This list focuses on traditional card games that have stood the test of time. While some recent games mentioned, the main goal is to highlight games that use standard decks rather than modern adaptations. Of course, there are countless other games that can be played with standard decks. This list represents the most well-known and the ones I personally like or consider classics best playing card games.
1. Egypt Ratscrew
2-6 players – This is a fast slapping game that is like Slap Jack on steroids and was commercially released under the name Slamwich.
2. Blitz
2-12 players, a popular casual/social card game. Also known as “Scat”, “Thirty-One”, “Ride the Bus”, and “Blitz”. By drawing a card and discarding a card each turn, the goal is to try to improve your three cards to the closest value to 31 points in one suit.
3. Cheat
3-13 players, also known as “I Doubt” or “Bullshit”. This is the best playing card games that many children have played. The goal is to be the first to get rid of all your cards, you can bluff by telling which cards you have played during your turn, but if you are challenged and caught you have to pick up the whole pile.
4. Fan Tan
(3-6 players) – Also known as Sevens, Domino, Parliament and Pay or Play. Players take turns playing cards according to a common layout which will start with seven as the basis for each suit. Once a seven played you can raise or lower your bet on that suit, the goal is to be the first to get rid of all your cards.
5. Golf
(2-6 players) – A great casual game for 2 players, but also for 3 or more. There are many variations, the most common being Six Card Golf, where everyone has a 3×2 grid of cards with different values and you can try to improve them. Just like real golf, the goal is to get the lowest possible score over nine holes or nine hands.
