: Ask other players for cards of a specific rank. If they have none, you “go fish” by drawing from the deck.

War

Objective: Win all the cards by having the highest card in battles against your opponent.
Rules: Cards are dealt evenly, and players reveal the top card of their deck at the same time. The highest card wins both cards.

Rummy

Objective: Form matching sets or runs with your cards and lay them down to score points.
Rules: Draw and discard cards, aiming to form sets (cards of the same rank) or runs (cards in sequence) in the same suit.

2 Player Card Games

Gin Rummy

Objective: Form sets and runs to knock faster than your opponent.
Rules: Draw and discard cards to form valid combinations, aiming to reduce unmatched cards.

Cribbage

Objective: Be the first to score 121 points through card combinations.
Rules: Points are scored for card combinations in play and in hand, including pairs, runs, and 15s.

Piquet

Objective: Score points by declaring and winning tricks.
Rules: A complex scoring system rewards forming sets, sequences, and winning tricks in this strategic game.

Chess (Card Version)

Objective: Strategically defeat your opponent by achieving checkmate with your cards.
Rules: Cards dictate the movement of pieces on a chessboard, combining traditional chess strategy with the luck of the draw.

Santase (or 66)

Objective: Score 66 points first through tricks and announcements.
Rules: Players draw from a central pile and can close the deck under certain conditions to score points for card combinations.

Durak

Objective: Avoid being the last player with cards in hand.
Rules: Players attack and defend with cards, aiming to shed their hand, with the highest card of the same suit or trumps beating the attacking card.

Speed

Objective: Be the first to play all your cards.
Rules: Players rapidly play cards in ascending or descending order onto two piles, requiring quick thinking and fast hands.

Egyptian Ratscrew

Objective: Collect all the cards.
Rules: Players flip cards in turn, but if certain combinations appear, the first to slap the pile wins the cards. Reflexes and attention to patterns are key.

Spit

Objective: Get rid of all your cards through fast-paced play and strategy.
Rules: Each player tries to play cards in ascending or descending order on two center piles without waiting for turns.

Casino

Objective: Capture cards from a central layout to score points based on their values.
Rules: Players can capture cards by pairing, combining, or building, aiming to accumulate points through specific card combinations.

Schnapsen

Objective: Score 66 points or more to win the game through tricks and declarations.
Rules: Similar to Sixty-Six, but with a smaller deck. Knowing when to close the game is crucial.

Bézique

Objective: Accumulate points by melding cards and taking tricks.
Rules: A complex scoring system involves combinations of melds for points, as well as gaining points for each trick won.

Tute

Objective: Score the most points by winning tricks with high-value cards.
Rules: Players can declare certain combinations for additional points and must follow the lead suit if possible.

Each of these two-player card games offers a unique combination of strategy, skill, and sometimes speed, providing endless entertainment and challenge for players looking to engage in one-on-one competition or cooperation.

3 Player Card Games

Skat

Objective: Win tricks to score points, with one player against two.
Rules: The solo player bids to choose the trump suit. Players aim to collect card values to win points.

Ninety-Nine

Objective: Avoid being the player to push the total card value over 99.
Rules: Players can play cards to add to the total, with some cards having special effects.

Rummy

Objective: Form sets and runs with your cards to eventually lay them down and score points.
Rules: Players draw and discard cards, aiming to form and lay down valid sets and runs before their opponents.

Three-Handed Whist

Objective: Score points by winning tricks in a classic trick-taking format.
Rules: Each player plays a card to the trick with the highest card of the suit led winning unless trumped.

Triomphe

Objective: Win tricks by playing higher-ranking cards or using trumps effectively.
Rules: The trump suit is determined at random or by a bidding process. Players must follow suit, and trumps win over other suits.

Sergeant Major (3-5-8)

Objective: Win a specific number of tricks set at the beginning of each round.
Rules: The game is played over several rounds, with players aiming to win 3, 5, and 8 tricks respectively, and adjusting their bids based on their hand.

Cuttle

Objective: Accumulate points by collecting cards in a layout between players.
Rules: Players can use cards for their point value, to attack or defend, with specific rules on how cards can be played and countered.

Bourré (Boo-Ray)

Objective: Win tricks to avoid being “bourré” and penalized.
Rules: If a player fails to win any tricks, they are bourré and face penalties, such as contributing to the pot for the next game.

Barbu

Objective: Navigate through various contracts, each with different rules, to score points.
Rules: The game consists of several rounds, with each round having a specific contract like “no tricks”, “no hearts”, or “no king of hearts”.

Tarock

Objective: Score points by winning tricks and fulfilling contracts with a special deck.
Rules: The game uses a tarot deck, and players bid for contracts, aiming to score points based on the cards won in tricks and declared melds.

Oh Hell!

Objective: Predict the number of tricks you will win in each round.
Rules: The number of cards dealt changes each round, and players must bid on the number of tricks they expect to win, with points awarded for accuracy.

Tressette

Objective: Score points by capturing valuable cards in tricks.
Rules: The game has a unique card ranking and point system, focusing on capturing specific cards to score points.

Briscola Chiamata

Objective: Win tricks to score points by calling the trump suit and partnering with the player holding the called Briscola.
Rules: After the trump is chosen, players aim to win tricks with high cards or trumps, with the twist of a secret partnership based on the called Briscola card.

These three-player card games offer a variety of strategic depth, unique rules, and competitive fun, making them perfect for gatherings of three. Whether you’re looking for classic trick-taking games, strategic card battles, or something entirely unique, this selection provides engaging options for all types of card game enthusiasts.

Drinking Card Games

Kings

Objective: Perform actions based on the card drawn to keep the game lively.
Rules: Each card from the deck corresponds to an action or rule. Players draw cards in turn and follow the associated rules.

Ring of Fire (Kings Cup)

Objective: Complete the game without breaking the circle of cards.
Rules: Similar to Kings, but if a player breaks the circle, they must drink from the central Kings Cup.

Ride the Bus

Objective: Avoid ending up as the final player, or “riding the bus”, by correctly guessing card outcomes.
Rules: Players answer a series of questions about the cards to be drawn (e.g., red or black, higher or lower) and drink for wrong answers. The game culminates in a ‘bus ride’ where the final player must make several correct guesses to avoid drinking.

Screw Your Neighbor

Objective: Have not the lowest card at the table to avoid taking a drink.
Rules: Players start with one card each; they can choose to keep their card or swap with the next player, but the player with the lowest card at the end of the round drinks.

Quarters

Objective: Bounce a quarter off the table into a cup or shot glass.
Rules: Players take turns attempting to bounce quarters into a glass. Successful shots allow the player to dictate who drinks, while failure may result in the shooter drinking.

Beer Pong (Card Variation)

Objective: Throw a ping pong ball into the opponent’s set of cups to force them to drink.
Rules: A card variation involves drawing cards to determine which cup opponents must target, adding a layer of strategy and randomness to the game.

Flip Cup

Objective: Teams race to drink their beverages and flip their cups upside down faster than the opposing team.
Rules: After drinking, players place their cup on the edge of the table and attempt to flip it to land upside down, proceeding relay-style.

High or Low

Objective: Guess whether the next card will be higher or lower than the current one.
Rules: A player guesses the next card’s value relative to the one shown. A wrong guess leads to drinking, while correct guesses pass the turn to the next player.

Ace of Spades

Objective: Draw cards to avoid finding the Ace of Spades, which triggers a drinking penalty.
Rules: Cards are spread face down. Players take turns drawing, with various cards assigning drinks or actions, but the Ace of Spades has a significant penalty.

Drunk Poker

Objective: Play a standard game of poker, but with drinking penalties for losing hands.
Rules: Similar to traditional poker, but players must take drinks for folding, losing a hand, or specific in-game events, such as being bluffed.

Pyramid

Objective: Avoid being the player with the most cards at the end of the game, resulting in drinking penalties.
Rules: Cards are arranged in a pyramid shape face down. Players receive cards and place bets on whether their card matches the revealed pyramid card, leading to drinks for incorrect guesses.

Sociables (or Socials)

Objective: Participate in various social drinking challenges and games dictated by the drawn cards.
Rules: Each card has a predetermined rule or game (e.g., categories, questions). Players who fail to adhere to the rules or lose at mini-games take drinks.

Adult Card Games

Cards Against Humanity

Objective: Create humorous or provocative responses to prompts.
Rules: One player asks a question from a black card, and others answer with their funniest white card.

Exploding Kittens

Objective: Avoid drawing an Exploding Kitten card while sabotaging other players.
Rules: Players draw cards until they get an Exploding Kitten, at which point they are out unless they have a defuse card.

Joking Hazard

Objective: Build a three-panel comic strip that is judged to be the funniest by the current judge.
Rules: Players take turns being the judge, selecting one of the cards from their hand to complete a comic strip initiated by the judge’s card, aiming for humor or shock value.

Secret Hitler

Objective: Liberals work to pass five liberal policies or assassinate Secret Hitler. Fascists aim to pass six fascist policies or elect Secret Hitler as chancellor after three fascist policies have passed.
Rules: Players are secretly assigned roles as liberals, fascists, or Hitler. The game involves strategic voting, policy enactment, and the deduction of other players’ roles.

What Do You Meme?

Objective: Compete to create the funniest meme by pairing caption cards with the photo card in play.
Rules: A rotating judge chooses the photo card for each round, and players submit caption cards, aiming to match the humor style of the judge.

Codenames: Deep Undercover

Objective: Teams compete to make contact with all of their agents first, based on their codenames.
Rules: A spymaster gives one-word clues that can point to multiple words on the board, trying to get their teammate to guess words of their color while avoiding those that belong to the opposing team and the assassin.

Never Have I Ever

Objective: Reveal amusing or embarrassing stories about your experiences.
Rules: Players take turns reading cards with “Never have I ever…” statements. Those who have done the action lose a point, aiming to be the last one with points left or to have the most revealing and funny stories.

Drunk, Stoned, or Stupid

Objective: Judge players based on humorous or outrageous statements.
Rules: A judge draws a card and decides which player is most likely to be described by the statement. Players defend themselves or argue why another player should be chosen, leading to hilarious debates and revelations.

From Solitary Play to Social Fun

This guide serves as your gateway to the vast and varied universe of card games, encompassing a wide range of options suitable for any occasion, skill level, and social setting. From the solitary challenges of “Free Card Games” like Solitaire, Freecell, and Pyramid, to the strategic depths of “2 Player Card Games” such as Gin Rummy and Chess, each category is meticulously curated to enhance your gaming experience.

For those seeking camaraderie and competition, “3 Player Card Games” offer a perfect balance, featuring classics like Skat and Rummy. Meanwhile, “Drinking Card Games” like Kings and Ring of Fire ensure lively social gatherings, infusing traditional card play with fun and interactive drinking rules.

Not to be overlooked, “Adult Card Games” such as Cards Against Humanity and Exploding Kittens provide mature players with humor, strategy, and a dash of risqué fun, ideal for breaking the ice and sparking laughter at any adult game night.

In essence, this guide not only introduces you to a plethora of card games but also invites you to explore the rich diversity within this timeless genre. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your mind, enjoy a friendly competition, or simply share a laugh with friends, there’s a card game here for every occasion, making every shuffle and deal an opportunity for new adventures and memorable experiences.