How Many Kinds of Card Games Are There?

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By Eric Wilson

Card games have been around for centuries, with their origins dating back to ancient China. Today, there are countless variations of card games played all over the world.

From classic games like Poker and Rummy to newer games like Exploding Kittens and Cards Against Humanity, the options are endless. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular types of card games.

Trick-Taking Games

One of the oldest and most popular types of card games is trick-taking games. These games involve players trying to win tricks or rounds by playing certain cards in a specific order. Some examples of trick-taking games include Bridge, Hearts, and Spades.

In Bridge, four players are divided into two teams and must work together to win tricks. Hearts is a game where players try to avoid winning certain cards while still trying to win tricks, and Spades involves players trying to win as many tricks as possible.

Rummy Games

Another popular type of card game is Rummy. These games involve players trying to form sets or runs of cards in their hand. Some examples of Rummy games include Gin Rummy, Canasta, and Tonk.

Gin Rummy involves two players trying to form sets or runs before their opponent does. Canasta is a game where players work together in pairs to form sets and runs, while Tonk is a fast-paced game where players try to get rid of all their cards by forming sets.

Collectible Card Games

Collectible Card Games (CCGs) are a type of game where players build decks using cards they’ve collected or purchased. These cards can be used to battle against other players’ decks or complete objectives within the game’s ruleset.

Some popular CCGs include Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Pokémon TCG. These games have large followings and often have organized tournaments for players to compete in.

Deck-Building Games

Similar to CCGs, deck-building games involve players building a deck of cards. However, in these games, the cards are drawn from a common pool that all players have access to. Players then use their decks to complete objectives or battle against other players.

Some popular deck-building games include Dominion, Star Realms, and Ascension. These games are often more accessible than CCGs since players don’t need to collect rare or expensive cards to play.

Party Games

Finally, there are party card games that are designed for larger groups of people and often involve humor or social interaction. Some popular party card games include Cards Against Humanity, Exploding Kittens, and Apples to Apples.

These games often have simple rules and don’t require any particular strategy or skill to play. They’re perfect for parties or gatherings where people want to have some fun without getting too competitive.

In conclusion, there are many different types of card games available for people of all ages and interests. Whether you prefer strategy-focused games like Bridge or more lighthearted games like Cards Against Humanity, there’s a card game out there for everyone.