Classic Card Games
There are three classic card games that stand out for their simplicity and fun: Go Fish, Crazy Eights, and Slapjack. Below, you’ll find a quick guide on how to play each of them.
Go Fish
Go Fish is a game for two or more players. The goal is to form more “books” (sets of four cards with the same rank) than your opponents. Players take turns asking others for a card they need to complete a book.
If the asked player has the card, they must hand it over, and the turn continues. If not, they respond with “Go Fish!”, and the asking player draws a card from the pile. The game continues until all books have been made, and the player with the most books wins.
Crazy Eights
Crazy Eights is similar to UNO and involves getting rid of all your cards. Each player plays a card that matches the suit or rank of the top card on the discard pile. If they can’t play, they draw a card. Eights are “wild cards” and can be played at any time, letting the player choose a new suit. The first player to empty their hand wins the game.
Slapjack
Slapjack is fast-paced and perfect for young players. Each player flips a card onto a central pile. When someone flips a Jack, all players race to slap it. The first person to slap the Jack wins the pile. If a player slaps a card that’s not a Jack, they must give one card to the player who flipped it. The game continues until one player collects all the cards.
Poker: A Game of Skill and Strategy
Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world, known for its blend of strategy, psychology, and chance. The most widely played version is Texas Hold’em.
How to Play Texas Hold’em
Each player receives two private cards called “hole cards.” Then, five community cards are placed face-up on the table. Players use these cards, along with their hole cards, to make the best five-card hand.
The game has four betting rounds:
Pre-flop – After players receive their hole cards
Flop – After the first three community cards are revealed
Turn – After the fourth community card
River – After the fifth and final community card
In each round, players can bet, call, raise, or fold. After the final betting round, remaining players reveal their cards in the showdown. The player with the highest-ranking hand wins the pot.
Hand Rankings (Highest to Lowest)
Royal Flush – A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit
Straight Flush – Five consecutive cards of the same suit
Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same rank
Full House – Three of a kind + one pair
Flush – Five cards of the same suit
Straight – Five consecutive cards, any suits
Three of a Kind – Three cards of the same rank
Two Pair – Two pairs
One Pair – Two cards of the same rank
High Card – The highest card if no other hand applies
Why People Love Poker
Poker isn’t just about the cards—it’s about reading opponents, bluffing effectively, and knowing when to take risks. Skilled players use odds, timing, and psychology to gain an edge over the competition. Check this out! https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/42199/traditional-card-games-that-should-be-played-more
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re casually playing Go Fish, speeding through Slapjack, shedding cards in Crazy Eights, or competing in a tense round of Poker, card games offer something for everyone. Some are about luck, others about strategy—but all of them are a great way to connect, compete, and have fun.