Popular Card Games People should Try

Card games have been around for as long as humans have been able to make them, but some of the oldest surviving fragments of cards have been dated back as far as the 12th century. There are many different games, ranging from the simplest, such as snap, to the more complex games that are played with several decks of cards and have intricate scoring systems.

Some games have been completely revolutionised by the advent of digital gaming, such as Patience, also known as Solitaire, which was always a labour of love for those that had the time to deal out the special patterns of cards needed to play. Indeed, special decks of smaller cards were designed to make it easier to play, but the digitisation of the game made it much quicker and easier to play.

Games for more than one player have also had a resurgence in the digital age, since the internet has made it easier than ever to find like-minded players to compete against. Poker tournaments that would once have involved all the players travelling to a single location can now be played from anywhere, with competitors joining from all over the world 

There are some card games that have earned a reputation for being easy enough to pick up and learn, but complex enough that those with experience can improve their skills and increase their chances of winning. While many games are designed to be suitable for players of all ages, some are more popular with younger players whereas others tend to attract more experienced players. 

Some of the most popular include:

Blackjack

While the basics of blackjack are incredibly simple to learn, the real skill comes in understanding the probability of being dealt a particular card. Each player needs to try and get cards totaling twenty-one, ideally with a ten and an ace, and although it can be played as a game of pure chance, experienced players will be constantly calculating odds in order to increase their chances of winning.

One of the most appealing things about blackjack is the fact that all players compete against the dealer, not each other, so there is no need to bluff or identify other players’ tells. A quick search online shows that there are specific rules that players can follow to increase their chances of winning, made easier by the knowledge that dealers will also follow these rules, giving the outcome an element of predictability that many find reassuring. (umberlandpediatricdentistry.com)

Black Jack

Poker

There are many different versions of poker and the rules vary slightly from game to game, but one of the most popular is Texas Hold ‘Em which is one of the simplest versions played in casinos the world over. Players need to try and get the best hand, while also paying attention to their opponents to try and identify anyone whose hand might beat theirs.

Like blackjack, there are some hard and fast rules to increase your chances of winning at poker, but there are many more potential outcomes which makes it a much more complex game. High-level players will take into account the number of decks in play, keep a running memory of the cards that have already been dealt, and be constantly aware of their opponents’ behaviour to try and work out which cards are most likely to come up. 

Rummy

Although it’s a popular choice as a family card game, rummy can also be decidedly cut-throat when experts play together. Players may sacrifice cards to block their opponents, overhaul their hand to play the odds when a card they want is discarded, and even bluff their opponents to try and ‘fish’ for a card they want. 

One of the most important things to remember when playing rummy is not to hold onto your cards for too long. If you are waiting for a specific card, you are decreasing your odds of winning by closing off other potential sequences and sets.

Top rummy players will also keep a mental note of the cards that they and other players have discarded so that they can avoid ‘waiting’ for a card that may never come. Advanced players can even work out which cards their opponents are holding by analysing the cards on the discard pile, so don’t underestimate the importance of training your memory.

Until the internet made the rules of card games instantly available to anyone worldwide, games were passed down by word of mouth, so it’s no surprise that there are various versions of the rules for several different games. It’s important to check which you are playing with before you start to ensure that your strategy takes any variations into account, and even simple differences like playing with more than one deck can make it more fun to play and easier to win.