5 Classic Card Games Every Family Should Know

Every family enjoys playing cards, especially the classic games. Probably the first experience any kid has with a deck of cards is playing Go Fish. From there, many go on to enjoy Rummy, Spades, Hearts, Euchre, Bridge, or a dozen other card games.

While those games are great, they’re also a bit more complex than the classics. Classic card games are simple, easy, and fun to play. Accessible for all ages and skill. They’ve also been around a long time.

Here’s a list of classic card games excellent for any family game night. Anyone can learn, so they’re inclusive for kids and adults. They only require a regular deck of cards and players willing to play.

As previously mentioned, Go Fish is a card game just about everyone played as a kid. In case you’re one of the rare people who never heard of it, the idea is to get the most matches.

The rules vary, but 5, 7 or 11 cards are dealt depending on the number of players. The less people playing the more cards are dealt. Then players take turns asking another player for a specific card, such as a 4. If they have any 4’s, then they have to hand over all of them. If not they say go fish then the player asking has to draw from the leftover deck. Which is either in a stack or spread out in a loose pile.

Some variations allow for the player asking to continue their turn as long as they get the card or cards they’re asking for. Only when they hear Go Fish is their turn over. In my experience, the game is better when each player gets one “ask”.

The game is finished when all the cards are matched. Should anyone run out of cards in their hand they draw a card from the pile. Standard rules require 4 of a kind but you can switch it up to allow for pairs instead. It makes the game easier.

It’s a very well known game, which is very popular among Grandparents and Grandchildren. I know our kids and their Grandparents have enjoyed many games of Go Fish.

Another classic children’s game, Old Maid is a highly underrated game in my opinion. The idea is to avoid being stuck with the odd card out. Or alternatively, having the winner be the person with the odd card out.

Either way, the game is played the same. The deck is setup with an odd card. Which is accomplished by doing one of the following:

• Adding one joker
• Removing one card (typically a queen, jack, or king)
• Removing three matching cards (typically queens, jacks, or kings)

Once this is done every card is dealt. Some players will have an extra card which is normal. Players sort their cards and lay down any pairs. For a harder version you can require 4 of a kind but this version requires removing three matching cards or adding one joker.

Once any matching cards are laid down, the player to the dealers left starts by taking one card from one player of their choice. If it’s a match they can lay it down and their turn is over. If it isn’t a match their turn is still over.

The game continues until one person is stuck with the single card from the deck. Players are eliminated when they run out of cards. While it’s meant to be a secret who has the odd card out, sometimes people let the cat out of the bag so to speak.

Then again, it brings out the acting ability in some people. Whether they’re bluffing or have a poker face, it’s a fun game for all ages.

This classic game is about as simple as it comes. In the game of War, all the cards are shuffled and dealt to all the players. Whether it’s two or ten players nobody is allowed to look at their card. The cards are stacked face down in front of each player.

Once all the cards are dealt and stacked, the game starts by saying “Three, two, one… WAR!”. Then each player draws one card and throws it in the middle face up. High card wins, Ace being above king.

The winner takes all the cards in the pile and adds them to the bottom of their stack. In case of any ties, the other players sit out while the tied players play out their own round of war until someone wins.

The game ends when one player wins all the cards. Which usually takes more time than you’d think. In case you run out of time, everyone counts their cards and the one with the most wins.

Due to it’s basic rules and gameplay, this game is a popular classic card game for people of all ages.

A classic game played with cards is Memory. The cards are laid out face down, spread out so they aren’t touching one another. Then the first player takes their turn by picking two cards to turn face up.

If they match then the player gets to keep them. If not they are turned face down and the next player takes a turn. Once all the cards are matched the game is over. The player with the most matches wins.

While this is a classic kids game, it gets progressively harder for older people. Grandma and Grandpa may be eating some humble pie playing this game with their grandkids. Especially if they were a bit ruthless in their game of Old Maid.

This classic game goes by many names, but is played the same. It’s a classic bluffing game. Players are forced to lie sooner or later then see if they get away with it.

It’s just a game so don’t take it too seriously. In my experience it’s an opportunity to teach kids some good lessons about lying. As opposed to them learning in the school of hard knocks.

The game begins by dealing out all the cards to every player. It’s fine if a few players have an extra card. Once all the cards are dealt, the player to the dealers left begins by announcing the card or cards they’re placing, face down, in the middle.

Traditionally, the first player is expected to start with aces. However, you can start with any card. The player is required to lay down one or more cards and announce which card or cards they’re laying down.

Then the next player has to play the next card in sequence. For example, if player one started with aces, the second player has to lay down two’s, and so on. If they started with queens, then the next player lays down kings, and so on.

Whether the card or cards each player lays down are actually what they say is up to them. Many times, the player is forced to lie. Sometimes players just can’t help themselves.

At any rate, after any card or cards are played the other players are allowed to say baloney! When that happens, the cards are turned face up. If they player was telling the truth, the player calling baloney picks up all the cards in the pile.

On the other hand, if the player was bluffing, then they have to pick up all the cards. Similar to war, this game lasts a lot longer than expected.

Hopefully, the crowd you play with is good natured. Baloney brings out the worst in some people.

These 5 card games are classics everyone should know. They’re especially great for kids but also are enduring enough for people of all ages. Including grandparents.

They’re easy to learn and play, yet are engaging. These traits, as well as being around for ages, qualify them as classic card games. Ones every family should play together.