A game that’s truly universal in every way, a sport that transcends age, race, social strata and nationality, an entertaining ‘time-pass’ for dull rainy days, a source of fun and entertainment when amongst friends and family, and in a country like ours even part of a tradition during festivals; playing cards has created its own special niche in our lives and in our hearts. Here is a list of the Top 5 Best Card Games of All Time.

Origin

Speculation rules the roost when it comes to tracing the origins of cards. The general consensus appears that cards originated somewhere in Asia and were carried to the West by crusaders or gypsies or probably even adventurers. This humble deck of cards, a phenomenon of engineering and design, has an interesting trail of history attached to it. Cards have served as droll pastimes, high-stakes gambles, and mesmerizing magic tricks, not to mention as modes of currency and at times even as a medium for top-secret messages. Phew! Isn’t that a lengthy list of accomplishments?

Such a versatile sport has probably countless variations that are played across the globe, each equally, if not more popular than the other. It is also a herculean task to even attempt to classify them in any order of popularity…however let’s give it a shot!

Top 5 Best Card Games of All times

1. RUMMY

Considered by many as the undisputed king of traditional skill games and definitely, one of the most popular, Rummy card games have many versions and variants that have evolved with time and across the globe.

• Involving 2-6 players and sometimes played with two decks, players try to form sets and sequences.
• The players need to arrange the cards dealt at the start of the game by constantly needing to strategize as they pick and discard the right cards.
• Every player picks one from this to create a ‘set’ which is a group of cards with the same rank, though different suits or create a ‘sequence’ which is a collection of consecutive cards of the same suit.
• A useful card is incorporated and instead a useless one is added to the deck in the middle for the next player to pick if needed, if not a fresh one is picked from the deck.
• The first player to form complete sets and/or sequences is the winner.

The online version of this game has in recent times captured the imagination and interest of players worldwide and a score of reliable websites such as Rummy App has only made it easier.

2. DONKEY

• A popular and universally liked card game, Donkey is fun when played by multiple players.
• Cards are distributed equally and one is hidden.
• Every player has to pick one card from the adjacent player’s set. If it matches the card in his set; for example, two fours, then the two cards are thrown in the middle.
• The adjacent player does the same with the card picked by him from the person next to him and so on and so forth.
• Eventually, the player who is left with a card without a match is the Donkey.

3. POKER

• Poker is another all-time favourite card game that requires tremendous skill, although luck plays a huge hand in it too. So essentially, each player is the master of his own fate.
• Played with a deck of 52 cards, it is played between 2 to 7 players.
• Betting is the key in a Poker game, and every player makes bets against each other based on the value of their Poker hand.
• Plastic or ceramic discs called chips are used to make/place the bets.
• Once the game is over, the chips are exchanged for money or counted to decide the order of the winners.

4. BLUFF

• Known by several other names such as Challenge, Cheat and even Bullshit, this fun-filled, light-hearted game, commonly played in close-knit circles of family and friends is based on the element of deceit.
• Once all the cards are evenly dispersed to multiple players, the first player begins by throwing up to 4 cards at a time, claiming them to be a set, for example 4 tens, 4 jacks, 4 fives.
• Any player who suspects the genuineness of the cards can challenge the player to disclose them.
• If the cards turn out to be genuine, the challenger keeps them, and if they do not, then the player who bluffed gets to keep the whole lot!
• The player who gets rid of all his cards is the winner. 

5. BRIDGE

• Apparently, more books are written on Bridge, as compared to any other game and it is one of the most popular games since the 1930s.
• Supposedly touted as the ‘greatest card-game ever’, it is a partnership game involving 4 players divided into 2 teams.
• The game has two parts, the Bidding also called Auction and the Play.
• Played with a 52 cards deck, 13 cards are distributed to each player.
• A trick is essentially a mini-round in the game where each player puts down a card.
• The winner of each trick starts the next one. The object of play is to win tricks, each trick consisting of one card played by one player.

In a nutshell

Playing Cards is just not a sport or source of amusement. Apart from teaching us patience, endurance, strategic thinking and also helping us enhance our memory skills, this humble pack of cards has slowly and gradually over time has wound itself firmly into our lives and continues to do so.