This portion of our web guide focuses on card games, which are defined as any game that uses playing cards as the primary device with which the game is played.
The origins of playing cards can be traced back to 9th-century China, where paper playing cards were first invented. By the 12th century, they had reached the Islamic world; by the 14th century, they had reached Europe, where they quickly became popular. Early European playing cards featured suits similar to today's, although their designs varied significantly across regions.
In outplay games, the objective is to outmaneuver opponents by playing cards strategically. Examples include games like Bridge and Spades, where players aim to win tricks through clever play.
Card exchange games involve exchanging cards with other players or from a central pile. Gin Rummy and Go Fish are classic examples of players seeking to improve their hands by drawing and discarding cards.
Layout games require players to place cards in specific patterns or sequences. Solitaire, one of the most popular layout games, involves arranging cards to form specific tableau configurations.
In hand comparison games, the goal is to have the best hand according to predetermined rankings. Poker and Blackjack are games in which players compare their hands to their opponents or a dealer.
Capturing games involve acquiring cards from the table. Hearts and Scopa are games in which players win points by capturing specific cards or combinations.
In shedding games, the objective is to be the first to get rid of all cards in hand. Uno and Crazy Eights are popular shedding games involving cards based on matching attributes.
Combination games involve creating specific card combinations, such as sets or runs. In Rummy and Mahjong, players aim to form combinations to score points.
Comparing games require players to have the highest-ranked hand. War and Poker are examples of games in which card values are compared to determine the winner.
Proprietary card games are created and published by specific companies. They often feature unique decks and rules. Games like Magic: The Gathering and Uno fall into this category, offering distinct gameplay experiences that set them apart from traditional card games.
Most card games follow a standard structure, including dealing, taking turns, playing cards, and determining the winner. The rules vary widely but often include dealing, turns, playing, and scoring.
Card games have rules that dictate how they are played, including how cards are dealt, played, and scored. Signaling, often seen in games like Bridge, involves nonverbal communication between partners to convey information about their hands. Proper signaling techniques and rules are necessary for fair and strategic gameplay.
Topics related to card games are appropriate for this category, particularly those discussing strategies, rules, and variations. However, retail sites should be listed in the corresponding Shopping & eCommerce category.
Recommended Resources
American Contract Bridge League
Founded in 1937 and headquartered in Horn Lake, Mississippi, ACBL is the largest bridge organization in North America, sanctioning over 3.5 million bridge tables, played in more than 2,000 bridge clubs and 750 sectional and regional tournaments. Its role is to promote, grow, and sustain the game of bridge and serve the bridge-related interests of its members across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda. They also provide educational materials and administer a masterpoints system.
https://www.acbl.org/
The online platform is designed to be a resource for card game enthusiasts of all levels, sharing in-depth knowledge, strategies, and the history behind various card games, from timeless classics to modern card games. Among its topics include playing guides for multiple games, strategies, tips, and news of new games, new rules, and new strategies in card playing, card games for different numbers of players, reviews of books focused on card games, a blog, and a discussion of online playing.
https://cardgames.tips/
Established in Lausanne, Switzerland, the FCG is an international association that has been established by uniting multiple regional card game organizations. Striving ultimately for inclusion into the Olympic Games, the FCG has already expanded to over forty-two countries across numerous regions, currently carrying out Gin Rummy, Guandan, Two Against One, and Open Face events. The site features competition schedules, athletes, programs, rules, and contacts.
https://fcgofficial.com/
International Playing Card Society, The
Founded in 1972, the IPCS is a non-profit organization for those interested in playing cards, their design, and their history. While many of its members are collectors of playing cards, they also include historians of playing cards and their uses, particularly card games, and their history. The IPCS is based in the United Kingdom, although it has members worldwide, especially in Europe. The organization publishes a quarterly journal, "The Playing Card." Contacts are provided.
https://www.i-p-c-s.org/
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the NPA is an organization dedicated to promoting the game of pinochle and fostering amateur sports competition. The NPA organizes tournaments, provides resources for players, and creates opportunities for friendship, goodwill, and social development within the community. The NPA has six sanctioned tournaments throughout the year, a sanctioned tournament hosted by a NPA chapter of the NPA. Membership data is provided and schedules are posted.
https://www.npapinochle.org/
This comprehensive website, maintained by John McLeod, focuses on card games. It includes rules and information for hundreds of card games from around the world, including traditional, commercial, and newly invented games. Games may be found through an alphabetical index or sorted into gambling games, domino games, solitaire games, proprietary games, by region, and reader-invented games. Other categories include a classified index, most popular games, and games of recent interest.
https://www.pagat.com/
The website provides live reporting from tournaments worldwide, including the World Series of Poker. It also features news articles, strategy tutorials, online poker reviews, exclusive videos, and information on bonuses and freerolls, making it a resource for serious and casual poker players. Online casinos, casino games, online casino site reviews, bonuses, and offers are set forth, along with free games, online slots, and other casino games, as well as live events.
https://www.pokernews.com/
Operated by Triple Barrel Media, this comprehensive poker media site provides resources for poker players and enthusiasts, including the latest poker news, live tournament coverage, strategy articles, player interviews, and videos. Its team comprises a group of dedicated players, including its own Player Advisory Board and well-known journalists. Most of its content is created by its editorial team and poker players, although sponsors or advertisers provide some content.
https://www.poker.org/
Offering guides for such classic games as Poker, Blackjack, Bridge, and Rummy, as well as lesser-known games, the website provides comprehensive guides, strategies, and rules. Specific games can be found by type (bluffing, casino, collecting, matching, rummy, shedding, solitaire, trick-taking) by the country in which they are the most popular, or highlighting lesser-known card games, such as Boston, Cheat, Duchess, Seven Card Stud, Skat, Speed, Spit, Pyramid, or Master Mau Mau.
https://ruleofcard.com/
