Card games have long been a universal form of entertainment. The rules are straightforward and allow for depth and strategic play, and all you need is a deck of cards and a small group of players. There’s a huge variety of card games that have been played for centuries, with the oldest dating back to 9th century China, and they’re still hugely popular today. Whether it’s the 52-card deck, the tarot deck of Italian origin, or the 48-card hanafuda deck commonly seen in Japan, cards have long been a tool for competition and passing the time. Here are some of the most famous examples of card games from around the globe.

Spades

Spades has remained a popular fixture at the card table since its inception in the United States in the 1930s. This trick-taking card game, which became a hit with U.S. soldiers during World War II, can be played either as a solo or partnership game. The aim of the game is to take the number of tricks (or “books”) bid before play begins. It comes from the Whist family of card games and is unique in that trump is always a Spade, hence the name.

Rummy

Rummy is a popular game that’s playable with just two players. Though it’s disputed whether it originated in China or Mexico, Rummy has been enjoyed worldwide for over a century. The goal is to build melds (matching card sets) and be the first to go out or score more points than the opposition. This game is an excellent choice for those with a good memory since it hinges heavily on recalling whether a particular card has already been played. You’ll be in a bad way if you find yourself waiting on a card that’s already passed the table.

Battle

Battle, also known as War outside of the United Kingdom, is a simple card game often played by all. It involves two players and a standard deck of 52 cards. The goal is to win all cards. The deck is divided between the players, who must reveal their top cards each turn. Whoever wields the larger card wins the round. The game relies heavily on chance. A great entry point for newcomers, Battle is popular because of its simplicity and straightforward ruleset. Battle has several variations, including the 32-card German “Life and Death”, and is enjoyed worldwide.

Blackjack

Blackjack is another popular casino game and can be found in almost every casino around the world. Using a 52-card deck, Blackjack is unique in that the players do not compete against each other but against the dealer. Involving two or more players (usually between two and seven), the aim of each round is to score 21 or as close to 21 as possible and beat the dealer. Going over 21 means you “bust” and lose your bet while totaling more than the dealer without going over 21 is a win. Blackjack has long been popular due to its easy-to-learn nature and potential for high stakes.

Baccarat

Another popular casino game is Baccarat. Baccarat is a simple game played between two hands, the player and the banker. There are several variations of the game, but typically each round has three potential outcomes. It can end when the player has the highest score or the banker, otherwise, it’s a tie. The odds are usually considered to be in the favor of the banker, which often gives Baccarat higher stakes. Baccarat has been popular in Europe for centuries and is the favorite game of James Bond, who plays the game in several novels and films.

Poker

Poker is one of the best-known card games in the world. It’s played on a professional level, with high-stakes tournaments playing year-round. The aim of Poker is to wager against other players to determine who has the best cards, according to the specific rules. Since the players hide their cards from the competition, there is a huge amount of bluffing and psychology involved. As with all card games, Poker is a game of chance, but there’s a degree of skill needed to ensure victory. There’s a huge correlation between win percentage and starting hands, so don’t miss out on advantage by knowing the best starting hands for texas holdem poker, including Ace-Ace, KK, QQ, 10-10, and more. Make the most of what you’re dealt for the highest chance of winning. In Poker, a good hand is nothing without the right application.

Crazy Eights

Crazy Eights is a shedding-type card game that originated in Venezuela and is typically played by two to seven players. As with similar shedding games, such as Mau Mau and Switch, the aim is to be the first to discard all cards. It involves 52-card decks, utilizing one or two full decks depending on the number of players. A deceptively simple game, Crazy Eights can be difficult for newcomers to learn due to its huge number of variations, though it’s remained popular worldwide since the 1930s.

Hearts

Hearts has been around since around the 1880s, though it is now more commonly played as its variations Black Lady and Black Maria in the US and UK, respectively. Hearts is an evasion-type card game played by between four and six players. The game is unique because the aim of the game is to have the lowest score by the time the first person reaches 100. Heart cards are worth one point, while the queen of spades is worth thirteen. Hearts remains a popular game worldwide and is an exciting blend of chance and skill.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the most popular card games played worldwide. There are countless more, of course, and a wide variety of games can be found across Asia, particularly in Japan and China. While the rules can seem complicated, card games have been universally popular for centuries because of their strict rule sets and mathematical focus, which make the games singular and easy to pick up. Perseverance, a deck of cards, and a group of players are all you need to enjoy this hugely popular form of entertainment. Card games have always been a social activity, so don’t be afraid to jump in and learn!