5 Unique Classic Card Games for Game Nights

No matter how technology advances, a good old-fashioned card game is always a hit during family gatherings and parties. From UNO to Monopoly Card Deal, there are endless possibilities for some classic fun – but have you tried any of the lesser-known yet equally entertaining options out there? If not, we’ve got you covered!

This blog post will review five unique card games that make fantastic additions to your weekly game night rotation. If you’re ready, grab your friends and family – it’s time for quality bonding over cards!

Remarkable Card Games to Fulfill Your Game Nights

Card games span multiple generations, and it’s time to discover some classics that some of you might not have heard of before! Check out some of the most exhilarating card games that will surely bring joy and laughter to your game nights.

Cheat

Also known as I Doubt It or “Bullsh**,” Cheat has been a favorite among kids who are good at bluffing and deceiving their friends. It’s like a beginner game for Poker where you must be good at handling your cards, preventing your opponents from knowing your next move.

The game uses a standard deck of cards with no Jokers, and at least three players are required. The dealer deals the cards evenly, with the remaining cards placed in the middle as the beginning of the discard pile. The goal is to get rid of all cards to win, and the game begins with the player on the dealer’s left.

The player can begin with a card, starting from Ace to Kings. They’ll need to place it face-down on the table, which they’ll declare “Ace.” If a player doesn’t have an Ace or wants to get rid of two cards, they can bluff and say “Two Aces,” and so on. If the first player suspects a player is lying, they can say “Cheat” and reveal the cards. If they’re bluffing, the player must pick up all the discard cards.

Hearts

A game that not everyone is familiar with due to its unique gameplay is Hearts. Since most classic card games focus on trick-taking, Hearts is the complete opposite since players must avoid any cards from the Hearts suit to not get penalty points. However, the play in any Hearts game follows the standard trick-taking mechanics.

Another element that made Hearts more challenging is the addition of more wild cards, allowing it to give birth to numerous variations. These are:

• Black Lady: The addition of Queen of Spades with an equivalent of 13 penalty points.
• Black Maria: The addition of King, Queen, and Ace of Spades with penalty points equal to 13, ten, and seven points, respectively.
• Omnibus Hearts: The addition of 10 Diamonds for 10 points for the player who takes in the trick.

If you’re interested in these different variations, it’s best to play the Hearts game first to understand its mechanics. You can do so with the help of mobile apps or web-based platforms that are available for free!

Egyptian Ratscrew

If you want to experience a more challenging game than Snap, then try Egyptian Ratscrew. It has the same gameplay elements but on steroids! It combines chance with agility, so you must have lightning speed to gain an advantage against your opponents.

The game requires a standard deck of cards with two or more players, and the objective is to get all the cards in the end. It can be achieved through Slapping or Face Cards. The game begins with the player on the dealer’s left then clockwise.

They must play the first card on top of their deck to the center. If a player plays a face card, the number of chances to play a face card depends on what type of face card was drawn:

• Ace: 4 chances
• King: 3 chances
• Queen: 2 chances
• Jack: 1 chance

For slapping, the following card sequence must be followed before a player can slap the cards:

• Consecutively play two cards from the same rank
• The card played has the same rank as the first card played to create the pile
• King and Queen are played consecutively
• Two cards from the same rank have a different card in between
• Cards played adds up to ten
• An ascending or descending run of four cards is played

If you slap the pile with no sequences, you must add two cards at the bottom of the pile. Egyptian Ratscrew has more features and mechanics, but the fun is doubled due to the additional challenges!

President

Also known as Scum or A**hole, President is part of the trick-taking family and requires four to seven players to enjoy. Here, Aces are high, and 3s are low. Like most trick-taking games, the objective is to discard all cards in your hand.

The game begins with the player who received the 3 of Clubs, as it’s always the first card that should be played. Rotation moves clockwise, and the players must match or outrank the previously played card. For instance, pairs outrank singles, three-of-a-kind outrank pairs, and so on. If two are played, the pile is eliminated, and a new pile will begin. If players can’t match or outrank a card, they must pass.

The President is the first card to get rid of their cards, and the player with the most cards is the Beggar. The President will shuffle and pass out all cards, while good cards from the Beggar’s hands will be transferred to the President. They can then choose any card to begin with.

Scopa

Since this game has Italian origins, it’s no surprise that not many card sharks are aware of its existence. However, it’s known as Italy’s favorite card game and uses Latin-suited cards or a French-suited pack.

Scopa means “sweep” in Italian, which signifies the game’s objective to sweep all cards on the table or board. The Latin-suited Scopa deck consists of four special suits: Coins, Cups, Swords, and Clubs. It can be played by two players or four people in partnership.

The players will use their cards to capture point-scoring cards, with captured cards matching or adding up to the value of the card played from hand. Although Scopa is one of the oldest card games, it’s still fun to play, even with the standard deck of cards!

Try Out These Unique Games During Game Nights

With thousands of card games available, these are some of the most unique and exciting ones you can enjoy with your friends and family. Don’t be afraid to try something new and spice up your game nights! Who knows? You might discover a new favorite among these hidden gems in the world of card games!