It doesn’t matter how far technology evolves, the classic deck of playing cards will never go out of style. There’s a certain charm and simplicity that comes from sitting around with a bunch of mates and getting stuck into a game of cards, from camping trips to family living rooms, here are some of our favourite classic card games to play with friends.
Blackjack
Perhaps the most famous card game of them all, blackjack is perfect for playing with friends in real life while there are also plenty of options for playing real money blackjack at online casinos.
Blackjack is a relatively basic game but there are many strategies that can be used to make it quite a skilled affair. Different variations of blackjack (American Blackjack, European Blackjack, Atlantic City Blackjack, Vegas Downtown Blackjack, Spanish 21, Pontoon, etc) all use different rules but the standard aim of the game is similar across all variants: to get a hand that has a higher value than the dealer, without going over 21.
The game requires one player to act as dealer and each player is dealt two face up cards to the dealer’s one face up card before deciding whether to draw an additional card or stay with the hand they have. Face cards (J, Q, K) are valued at 10 points and Ace can act as either one point or 11.
Fish
Fish (or Go Fish as it’s internationally called) is as mandatory to an Australian childhood as cordial and skinned knees but this family friendly card game can be enjoyed with friends at any age.
Fish is best played with three to six players using a standard deck of 52 cards (playing with the Jokers is optional). The game requires players to make as many pairs as possible from the hand their dealt by taking turns to ask other players for card matches, picking up more cards from the stockpile anytime a request is unsuccessful.
There are many variations on determining the winner; some consider the winner to be the player with the most pairs at the end of the game or the first player to get rid of all their cards, while other methods of scoring can be employed. Fish can provide hours of entertainment with little skill or strategy required, making it great for players of all ages.
Three Card Poker
Poker is one of the best card games you can play with friends and there are tonnes of variants to choose from, but Three Card Poker is a great starting point as the rules are really easy to follow, making it increasingly popular, especially for online play.
The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards excluding the jokers and the aim is make the best possible hand out of the three cards you are dealt. Each players must place an ante wager to proceed into the game and then view their cards to make the choice to fold or raise their bet to stay in the game. Hand values are similar to traditional five card poker variants, consisting of pairs, flush, straight, three or a kind and straight flush.
If three card poker isn’t for you, there are plenty of other poker games you can choose including Texas Hold’em, Casino Hold’em, Omaha and H.O.R.S.E.
Gin Rummy
Gin Rummy is an old American classic, traditionally played with two players but can be played with up to four. Before the game commences the players agree to a predetermined number (usually 100 but if more players are involved a higher number may be better) and the aim of the game is to reach that number of points before your opponents.
Gin Rummy has its own unique terminology and scoring system, but if you’re new to this game don’t be put off by words like knock, deadwood, gin and undercut as this is a pretty easy game to pick up. For further details regarding how to play Gin Rummy refer to our detailed article.
Bullshit
Bullshit (or for the profanity adverse, otherwise known as Cheat) is one of the funnest card games you can play with friends given the hilarious nature of the rules.
The entire game of Bullshit is based on how good your bluffing abilities are and it can be a hoot to try and master your poker face while determining whether you can read the lies on your friend’s expressions. The aim is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards by successfully bluffing as well as catching the bluff of other players. When it’s your turn you need to place a face down card into the discarded card pile, declaring what the card you are getting rid of is, choosing to either be honest or lie.
It’s up to the other players to call your bluff and if they do so successfully, the entire discarded pile becomes yours; however, if they incorrectly call your bluff, the discarded pile becomes theirs.