Easy Card Games to Learn
These 13 games can be learned in a minute or two, with simple rules and no scoring system to memorise. They are the right place to start if you are new to card games, or if you are playing with children or mixed groups.
The list covers luck-only games like War and Old Maid, matching games like Go Fish and Crazy Eights, and gentle solitaires like Klondike and Golf, so you can find something that fits the mood.
Where to start
- No decisions at all: War, Clock or Old Maid.
- Simple matching: Crazy Eights, Go Fish or Rainbow Rush.
- Gentle solitaire: Klondike, Golf or TriPeaks.
All 13 easy card games to learn
Blackjack
Beat the dealer to 21 with chips on the line. Up to five seats.
1–5 playersPlayCheat
Play cards face-down and claim the rank. Bluff - or call out a liar!
3–6 playersPlayClock Patience
A game of pure luck: follow the clock until the fourth King appears.
1 playerPlayCrazy Eights
Match suit or rank, eights are wild. First to empty their hand wins.
2–6 playersPlayGo Fish
Ask for ranks, fish from the pond and collect the most books of four.
2–6 playersPlayGolf
Clear the seven columns by playing cards one rank above or below the waste.
1 playerPlayKlondike
The classic solitaire: build four foundations from Ace to King.
1 playerPlayMemory
Flip two cards per turn, remember where they are and collect the most matching pairs.
2–4 playersPlayOld Maid
Draw blind from your neighbour, pair up and don't get stuck with the odd queen.
2–6 playersPlayRainbow Rush
Match colour or symbol, play action cards and wilds. First to empty their hand wins.
2–8 playersPlaySnap
Play cards in turn and shout Snap when two in a row match.
2–4 playersPlayTri-Peaks
Clear three peaks by playing cards one rank above or below the waste card.
1 playerPlayWar
Flip cards; the higher card takes both. Ties start a war!
2 playersPlay
Compare the games
| Game | Players | Type | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackjack | 1–5 | Table game | Rounds: 10 rounds or 20 rounds or 50 rounds |
| Cheat | 3–6 | Table game | — |
| Clock Patience | 1 | Solitaire | — |
| Crazy Eights | 2–6 | Table game | Drawing: Draw until playable or Draw one card |
| Go Fish | 2–6 | Table game | — |
| Golf | 1 | Solitaire | King-Ace wrap: Off or On |
| Klondike | 1 | Solitaire | Cards per draw: Draw one or Draw three |
| Memory | 2–4 | Table game | Cards: 24 cards or 36 cards or 52 cards |
| Old Maid | 2–6 | Table game | — |
| Rainbow Rush | 2–8 | Table game | Stack draw cards: Off or On |
| Snap | 2–4 | Table game | — |
| Tri-Peaks | 1 | Solitaire | Wrap-around: Off or On (K-A) |
| War | 2 | Table game | — |