Playing cards can be a great way to enjoy some free time but it doesn’t require a lot of people, card games for small groups of two people are just as fun.
When the TV just isn’t entertaining enough and a couple wants to do something fun, but inexpensive, playing cards is a great way to bond, spend time and enjoy being in the company of each other. The following games are excellent for small groups or as little as two people.
3-13 (Three Thirteen)
This version of rummy is for two or more players, for every two players that are added, shuffle in an additional deck. In each of the 11 hands there are a different amount of cards dealt and different wild cards (coinciding with the number of cards dealt).The object of the game is to form sets (or groups) and runs (or sequences) and lay them on the table. Cards left in a player’s hand after the end of the hand score against him according to the full rules of 3-13.
Crazy Eights (8’s) sometimes called Crates, Switch, Swedish Rummy, Last One or Rockaway.
Crazy Eights is a fun game on websites like m88 casino, suitable for all ages that has each player trying to follow the previously played card either by suit or by number. 8s are wild and can change the play to any suit of the player’s choosing. Cards are dealt out and a draw pile is left in the middle. The first person tries to match a card that is lying face up in the middle with one of the cards he has in his hand. If he is not able to he must pick up cards. The object of the game is for the player to use all the cards in her hand. Any cards left in the players’ hands at the end of the game are scored against them according to the full rules of Crazy Eights. In addition to playing games online, there are many gaming platforms such as MobilityWare where you can play Solitaire, FreeCell, Klondike, and Blackjack as well. It also has tutorial blogs and videos that explain how to play that particular game.
Twenty Five also known as Fifty Five, One Hundred, and Ten
This is a very popular game in Ireland and is played in pubs and homes all over the country. The scoring is a bit different at first, but it is very easy to get used to. In it’s simplest form, Twenty Five, is very similar to card games called Maw and Spoiled Five. The variations of Fifty Five, One Hundred and Ten are bidding variations, but play is almost identical according to the full rules of Twenty Five.
Five Hundred (500) Rummy
This version of rummy is ideal for 2-4 players and has many variations. Mostly following rummy rules, each player tries to form sets or runs from the cards in his hand. Pulling from the middle pile and discarding into the discard pile, the cards are revolved around until someone has combined their cards well enough to form playable melds and to “go out”. Cards that are played on the table are scored according to the full rules of 500 Rummy.
Honeymoon Bridge
This is a version of bridge similar to Contract Bridge for two players. The suits and cards rank the same as they do in Bridge. The first 13 tricks are played at no trump and these tricks are simply discarded. However at the end of each trick a card is picked up by each player so that at the end of the first 13, there are 13 cards in each of the players hands that are to be used in the second half of the game. If a player’s memory is good, this is where he will shine. Bids are made based on what each person thinks they and their opponent have in their hands. Scoring is according to the full rules of Honeymoon Bridge.
Card Games to Play with Eight People
Finding card games that are suitable for approximately 8 people can be challenging, but there are many games that are well suited to the task, and card games are among the best for the challenge. Some of these games have been around for centuries and have adapted themselves along the way, being adjusted and refined by people through the years until they are suitable for today’s card players.
Speculation – Card Game for Groups of 8 People
With a history in London in 1847, Speculation is a game for large groups which can be noisy by pitting each player against the others in a bid for the high trump card. Cards are dealt, turned over one at a time and can be kept by the one turning the card or can be sold to the highest bidder. One hand can be dealt out and set aside to help to keep a little mystery in the game, and other variations are described in the full rules of the Speculation card game.
Looking for Friends (Zhao Pengyou) Card Game
A Chinese trick-taking game that is incredibly successful for 6 or more people. During play of the game the teams are formed, but they are unknown at the beginning of the game. Players find out who their team members are as game play progresses and cards are played. This is a great game to play with groups of people who are new to each other as it can get help to “break the ice” in conversations. Scoring and further instructions are in the full rules of the Looking for Friends card game.
The Spoons Card Game for 3 to 8 Players
A fun, light-hearted card game with funny noises and silly rules to remember. Spoons is based loosely on Crazy Eights in that cards that are played must follow the preceding card by either suit or number. The similarities end there though since for each card that is played another action, word, phrase or noise must be uttered lest the player violate a rule. Rule violations are met with “razzing” from the other players and the offending player having to draw a card. Scoring and values of each card are in the full rules for Spoons card game.
Maw – a Card Game Based on Ireland’s National Game
Maw is the oldest form of Ireland’s national card game Twenty-Five and is sometimes known as Spoil Five. It is a game that is similar in play to an old Spanish game, Ombre. There are five tricks to be won and the object is for a player to either win three of them by himself or to spoil it for others and prevent everyone else from doing so. Scoring and more information can be found in the full rules of the Maw card game.
Liverpool Rummy
This is also a card game that works well for eight people. It is a game in which the rules change for each of the seven hands. Following much of the same rules as other rummy games, players are required to meld sets and sequences, but certain combinations are required to start for each hand. Scoring is according to the full rules of Liverpool Rummy.
