8 Fun Games to Play with Playing Cards

Whether you’re playing alone or with a group of friends, playing cards offer endless entertainment for every age.

These games can range from quick, casual fun to involved, strategy-heavy challenges. In this article, we’ll spotlight fun games to play with playing cards for two, three, four, and five players.

Fun Card Games for 2 Players

Some of the best and most popular games only require two players, which makes them perfect for a quick and engaging challenge.

1. Rummy

Objective: In the game of Rummy, the goal is to create sequences and sets of matching cards. A set refers to at least three cards that are the same rank while a sequence will be at least three cards with ascending ranks in the same suit (e.g. 10, jack, queen of hearts).

How to Play: After each player is dealt 10 cards, they take turns drawing from the stockpile or the discard pile to create sets or sequences. After drawing a card, the player must choose a card from their hand to discard. The two players will go until one has successfully placed all their cards face-up in sequences or sets. The players will then add up the total of their cards based on the value for the numbered cards, one point each for Aces and 10 points each for King, Queen, and Jack. They will also need to subtract any cards still in their hand from their total score.

Why it’s fun: Rummy is a good mix of skill and luck, so it won’t always be predictable whether you’re facing a beginner or an expert.

Pro Tip: Try Gin Rummy, a fast-paced variation of Rummy that requires you to eliminate cards that cannot be made into sets or sequences.

2. Speed

Objective: In Speed, you want to be the first to get rid of all your cards by matching them in a sequence.

How to Play: In this game, players are each dealt two piles of cards face down. The first pile has 5 cards, and the second pile has 15 cards. The rest of the deck is then split into four piles in the middle.

The first and fourth piles have 5 cards each, and the second and third piles have 1 card each. Next, both players will pick up their 5 cards simultaneously, flip over the two 1 card piles in the middle, and then race to get rid of their cards using the middle piles.

Cards are removed when they can follow an ascending or descending sequence to the cards in the middle.

Why It’s Fun: True to its name, Speed requires quick reflexes and even quicker thinking.

Pro Tip: If you enjoy fast-paced games where you need to reveal cards, Solitaire variations like Spider Solitaire also require strategic thinking and planning. Try it for free online!

Fun Card Games for 3 Players

Finding a great three player game can be difficult, but these two will offer hours of fun.

3. Crazy Eights

Objective: In Crazy Eights, you need to get rid of all your cards by matching suit or rank.

How to Play: After each player gets five cards (or seven if you’re only playing with two people), the first player will set a card on the table. The next player can top it with a different card from the same suit or a card with the same rank but with a different suit.

The players can draw a card from the pile whenever they want, even if they have a playable card. Lastly, eights are wild in the game, allowing a player to choose the suit.

Why It’s Fun: Crazy Eights is easy to learn, making it a great party game for small families.

Pro Tip: Try Uno for a modern take on this classic game.

4. Scopa (Popular Italian Card Game)

Objective: In Scopa, the goal is to capture the most cards by matching their ranks and suits, which is also known as a sweep.

How to Play: After each player is dealt three cards, lay out four cards face up on the table. The remaining cards will be placed in a stack face down. Note that if the four face-up cards include three or four kings, you will need to re-deal all the cards.

Players will then take turns capturing the face-up cards by matching their values. The player with the most points at the end wins. Scopa is usually played with a 40-card Italian deck, but the suits can be translated into standard values.

Why It’s Fun: Scopa is simple but highly strategic.

Fun Card Games for 4 Players

For card games that are more concentrated on teamwork or trick-taking mechanics (games with finite rounds), here are some good card games for four players.

5. Hearts

Objective: In the incredibly popular game of hearts, the objective is to take the fewest number of tricks and avoid scoring points. Each heart is worth one penalty point and the queen of spades is worth 13 penalty points. The other cards have no value.

How to Play: Each player is dealt 13 cards, and before the round, each player passes any three cards face-down to the player to their left. When passing cards, you must first select the cards to be passed and place them face-down.

Only after that can you pick up the cards passed to you and add them to your hand. The lowest card of the face-up suit in the middle must then be played unless you have none.

Why It’s Fun: Hearts requires strategy and patience, as you need to know when to hold cards and when to give them away.

6. Euchre

Objective: In Euchre, the goal is to win at least three tricks, which is done by playing the highest-ranking card in a round. You also need to call a trump suit before each round, which means that all cards of that suit - plus the jack of the suit of the same color - become the highest-ranking cards.

How to Play: After players form two teams of two and pick a trump suit, the team that wins the most tricks scores points. When you delve into the game, the rules become considerably more complicated, but it’s all about trusting your partner.

Why It’s Fun: Euchre is fast-paced, social, and requires teamwork to win.

Fun Card Games for 5 Players

With five players, card games can get even more exciting. Here are two great options for a large party of players.

7. Spades

Objective: In Spades, the players must bid on how many hands (tricks) they think they’ll win and try to hit that exact number. Spades are always the trump suit in Spades.

How to Play: After shuffling, the dealer will give 13 cards to each player. Those 13 cards make up one round. Then, each team bets how many of the 13 rounds they will win. To win a hand, you have to play the highest card.

You must then predict how many tricks you think your team will collectively win. Be conservative as your bids will be added together. You will then start the game properly, where you must beat a player’s rank in the same suit.

Why It’s Fun: Spades is one of the most strategic team-based card games, and it can be played for hours.

8. Thirty-One (31)

Objective: In Thirty-One, the players want to get as close as possible to a three-card hand, totaling 31 in one suit.

How to Play: After shuffling, deal three cards face down to each player. The remaining cards are placed in the middle, and the top card is flipped over to create a discard pile. During their turn, players can draw from the stockpile, draw from the discard pile, or knock. When players knock, they signal they are happy with their three cards.

All other players have one more draw to improve their hand. The lowest revealed hand will be eliminated after each round.

Why It’s Fun: Because of its quick rounds, 31 is an addictive game that rewards quick play and smart timing. Want to play some other card games? Play online card games anytime with 24/7 Solitaire!

Try Solitaire for a fun game solo or with friends!

Whether you’re hanging out with a single friend or planning your next game night party, there are so many card games to try. For two players, there’s Rummy and Speed. For three players, there’s Crazy Eights and Scopa. For four players, there’s Hearts and Euchre. And for five players, there’s Spades and 31.

All these games are great ways to bond with your family and friends and the next time you’re looking for a solo card game, try 247 Solitaire.

DISCLAIMER: The games on this website are using PLAY (fake) money. No payouts will be awarded, there are no "winnings", as all games represented by 247 Games LLC are free to play. Play strictly for fun.