During World War 1, soldiers participated in various activities during their downtime to keep themselves entertained and relieve stress. One popular pastime was playing card games. Let’s take a closer look at some of the card games that were commonly played during this time.
Bridge
One of the most popular card games among soldiers during WW1 was Bridge. This is a game that requires four players and a standard deck of 52 cards.
The objective of the game is to win “tricks” by playing the highest card in each round. Soldiers enjoyed playing Bridge because it required concentration, strategy, and teamwork.
Poker
Poker was another popular card game played by soldiers during WW1. This game can be played with two or more players and involves betting on the strength of each player’s hand. Soldiers enjoyed playing Poker because it involved both luck and strategy, making it an exciting and challenging game to play.
Rummy
Rummy is a card game that can be played with two or more players using a standard deck of 52 cards. The objective of the game is to form sets or runs by picking up and discarding cards from the deck. Soldiers enjoyed playing Rummy because it was easy to learn and provided a fun way to pass the time.
Blackjack
Blackjack, also known as Twenty-One, is a popular casino game that was also played by soldiers during WW1. The objective of the game is to have a hand value of 21 or as close to 21 as possible without going over. Soldiers enjoyed playing Blackjack because it was fast-paced and required quick thinking.
War
War is a simple yet entertaining card game that involves two players using a standard deck of 52 cards. The objective of the game is to win all the cards in the deck by playing the highest card in each round. Soldiers enjoyed playing War because it was a quick and easy game to play, providing a brief distraction from the hardships of war.
Conclusion
In conclusion, soldiers during WW1 played a variety of card games during their downtime to relieve stress and pass the time. Whether it was the strategic gameplay of Bridge, the excitement of Poker and Blackjack, or the simplicity of War and Rummy, these card games provided soldiers with a much-needed break from the reality of war.