Card games have been around for centuries and have evolved into various forms. Some games use a standard deck of 52 cards, while others incorporate additional cards such as jokers.
Jokers are often used as wildcards in some card games, but do all card games use jokers? Let us find out.
What is a Joker?
A Joker is a playing card found in most modern decks of playing cards. It’s usually depicted as a court jester or clown and is considered the highest-ranking trump card in most card games that include it.
Card Games That Use Jokers
- Rummy: Rummy is a group of matching-card games that are played with two decks of cards that include two jokers. The jokers serve as wildcards and can be used to substitute any other card to form sets or runs.
- Gin Rummy: Gin Rummy is another variation of rummy that uses one or two decks of cards, including one or two jokers. The joker can be used to substitute any other card to form sets or runs.
- Canasta: Canasta is a popular game played with two decks of cards that include four jokers. The joker serves as a wildcard and can be used to complete melds.
- Pinochle: Pinochle is a trick-taking game played with a deck of forty-eight cards, including two copies of each Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten, and Nine.
It also has two special cards: the Joker and the Pinochle. The Joker serves as the highest trump card while the Pinochle doubles the points earned by the player.
- Spades: Spades is a trick-taking game played with a standard deck of cards, including two jokers. The joker serves as the highest trump card in the game.
- Poker: In poker games, the joker is often used as a wild card and can substitute any other card to form winning hands.
Card Games That Do Not Use Jokers
- Bridge: Bridge is a trick-taking game played with a standard deck of cards but does not use jokers.
- Hearts: Hearts is another trick-taking game that uses a standard deck of cards but does not include any jokers.
- Solitaire: Solitaire is a single-player card game that uses one deck of cards but does not include any jokers.
- Blackjack: Blackjack is another popular card game that uses one or more decks of cards, but without any jokers.
The Bottom Line
Jokers are an interesting addition to some card games, and they add an element of excitement and surprise to the gameplay. However, not all card games use them. So, whether you prefer playing with or without them, it’s important to know which games incorporate them and which do not.