I always have a deck of cards on me, wherever I go. I’m a nerd that way, I guess!
But I don’t regret it in the least. With a single deck of cards, hours and hours of entertainment are within your reach!
But if you’re not sure what to play, I get it. Sometimes it’s also easy to get stuck in a rut.
Enter this list of my favorite card games for one deck of the standard 52 cards.
I’ll offer some brief information on these and let you explore them more on your own and within the rest of the website. Enjoy!
Are you looking for some new games to spice up your life without spending a ton of money?
Enter the One Deck, Endless Fun eBook.
It contains 15 of my favorite card games you can play with a single deck of cards and a brief description of how to play each one.
I also include a handy table, breaking down each game in terms of difficulty, number of players, and the time it takes to play.
Table of Contents
35 Card Games For One Deck At A Glance
| Game Name | Estimated Time to Play | Number of Players |
|---|---|---|
| Poker | 1-2 hours | 2-10 |
| Blackjack | 20-30 minutes | 2-7 |
| Solitaire | 15-30 minutes | 1 |
| Rummy | 1-2 hours | 2-6 |
| Bridge | 2-3 hours | 4 |
| Cribbage | 15-30 minutes | 2-4 |
| Hearts | 30-60 minutes | 4 |
| Spades | 1-2 hours | 4 |
| Euchre | 30-60 minutes | 4 |
| Crazy Eights | 15-30 minutes | 2-7 |
| Gin Rummy | 15-30 minutes | 2-4 |
| Canasta | 1-2 hours | 2-6 |
| Go Fish | 10-20 minutes | 2-5 |
| War | 10-20 minutes | 2 |
| Snap | 10-20 minutes | 2-6 |
| Pinochle | 1-2 hours | 2-4 |
| Pitch | 1-2 hours | 2-6 |
| Slapjack | 10-20 minutes | 2-8 |
| Egyptian Ratscrew | 10-20 minutes | 2-6 |
| Old Maid | 10-20 minutes | 2-8 |
| Concentration | 15-30 minutes | 1+ |
| Whist | 1-2 hours | 4 |
| Spite and Malice | 30-60 minutes | 2 |
| Kings in the Corner | 15-30 minutes | 2-4 |
| Sevens | 20-40 minutes | 3-7 |
| Thirty-One | 20-40 minutes | 2-9 |
| Cassino | 15-30 minutes | 2-4 |
| Beggar-My-Neighbor | 10-20 minutes | 2 |
| I Doubt It | 20-40 minutes | 3-6 |
| Baccarat | 20-30 minutes | 2-14 |
| President | 15-30 minutes | 3-6 |
| Speed | 5-15 minutes | 2 |
| Screw Your Neighbor | 15-30 minutes | 3-6 |
| Cheat | 15-30 minutes | 3-6 |
| Chase the Ace | 10-20 minutes | 3-8 |
1. Poker
Time To Play: 1-2 hours
Number of Players: 2-10
Poker and its many variations are a fun way to make bets with your friends to maybe make some money, but to mostly just enjoy spending time with people.
In general, the goal of each Poker game is to get the highest value hand, usually with higher cards, sets, and runs of cards too.
There are often multiple rounds of betting and potential bluffing to scare other players away and win the pot of money by either having the best hand or being the last one left.
2. Blackjack
Time To Play: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 1-7 (plus a dealer)
Blackjack, also known as twenty-one, is a popular card game that you can enjoy at casinos or with friends at home.
The objective of Blackjack is to beat the dealer by either obtaining a total hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it, or by the dealer’s hand going over 21.
Each round includes making bets, receiving an initial two-card hand, and then deciding whether to “hit” (receive more cards) or “stand” (stop receiving cards). The dealer also has a hand, but their choices are determined by a set of rules. If the player’s hand exceeds 21, they lose immediately, which is known as ‘busting’.
3. Solitaire
Time To Play: 15-30 minutes
Number of Players: 1
Solitaire, also known as Patience, is a single-player card game primarily played for leisure and stress relief.
The primary objective of Solitaire is to release and play cards into a certain position to form a collection of ascending suits, usually from Ace to King.
The game involves strategic movements of cards across a tableau, alternating colors and decreasing ranks, to eventually move all cards to a foundation based on their suits. It’s a game of strategy, patience, and skill.
4. Rummy
Time To Play: 1-2 hours
Number of Players: 2-6
Rummy is a popular game of matching cards often played in social settings.
The main objective is to form sets and runs of cards before your opponents. A set consists of three or four cards of the same value, while a run is composed of three or more cards of the same suit in sequence.
Players take turns drawing and discarding cards, trying to complete their combinations. The first player to use all their cards wins the round.
5. Bridge
Time To Play: 2-3 hours
Number of Players: 4
Bridge is an engaging and complex trick-taking game played in partnerships. The game is split into two main parts: bidding and playing.
In bidding, partners communicate to establish the contract, deciding the trump suit and number of tricks they plan to take.
The playing phase involves taking tricks by playing the highest-ranking card in each round, with strategy centering around communicating with your partner through your card plays.
The goal is to win tricks and fulfill the contract, earning points towards winning the overall game.
6. Cribbage
Need a Cribbage board to get started?
Check out this classic one here!
Time To Play: 15-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-4
Cribbage is an engaging card game that involves strategic decision-making and a unique scoring board.
The game’s objective is to be the first player to score a target number of points, typically 61 or 121. Points can be scored for card combinations that add up to fifteen, for pairs, triples, quadruples, runs, and for flushes.
The game includes several rounds of play where players strategically decide which cards to keep and which to discard into the “crib”. These decisions can greatly impact the final outcome.
Learn how to play Cribbage in our complete guide here.
7. Hearts
Time To Play: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 3-7
Hearts is a trick-taking game focused on strategy and careful card play. The main aim is to avoid taking certain penalty cards (specifically, any Hearts and the Queen of Spades) that add to your point score.
Over several rounds, players are dealt the same number of cards, and each player must follow the suit led, if possible. If not, they may play any card.
The player with the fewest points at the end of the game is the winner. Be careful, strategic bluffing is often key in Hearts.
8. Spades
Time To Play: 1-2 hours
Number of Players: 4
Spades is a thrilling and strategic trick-taking game often played in partnerships.
The objective is to win the number of tricks that were bid before play of the hand began. Spades are always the trump suit, meaning they outrank all other cards.
Strategic bidding, precision in trick-taking, and cooperating with your partner are key elements. Bluffing can also come into play, leading opponents to overbid or underbid.
There are multiple rounds of bidding and playing, and the game typically ends when a team reaches a predetermined score.
9. Euchre
Time To Play: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 4
Euchre is a trick-taking card game traditionally played by four players in two partnerships. The objective is to win at least three of the five possible tricks.
The game employs a unique mechanic of a partial card deck (usually 24 cards – nines through aces in each suit), and a “trump” suit.
Partners collaborate to win tricks by playing higher-ranking cards, with strategic bidding and trumping adding an additional layer of strategy. The game proceeds in multiple rounds until a team reaches a certain point threshold.
10. Crazy Eights
Time To Play: 15-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-7
Crazy Eights is a lively and fast-paced card game perfect for friends and family gatherings.
The primary goal of the game is to be the first to discard all of your cards. Players do this by matching the current card on the top of the pile in rank or suit, or by playing an eight, which is a wild card.
The game involves strategic decision-making, as the choice of which card to discard can significantly affect the subsequent course of the game.
Crazy Eights also makes our list of games you can play with a deck of Uno cards.
11. Gin Rummy
Time To Play: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 2
Gin Rummy is an exciting card game where the goal is to create melds – sets of three or four of a kind, or sequences of three or more cards in the same suit.
Each player takes turns drawing and discarding cards to form their melds while trying to minimize the points in their unmelded “deadwood” cards.
The game concludes when a player knocks by having 10 points or fewer in their deadwood, often leading to strategic decisions about when to knock and when to keep playing for a better hand.
Check out our complete Gin Rummy playing guide.
12. Canasta
Time To Play: 1-2 hours
Number of Players: 2-6
Canasta is a captivating Rummy-like card game where the main objective is to ‘meld’ or combine your cards into sets of the same rank.
The game is enhanced by the use of ‘canastas’, which are seven-card melds.
Canasta encourages strategic gameplay with elements such as freezing the discard pile and managing your hand to optimize the points.
This game is usually played over several rounds until one player reaches a predefined point score, typically 5000.
13. Go Fish
Time To Play: 15-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6
Go Fish is a classic and straightforward card game that is popular among children but also enjoyed by adults.
The objective of the game is to collect the most sets of four identical cards.
Players take turns asking each other for a specific rank of card, and if the asked player has that card, they must give it up.
If not, they tell the asker to “Go Fish,” leading them to draw a card from the deck.
14. War
Time To Play: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2
War is a simple card game where luck determines the winner. The goal is to win all the cards.
Each player starts with half the deck and simultaneously reveals the top card of their deck. The player with the higher card takes both cards.
In case of a tie, a “war” ensues, where each player places multiple cards face down, then reveals another card, with the higher card winning all the cards played. The game continues until one player has won all the cards.
15. Snap
Time To Play: 10-20 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6
Snap is an exciting game that tests your reflexes and observation skills. It’s a game where the speed of play is the essence, and it’s perfect for younger players as well as adults.
In Snap, players turn over cards from a facedown pile, and when an identical card is turned over, the first player to call “Snap” collects all the cards and the one who ends up with the entire deck wins the game.
There’s also a variation where if you call ‘Snap’ incorrectly, you have to give your pile to the other player.
16. Pinochle
Time To Play: 1-2 hours
Number of Players: 2-4
Pinochle, a popular American card game, brings together elements of Bridge and Euchre to create a unique, strategic experience.
Players aim to score points by forming combinations of cards into melds and also by traditional trick-taking.
It’s played in multiple rounds with each player trying to maximize their score, which is tracked cumulatively over several rounds.
The mix of strategy in planning melds and the tactics in trick-taking make Pinochle a rewarding and sociable game.
17. Pitch
Time To Play: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 2-7
Pitch is an intriguing trick-taking game where strategy and prediction are key. The objective is to score the most points by winning tricks with high-value cards and accurately predicting the results.
In each round, players bid on how many points they think they can earn, with the highest bidder leading the first trick. Points can be scored in several ways, including taking the highest or lowest trump, taking the “game” point, and achieving the bid.
Managing your hand, and accurately predicting outcomes while trying to outsmart your opponents make Pitch a dynamic and engaging game.
18. Slapjack
Time To Play: 15-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-8
Slapjack is an energetic and engaging game perfect for young children and families.
The primary goal is to win all the cards by being the fastest player to slap the pile whenever a Jack is revealed.
The game requires quick reflexes and can lead to lots of laughter and excitement. It’s easy to learn and play, making it an excellent choice for a casual and fun card game.
19. Egyptian Ratscrew
Time To Play: 15-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6
Egyptian Ratscrew is a fast-paced, exciting game that tests your reaction speed and focus.
The objective of the game is to collect the entire deck of cards.
Players take turns flipping one card at a time into a central pile. If certain cards or sequences appear, players race to slap the pile. The first to slap the pile gets the cards.
Special rules like sandwiches and marriages add complexity, leading to sudden changes in fortune. There are no turns to wait for – it’s all about quick reflexes and sharp eyes!
20. Old Maid
Time To Play: 15-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-8
Old Maid is a classic and engaging card game often enjoyed by children and adults alike.
The main objective is to avoid being left with the unmatched card (the “Old Maid”) at the end of the game.
Players draw cards from each other’s hands, trying to make pairs. Once a player has no cards left or all the cards are paired, the game ends. The player who has the Old Maid card is the loser. The game involves a great deal of luck and some simple strategy.
21. Concentration
Time To Play: 10-20 minutes
Number of Players: 1-6
Concentration, also known as Memory, is a card game that combines mental agility and memory.
The objective of the game is to collect the most matching pairs of cards.
Players take turns flipping two cards at a time, aiming to find a match. If they succeed, they keep the pair and continue their turn; if not, the cards are flipped back over and the next player’s turn begins.
The key to success is remembering which cards have been revealed to make successful matches in future turns.
22. Whist
Time To Play: 1-2 hours
Number of Players: 4
Whist is a classic English trick-taking card game that provides an engaging strategic challenge for groups of friends.
The main objective of Whist is to take more tricks than your opponent. Each player receives 13 cards and gameplay revolves around predicting and achieving the number of tricks one can win.
Dealing with the element of chance, making strategic decisions, and the necessity of good partnership coordination make Whist a game that combines luck, skill, and communication effectively.
23. Spite and Malice
Time To Play: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 2
Spite and Malice, also known as Cat and Mouse, is an engaging card game. The objective of the game is to be the first player to play out their entire “pay-off” pile, by playing cards in ascending order on central piles.
The game involves strategy as players can use their hand or “spite and malice” pile to block their opponents’ moves. It’s a game of both luck and tactical decision-making, where anticipation and smart play can lead to victory.
24. Kings in the Corner
Time To Play: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-6
Kings in the Corner is an entertaining and engaging card game where players aim to get rid of all their cards.
The main goal is to play your cards on the communal piles, following a descending sequence and alternating colors.
Four piles, each starting with a King, form the foundation and additional cards can be played in the corners.
You need to strategically plan your moves while also reacting to those of your opponents. The first player to discard all their cards wins the game.
25. Sevens
Time To Play: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 3-7
Sevens, also known as Card Dominoes, is a fun and engaging card game for social gatherings.
The objective is to be the first player to get rid of all their cards. Players do this by laying down cards in a sequence (from seven down to ace, and from seven up to king) that matches the suit of the cards already played.
The game requires strategic thinking as players can block others from playing their cards, creating an element of suspense and excitement.
26. Thirty-One
Time To Play: 15-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2-9
Thirty-One is an exciting and quick game of strategy and luck. Players aim to assemble a hand which sums up to 31 in the same suit or to score more points than their opponents.
Cards are valued by their rank with face cards worth 10 and the Ace worth 11.
The game involves drawing and discarding cards with a keen focus on managing your hand. A round ends when one player knocks, thereafter each player gets one last turn before hands are revealed, and scores compared.
27. Cassino
Time To Play: 30-45 minutes
Number of Players: 2-4
Cassino is an engaging card game with a focus on building and capturing.
The ultimate aim is to capture cards by matching or adding up to the values already on the table, earning points for each card claimed.
Key to the game is strategic play, as players have to decide the best time to build or capture, while taking care not to set up the next player for valuable points.
The game ends when all cards have been played, and the player with the highest score wins.
28. Beggar-My-Neighbor
Time To Play: 10-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2
Beggar-My-Neighbor is a simple and suspenseful card game of chance.
The game revolves around players taking turns to play a card, aiming to force their opponent to run out of options and therefore become the “beggar.” Cards are played with the hope of not having to pick up the pile, which is triggered by playing certain high-value cards.
It’s all about luck in this game, with no real strategy involved, and the first player to get rid of all their cards is the winner.
29. I Doubt It
Time To Play: 15-30 minutes
Number of Players: 3-6
“I Doubt It” is a lively game of deception and detection. Players aim to shed all of their cards, taking turns to play card(s) face down and declaring what rank they are.
The key is that players can lie about the cards they are playing, but if challenged by an opponent, they must show the cards they just played.
If the challenger is correct, the player takes the pile; if not, the challenger does. The game continues until a player has no cards left. Bluffing and psychological tactics are crucial to success.
30. Baccarat
Time To Play: 10-20 minutes
Number of Players: 2-14
Baccarat is a classic card game typically played at casinos, but also enjoyable at home.
The aim is to have a hand total closest to 9, with cards 2-9 worth face value, tens and face cards worth zero, and aces worth one.
Players bet on either their own hand, the banker’s hand, or a tie. After bets are made, the dealer handles the rest, making it a game of luck rather than strategy. A new round begins after each deal, so multiple quick games are common in one session.
31. President
Time To Play: 30-60 minutes
Number of Players: 3-7
President is a social card game often accompanied by fun banter and strategy. The aim of President is to get rid of all of your cards first. The game is played in rounds, with the player who gets rid of their cards first being the “President” in the next round.
The game continues until only one player is left with cards, who becomes the “Beggar”. Each player can play a single card, or a set of cards with the same rank, with the next player needing to match or exceed the previous play.
32. Speed
Time To Play: 15-30 minutes
Number of Players: 2
Speed is an engaging, fast-paced game that tests players’ reflexes and quick decision-making skills.
The objective of Speed is to deplete your card pile before your opponent does. Players do this by quickly playing their cards on shared piles, in ascending or descending order.
There are no turns in Speed, so it’s a game of rapid reactions. Being the first to get rid of all your cards is the main aim, and this makes for an exciting, competitive card game.
33. Screw Your Neighbor
Time To Play: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 3-8
“Screw Your Neighbor” is a fast-paced, entertaining card game with a lot of suspense.
The primary objective is to avoid having the lowest value card at the end of each round.
Players can choose to keep their card or swap with the player next to them, adding an element of strategy and unpredictability.
The player with the lowest card at the end of the round is out. Play continues until only one player remains, who is then declared the winner.
34. Cheat
Time To Play: 20-30 minutes
Number of Players: 3-6
Cheat, also known as I Doubt It or Bluff, is a card game where the goal is to get rid of all your cards.
In Cheat, players take turns playing cards face down and making a claim about the rank of those cards. The catch is, players can lie about what cards they’ve played.
If an opponent suspects you’re lying, they can challenge you. If you were lying, you pick up the pile of cards, but if you were telling the truth, the challenger picks up the pile. The first player to get rid of all their cards is the winner.
35. Chase the Ace
Time To Play: 15-30 minutes
Number of Players: 3-6
Chase the Ace is a fun, quick card game that involves a bit of strategy and a lot of luck.
In essence, players aim not to be left with the lowest value card (the Ace). Players pass around cards, trying to offload the Ace or any low value cards onto others.
There is a bluffing element involved where players might pass a high card pretending it’s a low one. The game ends when a player decides not to swap their card, after which all reveal their cards and the player with the lowest loses.
