Best Two-Player Card Games
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Intro
So you and your buddy/relative/significant other are sitting around with nothing to do, it's raining cats and dogs, and there's a deck of cards on the table. What game are you going to play?
There are dozens if not hundreds of really fun card games, but which games are the best of the best?
Even though I've been playing cards regularly for more than twenty years, I don't believe I'm qualified to answer that question. I can, however, tell you which two-player card games I like best and maybe convince you to give one try...
Santase or 66
Santase is a Bulgarian card game for two players. Ever heard of it? Maybe you know it as Sixty-Six. Or perhaps Schnapsen. All three games are similar and share the goal of trying to score 66 points before your opponent does.
I play Santase more than any other two-person card game. For me it's the perfect card game for relaxing on a lazy Sunday afternoon. There's strategy involved, but not too much. There's memory involved, but not too much. And of course winning also depends on the luck of the draw.
Only 24 cards (9, 10, J, Q, K, A) are used from the standard deck.
To score big you need to "marry" Kings and Queens of the same suit.
If you want to give this game a try, here are the rules to Schnapsen. Like I said, the rules to 66 and Santase are essentially the same.
Cribbage. Or "Crib" for Short
Crib can be played with more than two people, but I prefer it one on one, heads-up. Of course, in addition to a deck of cards you'll need a Cribbage board -- a $10 investment.
I made my first Cribbage board in junior high school and still use it to this day. It's ugly and the holes don't really line up, but it's served its purpose admirably over the years.
I think it's the board that makes the game unique and gives it that special flavor. Sure, the rules are clever, especially the one that has each player giving up cards from their hand to form a "crib", but it's the board that makes Cribbage, Cribbage.
Cribbage rules are here.
Gin
For me, Gin is all about action. There are a lot of things going on and I totally lose myself in this game when I play. Forget about conversation Grandma, I'm playing to win!
Gin uses a standard deck of 52 cards. Start by dealing 10 cards each and flipping over the top card. Like other forms of Rummy you'll focus on building runs and sets (3s and 4s of a kind).
Here are the rules to Gin.
And an Honorable Mention to Hola
No, this is not a Spanish game. In fact, it is Ukrainian so go ahead and pronounce the "h".
My family plays this game a lot. It's a casual, easy game that is best played by four people playing as teams. But it can also be played by just two people.
2s and 7s are wild. Aces and 10s score points.
Here are the rules to Hola.
More Fun-But-Obscure Card Games
I'm very interested in learning more two-player card games, especially games that are played in remote regions of the world but still use the standard deck of 52 cards. If you have any suggestions, I hope you will post them below.
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cribbage is a great game. lots of good card games for sure...
they sound fun, but it's kind of confusing...
My favorite card game of all time is Forty-Fives. Learning to play it was practically required of all of us who grew up in the Merrimac Valley. While I prefer to play it with two teams of two people each, it can be played by as few as two people or as many as six. Both team play or cutthroat play is possible when playing with three to six people, which can make for some interesting variations in the way one plays. It can be a bit a confusing to learn all the rules at first, but it is definitley worth the effort. Rules of play can easily be found on Wikipedia or by searching the web.
we agree the games sound fun but sound confusing at the same time thanks 4 trying
I'm a fan of Gin, second favorite of mine to poker. You can play 5 card draw with two people as well.
cheat is an awesome game and so is war
My partner and I enjoy playing Strip Jack Naked. Split the deck in half (or deal evenly between all the players...for every 3 players shuffle in an extra deck). Each player plays one card at a time until a J, Q, K or Ace are played. They are worth 1, 2, 3 and 4 cards respectively, in that the other player has to play that number of cards in a row. If they play their own J, Q, K or Ace, that blocks the original player and the count starts again and passes to the next player. Final aim is to get the whole deck.
oh well i like to play twister naked
poop
tnx for the info.i will try some. i love playing 304 but tht requires 4 players.u shud try tht game realy intresting...
I love the game pounce. It is extremely fast paced and fun.
GIN has to be the best card game invented :)
yo these are easy i like them
my husband and i have been playing spit a lot lately... or speed depending on how you know it. it's fast paced but takes fairly little strategy and some luck. 2 player game only. http://www.pagat.com/patience/spit.html
my favorite is speed but im gunna try these too! thanks
speed is deffinately my favorite. spit is similar but a little different. that's fun too.
cool these card games look realy fun but not what me and my friend are looking for :]
Dave is a genius. Listen to him about 45s. Best game ever. Can bet, create tournaments, and even play by yourself on fortyfives.com. It is difficult to get the hang of, but so worth it I can't even express it in text.
boots is fun too
Hey, I have to agree with the guy who said "Cheat"
The game also goes by the name "Bullshit!" or "I doubt it"...
Point of the game is to try and bluff cards onto a stack and empty your hand, which is just the deck split between players evenly, before anyone else... You start with the Ace of Spades... Then the next player, clockwise, looks through their cards, and put's down any twos they have. Any suit... But, if they have none, or if the only have one, they can put down other cards!
I.E. I have no twos, so I put down a 3 and a six and say "Two-Twos..."
The person across from me has three-twos, so he knows you didn't actually put down two twos! So, he yells out "Bullshit!" and you have to show the cards you put down - since they were not twos, you have to take the stack of cards... Then the next player starts at 3.
TO keep it fair, say you HAD put down two-2's... The guy yells bullshit and, no, HE'S bullshit, so HE takes the cards...
Don't understand? Google it... It's worth it.
Needs 3 players or more, however...
these games suck
Anyone know the card game, Casino? I played with my dad and now play with son. The game has a point system: most cards - 3 pts; most spades - 1 pt; ten of diamonds - 2 pts; each ace - 1 pt and deuce of spades - 1 pt, for a total of 11 pts in a game. We usually play a set of games with first to reach 25 pts wins.
It is rare to find anyone who has ever heard of or played Casino. Would like it play it online with son. If anyone knows of a source for interactive online adaptation of Casino. Please write here.
Thanks.
Thanks but most if the instuctions are too long and confusing. I'd love to play one of these games. Thanks for this page.
I am tryiinmg to find the name of a game i used to play. Its only for two players and i dont really remmember how to play. I do remember that you each have five or 7 point cards on the side and you slide the over to keep track of how your winning...someone please help me rem....
erstsersaer
you people don't know a good game worth crap!
Turd!
Casino is what i used to play when i was locked down. but its really fun. me and my girl play almost everyday
SPADES IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH BETTER THOUGH IT IS NOT A 2 PLAYER CARD GAME IT IS A FOUR PLAYER BUT ITS ADDICTING
i think speed is the best game ever!!!!!!!!
I like hearts, spades and rook though rook is kinda tougher when only two people.
the game I love is called AH SHUCKS. Its kinda like spades and hearts together. First you deal 7 cards to each and flip or pick any card left in the deck. That suit is the trump(suit that beats all). Then start bid from right and dealler has to bid off even(so if 4 book are bid for and 3 are left then dealler must bid 2 or 4) some one should always be set. Then like spades what suit is put down has to be thrown if don't have suit anything can be in its place trump takes other suits. After hand ends if you made you number of bid you get that number + 10( call 5 make it get 15) go over get how many made(call 2 make 4 get 4). Don't make it minus what you called. Next hand deal 6, after that 5 and so on. One is an indian tail feather( card goes on forehead everyone see card but you don't see yours). Then back up to 7. Play until 100. I loved spades in college, we found this game and liked it better cause more rounds between classes. Now we get together and hang out and still play
i dont realy like gin
i cant wait to play
My mom and I play a game we have called Aggravation but it is with 2 decks. You each put out 4 cards face up in 2 rows, then deal 12 cards to yourself, down, 13th card face up. Highest card starts, build down from face up cards, red/black, king to Ace. Aces go in the middle. Strategy is to get rid of your 13, and eventually all your cards. Exceptions is you can play on opponent's "up" piles, suit on suit. Does anyone know what game this is? It's a great game, but aggravating!
its called nerts
One of the best two-player card games ever created is Blind 31. There is a special variation for two players that makes the game even more exciting. This is a great game based on the classic card game Thirty-One (Scat, Stop-the-bus, Bloody Knuckles, etc). Try it out...everyone that plays it loves it.
pooppppp
Cribbage, reminds me of when I was very young. Old men used to sit in the pub in our village playing Cribbage, drinking bitter and smoking. You don't see it anymore in the pubs Chris
Look up the card game "golf" 2 person, or more, card game. a memory game.
Hi
I think cribbage is the ultimate 2 handed card game. You can find the rules on the web.
ive never played none of them
i love gin!
i dont like the options!
My favorite game to play is Nibs...anyone know thhat game? BTW: To the idiots saying poop and turd.. I suggest you get a life.
These are pretty good games, but one of my favorites is ah shucks and spit. Also egyption rat is fun. :)
Maybe I will try Gin. I really like cribbage and 66 and we play those often. I am going to look into fortyfives and hola, also. thanks to all those who made suggestions!
Thanks, for the idea.
You do NOT exclaim the goal of the game very well!! Please try to give more directions next time!!!
contract bridge is a wonderful game. it is a world in itself. it requires a lot of application of intelligence. you have to think very hard to win maximum number of tricks. it is more appropriate to play it in tournament situation as the element of luck is absent there.
sadoo ....
omg i love playing signal man thats my best game ever its so fun !!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D:D:D
Spite & Malice is a good game that can be played by any number of people (2+). You can google instructions as well as online games.
i dont get anything at all
we love spit (speed)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
Speed is also really fun here are the rules: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-play-speed-
what is you all fav's game [i mean 3 fav's] cuz i need to now more but my fav's are speed,gin,and crazy 8's
but be sides thoes tell 3 different ones cuz i need to know easy and fun 2 player card games
thx soooooo much
i love you Weirdo321 so my name is back words
anyway want to have sex one time
Who plays twister naked. It sounds like only a GAY person like Miranda. Yes you are GAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll have sex one time
Hey I'm bored so imleaving a comment lol
What's up how is it going I'm so bored so guess what I'm leaving a comment see you can read it but I think my comment is kinda boring just saying so you can read on if you want to but you don't have to lol ha so I'm just making up stuff to talk about and did I mention I am extremely bored but anyways I have to go so bye ttyl love you!!!!!(:
Games sound weird tried them out fun
hey i'need to play
gin is amazingly fun!! best game eva totally reccomend it i also reccommend james bond,spit and garbage..
Best games ever!! Thanks for posting these. My day just got fun!!
fun games
It is very beautiful. Iam suprised by the ability that this game have and it is very very fun.It is the great ability of the game and the ability of the players that make to play this game with to much fun and to love it .
I can not stay without saying more about this game.I forgot to say that my favourite game is spider solaritie.It is a simple game that every one can play it.This game is played like that only with one player. You can finish the game only by doing 6 colour of cards.i have won always this game and i dont need to do one page of coments for this game because the words are not neccesary because the photo of the game speaks.
Awesone work done.....really appreciate it.
hello.Iam going to do another coment on the card games.cards have a special meaning for every one and only the person who nows the meaning he is the god of this game and the god of himself.
Thank you very much for the compliment you did to me vivacash games.It was very kind of you saying something about my coments.I do not have words to thank you but only have faith in your life in your family and in your self.Good luck in your life and once again iam happy that you have said something about my coments vivacashgames.I send to you to many kisses and to many luck.Bye have a nice slep and beautiful dreams and thank you againg.
it is very beautiful speaking about the card games. me my family friends and cousins we are very happy playing card games.
hi. iam glad to be a fun of every game cards and iam glad that iam speaking about them.
hello iam sad because no one is posting a coment . you forgot this game or what.it is only me who is doing coments about it for 1 month. do coments about this game because it is beautiful dont forget it bye.
does anybody know what is the coment for a card game. If no read my comenta and you will now it
boys and girls you are very bad person. not in the reality but you are bad persons because iam not seeing any coments. the last i saw was 20 months ago
esmeralda - is you retarded? you write like a mongoloid. i bets you gots dropped on your head much when baby. in closing, go jump off a cliff.
im coocoo
i hate you
poopy.
These are so stupid.....
dez nuts. It is not true . that things doesnt happened to me. i dont write like a mongoloid this are my thoughts.you speak bad things about the others, but only once see yourself at the mirror. you are wrong and you will understand this very lately. if you dont like my opinions dont do coments. if anybody doesnt like my coments it is important that i like it for me .
dez nuts. It is not true . that things doesnt happened to me. i dont write like a mongoloid this are my thoughts.you speak bad things about the others, but only once see yourself at the mirror. you are wrong and you will understand this very lately. if you dont like my opinions dont do coments. if anybody doesnt like my coments it is important that i like it for me .
SPIDER SOLARITIES IS THE GAME I LKIE MORE THAN OTHER
Mery christmas
I now that this page is not for music . But do you now bruno mars. his songs are amazing. i love his songs. for example just the way you are listen it please. excuse me again
You can now download the free version of WHOT! on iOS http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/whot!/id476619050?l and Android (Getjar)
www.getjar.com/whot App store.
You can also play on Facebook here http://www.whotcardgame.com/game
For more information check out http://www.whotcardgame.com
Gin ftw
hi(:
jojojojo hi and how are you.iam very well. do you like albania my country.and mz name do you like it. your name is a little strange but i lkie it bye from albania
that is vary helpful now I can teach my mom how to play gin without her mesing up.
harry i dont now what is gin. and i imagine that it is a funny game .
thanks for the yiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip
sorry letter it's meant 2 b t
elyse thank you very much for the coment
i like queens its easy to learn and 2-6 players can play and you can play with more if you want, you can use 52 for 2 players or 2 decks for 4-6 players. And thanks for the cool games!
devon i dont now that game but iam sure that is very beautiful. you are right in this page are cool games . i say the same like you. as i see you like the card games me too byeeeeeeeee.
Hey Es, are u still online?
good games
laptop
c c that coment was for me thnx very much
c c what was that
Earl's Game is one my FIL taught us and played often. Strategy, some memory and finishes in about 40 minutes with two players. Add up to six and the dynamics change. My personal best point pickup was 1050 points.
Game may be played with 2 to 6 players
Remove the 2’s and Joker’s from 2 decks of playing cards, to begin the game.
Number cards worth 5 points, face cards 10 points and the ace and wild card 100 points.
Object of the game is to use all cards dealt and get high points. The first player to 2000 points wins.
The dealer deals the first card up to the player on his left. That is the total number of cards that player receives. (3 will get two more cards, 4, three more, etc. The Jack a total of 11, Q a total of 12 the K a total of 13 the Ace gets a total of 15 cards) Continue the deal in the same way for each player. The dealer deals his card up and that card becomes a wild card for that hand. It remains on the table and is not picked up by the dealer. The stack is placed in the center and one card exposed.
The player on the left draws a card from the big stack or if the very first player that round may draw the exposed card. The first player on the dealer’s left must create runs of at least three cards to lay down a set of cards or may lay down a pair if they have a wild card. Place the wild card horizontal and lay the pair vertical. After playing all possible cards the player discards one card.
Some details: When the discard pile has a card in it that a player wants they can pick up the entire discard pile back to that card if they have a pair to match back to the card. For example the discard pile begins with an A, 10 and a then a Q and has 12 more cards displayed past the Q. If the player on their turn has two Q’s they can pick up the entire stack back to the Q’s. They must then play the Q’s and should play all the cards in that pick up that are three or more or a pair with a wild card. If they do not lay down all cards they then discard a card and the play resumes with the next player. If the player cannot pick up from the discard pile they may draw one card from the stack.
If a player has not laid down at least one set or a set with a wild card they loose their turn. A player cannot go down if a set is already in play. However, after a player goes down they may play any cards in their hand that another player has down. Those cards go horizontal in a pile on the right of the player. Say ON YOU as they are placed. If a player discards a card that is in down and another player is down they can say MINE and take that card off the discard stack and play it. This may happen when a player is not down and must discard or accidentally discarded as they did not notice it was down. A player cannot pick up a wild card by saying MINE. They may get wild cards that are embedded in that stack by picking up a stack from the discards
At the end of the round you deduct any points left in your hand from the cards that are down and count the remaining points that are down. You may have a negative score. The game ends when the first player reaches 2000 points. Thanks to Earl for an intriguing game.
wowowowowowowowowowowow vanda you area good witter. as is see you are well informed about the card games. iam suprised about this ability. you now in my country during the summer we play different card games . in albanian their names are a little strange. but the games are beautiful i mean the games we play. you are a professional. why you dont do a thing . for example to open a shop. a shop with card games for the persons and who wins. guess what can win a price the price you want. do this game or open the shop but like a race. i mean that every day will come in your shop different people in your shop and you will say. people we can do a race. and who wins takes a price. by doing this you are going to be well- known in america.
k@ri 2 years ago
These look like some good games I can play with my son. Thanks for the info!