Card Games of Various Types

 

Card Games of Various Types:

There are a plethora of card games to choose from. People mistakenly believe that two games that employ the same 52-card deck are identical, although Barbu and Speed, or Pai Gow and Pinochle, are worlds apart.

Here's a rundown of twenty distinct types of card games, along with some background information.

1. Bridge

The bridge is a popular game for bidding on contracts. Bridge strategy has its own culture, with websites, newspaper columns, and even radio shows dedicated to the subject. The bridge has a worldwide following, despite its reputation as the world's most difficult card game. The bridge isn't simply a game to many people; it's a way of life, thanks to its complex strategy and steep learning curve. I wish I was making things up.

2. Whist

Whist is sometimes referred to as "Bridge, Jr." Despite the fact that it is no longer as popular as it once was, and is overshadowed in popularity by its older brother Bridge, Whist has never truly gone out. Trick-taking games are one of the most thrilling aspects of any card game; defeating your opponent in such a graphic way is one of the most exciting aspects of any card game. Without the bidding, Whist has some of the difficulty of Bridge.

3. Texas Hold'em

Texas Hold'em is something of a legend -- a poker variation with a story as rich as a Spaghetti western. This version of poker, a drawing and betting game, was invented and then made popular by old-time poker sharks in Texas, hence the name. This is easily the most popular poker variant right now and is bringing more new people to card gaming than any other game.

4. Hearts

Most professional poker tour players are known to be die-hard Hearts players who wager large sums of money on cutthroat games of Hearts in dark, mysterious settings during tournaments. As romantic as it may sound, it's understandable that these card sharks enjoy the game of Hearts, which is an otherwise childish game of matching cards (with no bidding) that usually devolves into a competitive nightmare. In Hearts, there are numerous ways to screw your opponents due to the game's mechanics. Hearts has a lot of trick-taking and passing cards.

5. Spades

People are unaware that spades are a bridge variation that simplifies the game even more than Whist and alters the game's outcome. Spades is a popular game for large parties, college campuses, and tournaments all across the world. Due to "jailhouse rules" that penalize strategies like point sandbagging and the presence of many variants of "house rules," there may be as many variations of Spades as there are groups playing it. If you like, you can play this strategy game without paying much attention.

6. Go-fish

We all remember this basic children's card matching game from our childhood. Go-fish can be played with as many players as there are cards. Some suggest Go-Fish is a Rummy variant, but given the game's simplicity and children's game concept, it's more likely a toy company's development. In some regions of the world, Go-fish is referred to as Literature. If you know what I'm talking about, please let me know.

7. War

War is another children's game (or time-killing game) that is entirely based on luck. You either win or lose a war based on the flop of the cards. War was learned by the majority of persons under the age of 30 before they learned any other card game. In airport lineups, you'll notice that War is frequently performed.

8. Oh Hell!

You can play this party game by substituting your own nasty term for "Hell!" The fact that you get to cuss a lot and have people laugh at you is the most enjoyable part. This game's popularity stems from the fact that it is a tight betting game. Oh Hell! requires you to bid the exact number of tricks you will win. You must only take the number that you bid on, no more or less. Play is precise, and because of the game's structure, one player inevitably blows it big. There. That's what makes it enjoyable. Getting the better of your opponent.

9. Blackjack

If you can play a perfect hand, this skill game is the best wager you can make in several casinos. This is one of the most famous casino card games, and it is known as THE "Vegas" game in popular culture. The goal is to produce a hand that adds up to a total of 21 points without going over and to beat the dealer's figure. Players play directly against the house, which adds to the thrill. There is a blackjack player's hall of fame someplace in the world, which is a little-known truth. It's safe to say this game has a cult following.  

10. Baccarat

(Don't believe the hype — it wasn't poker or blackjack; read the novels) James Bond's favorite game Baccarat is a straightforward betting game. Players wager on whether the player, the banker or a tie will win a given hand. Baccarat may appear to be a simple game, but it is a game of skill. A quick note on Baccarat: its name is derived from the name of the worst possible hand. This is akin to referring to your video poker machine as "High Card Poker." "Royal Flush" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

11. Solitaire

The world's most diverse card game. Patience is the name given to this game in England, and with good reason. Solitaire is a solo game that requires little setup other than placing cards in precise locations. Another popular airport queue waiting game is solitaire.

12. Rummy and variations

There are many different types of Rummy, far more than any list could possibly contain. I wrote for a website that required me to identify 500 variations or other names for Rummy, so I'll spare you the reading and simply state that there are many other types of Rummy. Gin Rummy, Liverpool Rummy, and Contract Rummy are the most common variations. The ability of a player to match identical cards into pairs and other groupings is what distinguishes a game as Rummy. Some scholars say Mahjong, a Chinese game, is related to Rummy, but I'm sure the Chinese are perfectly happy with Mahjong as it is.

13. Pai Gow

This is a poker variation of an old Chinese domino game that has been passed down through the generations. Pai Gow is a casino game that can be played like a poker or a domino game. It is arguably the casino game that most people don't understand. This is a fast-paced game in which the player takes on the dealer. Pai Gow's strategy is as diverse as any other poker betting game, and the culture of the game is similar to that of Blackjack, with super-fast bets and shady activity on the fringes.

14. Spoons

Spoons is a funny card game that was presumably created to keep kids out of trouble. It's a bluffing game (with some matching aspects) with simple cooking utensils as an added play feature. When the first player in the group draws a four of a kind in poker style, he or she reaches for a spoon from a pile in the middle of the table, signaling the other players to grab one. Because there are fewer spoons than players, one player will always be left out. So it's a game about social interaction rather than card strategy. It's still entertaining. This is an excellent game for a dating night.

15. Speed

Speed (also known as Spit) is a unique matching game in which both players play at the same time and as quickly as they can. A player tries to 'get rid' of his or her cards by matching them to cards that are placed face-up on the table in Speed. Although this is a face-to-face game, there is very little interaction between the two players. With hands and cards flying around and rows developing and emptying like water pipes, the last few moments of any game of Speed remind me of solitaire on fast-forward. Speed is an odd game.

16. Crazy 8s

This is yet another children's matching game, and it's a cousin to the well-known Uno. The 8s in a regular deck of cards are labeled "crazy" to signify that they are wild cards, not because they need to be medicated. Not only Wild Cards but also other "rule cards" are included in some Crazy 8s variations, making the game more difficult for senior players.

17. Slapjack

Slapjack is an excellent vehicle for teaching more sophisticated card games to younger children. Slapjack's goal is to collect the entire deck of cards by matching and slapping pairs. Kids enjoy slapping things, and the game can be played repeatedly.

18. Old Maid

To play this kid's card game, you don't need an "Old Maid" deck; any ordinary 52-card deck would suffice. Simply take out one of the Queens. Old Maid is a matching game in which players must find pairs of objects. You exchange cards with your opponent until only the unmatched Queen remains. Matching games are popular, and children enjoy the novelty "Old Maid" sets.

19. Cribbage

Even hardcore card gamers are intimidated by this hybrid board and card game, which has intricate rules. Cribbage is played by constructing groups of cards with varying point values and then moving a peg on a board to symbolize your progress. Cribbage isn't the finest travel game because it requires a specific board (or a quick hand with a pen and paper), but as lovers of the game will tell you, no two games are the same. If you're tired of the regular version of cribbage, there are solitaire variations and different types of cribbage game play to pick from.   

20. Pinochle

Pinochle is a popular trick-taking card game that is played using a 48-card deck. Pinochle is similar to Gin in that you strive to make melds or tricks, but there is a far more sophisticated scoring system that makes the game exciting to learn and master. To become a good pinochle player, you must play for a long time and lose a lot of hands. Pinochle is one of those "heritage games," despite its declining popularity year after year.