12 Fun Games To Play With A Deck of Cards for 2 People

Whether you're looking for something to do with your partner on a cozy night in, or trying to teach your kids some new indoor games that will keep them off of their computers, gaming equipment and other devices, the following card games for two players are guaranteed to be a hit in any household.

Here we have listed several of the most popular and oft-played card games for two players, and we've included a brief introduction about the rules for each game.

Editors' Picks for Top Card games for 2 People in 2023

• #
  Preview
  Product
  Rating
• Bestseller No. 1
  
  Space Park, a Family stategy Game About Exploring National Parks in Space
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• Bestseller No. 2
  
  Couch Skeletons Card Game for Two Players
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• Bestseller No. 3
  
  Pandasaurus Games The Game - Family-Friendly Board Games - Adult Games for Game Night -...
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• Bestseller No. 4
  
  Dungeon Mayhem | Dungeons & Dragons Card Game | 2–4 Players, 120 Cards
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• Bestseller No. 5
  
  Renegade Game Studios - The Fox in the Forest Card Game (0574RGS), A Trick-Taking Game...
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• Bestseller No. 6
  
  Renegade Game Studios Arboretum Strategy Card Game that Challenges 2-4 Players Aged 8 &...
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• Bestseller No. 7
  
  KOMBIO | The All-in-One Card Game | 2-6+ Players | Speed | Memory | Strategy
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• Bestseller No. 8
  
  Control 2nd Edition: Quick, Travel Sized 2 Player Card Game About Time Travel
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• Bestseller No. 9
  
  Quiddler Card Game
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Best Fun Games Cards for 2 People

1. Go Fish

Go Fish is a classic game that has been played among two players for decades. The goal of the game is to create as many piles or sets as you can, with those piles or sets being two cards of the same value-2s, 5s. Kings, etc.

In Go Fish each player is dealt seven cards to start, for a total of 14 cards being distributed. The remainder of the cards-38-are placed in the center between the two players. This is the stack from each of the two players will draw.

After seven cards are distributed to each player, the non-dealing player gets to go first. He or she will ask the opposing player if they have any 2s through Aces, but they can only ask that player for a card that they also possess in their hand.

For example, if the asking player has a seven card hand of 2, 6, 9, 10, Q, K, A, they can only ask their opponent for one of those cards. If the opposing player does indeed have the card that was asked for, they must then give it to the asking player, who will then put that card and their card (of the same value) in a 2-card pile or set in front of them.

On the other hand, if the opposing player does not have the card that was asked for, he or she will say "Go Fish" and the asking player must draw a card from the pile. After that the roles of the two players switch and the other player becomes the "asker."

This continues throughout the game-back and forth-and the winner in the end is the person with the most 2-card sets in front of them.

2. Crazy Eights - Link

Crazy Eights is a great and exciting game for kids and adults alike. The game is played very similar to the card game known as UNO, only with a standard deck of cards.

In Crazy Eights, the primary object of the game is to be the first to get rid of all the player's cards to a discard pile by matching the number or suit to the current card in the discard pile.

When a player plays one of the four "Crazy Eights," that card is wild and the player can place it on any number or suit while simultaneously changing the suit to something he or she has a lot of in the hand.

3. Gin Rummy - Link

An easy game to learn, play and teach, Gin Rummy is a two-handed form of the card game rummy in which players are dealt ten cards each and attempt to produce a hand in which the point value of unmatched cards adds up to ten or less.

The game is very challenging and fun and we bet you will not be able to stop after just one game!

4. Slap Jack - Link

The game of Slap Jack is also known as "Heart Attack" due to the fast-paced action and the all-out energy of the game.

In Slap Jack, cards are turned over one-by-one until a Jack appears on the top of the stack.

When that happens, each players tries to be the first one to "slap the Jack" with their hand, and thus collect all of the cards below.

5. War - Link

War is the quintessential game in which the high card always wins. Players are dealt 26 cards each-half of the deck-and then one-by-one they begin turning over their cards.

Each time this is done, the player with the higher card wins, and then stacks those two cards in a pile in front of them. Once all 26 cards have been turned over, the player with the largest stack of cards wins.

One fun caveat in the game of War is when both players turn over the identical card (8 and 8, K and K, etc.). In this eventuality, each player lays three cards from their stack face down, and then reveals the 4th card.

The player with the higher 4th card gets to keep all of the cards in play, rapidly adding to their pile. However, if this process leads to another tie, the process is repeated, allowing the winner of the "War" a chance to win a sizable portion of the deck.

6. Double Solitaire - Link

Most people think of Solitaire as a one-person game, but in this exciting version of the game the fun is actually doubled when two players play together.

The object of Double Solitaire is to use up all your cards by re-ordering the deck by suit and rank through a series of moves.

Double Solitaire is also known as the game of "Patience," largely because it can take a lot of time to conclude a single game.

As such, it is the perfect rainy day game for kids when you're looking to kill as much time as possible.

7. Golf - Link

Golf is another fun card game that can be played by 2-6 players.

In this fast-paced game, the object is to try to get your best (lowest) golf score over the course of nine deals with 9 cards in play.

This game also teaches counting skills (good for teaching your kids) and forces players to think on their feet.

8. Speed - Link

The game of Speed is all about, well, speed.

This wild and crazy game is all about quickness of the mind and hands; it helps develop important counting and sequencing skills while also burning off all that pent-up energy.

The object of the game is to see who is fastest when putting cards in a sequencing order.

9. Blackjack - Link

Also known as "21" the game of Blackjack can be played by two players or multiple players. In this standard casino game, which even rivals poker in terms of popularity, one player acts as the dealer or house, while the other player plays against the house.

The dealer deals two face-down cards to the player and two cards to himself, one face-down and one face-up. The object of the game for the player is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over.

All cards are counted at face value, the jacks, queens and aces are worth ten points and the aces can be counted as 1 or 11. The player can hit (take a card) or stand, but if he goes over 21 (busts) he must flip up his cards.

If the player does not bust while hitting, the dealer will then take his turn. The dealer must hit on any hand that adds up to 16 or lower, and he must stand on any hand of 17 or above.

The winner is the person with the hand closest to 21 without going over.

10. Kings Corner - Link

Played for years upon years, Kings Corner is a tactical and snappy card game in which all four kings are placed in a square and it feels like everybody's playing a single game of solitaire - but there's only one winner!

11. 5-Card Draw - Link

5-Card Draw is a form of poker in which each player is dealt five cards. The players can then either keep the hand they were dealt, or draw up to four cards (you must hold at least one original card) from the deck to try and improve their hand.

In the end of 5-Card Draw, the player with the best hand wins.

As in all poker, players are trying to get the following hands, which become more valuable as the list goes on: one pair, two pair, three of a kind, a straight (five cards in numerical order), a flush (five cards of the same suit), a full-house (a three of a kind and a pair in the same hand), four of a kind, a straight flush (five cards of the same suit in numerical order), and the granddaddy of all hands, the Royal Flush (10, J, Q, K, A, all in the same suit).

In some variations of 5-Card Draw an agreed upon wild card can be named-a card that can represent any face value and/or any suit.

12. Canasta - Link

Although usually played with a group, Canasta can be equally fun with two players.

In this game players will use a combination of three card decks.

The object is to meld cards just like you would do in games like Hearts and Spades and score points to be the winner.

Click for Price

13. NEXCI Scrimish Card Game - Link

When it comes to card games, you want a simple, easy-to-learn game that requires strategy and a bit of memory activity to play. In which case, the NEXCI Scrimish Card game excels.

It is a fast-paced game where each match takes about 10 minutes to complete. The game is suitable to play for families, adults, and kids alike. The recommended age for this game is 8 years and up which makes it a good game idea for a family games night.

GAMEPLAY

The game is not only playable at just about any place. It is also incredibly easy to play. All each player has to do is figure out the crown card of his or her opponent. The pack comes with two decks of 25 cards each in red and blue. Only two players can play at a time using one pack however you can purchase multiple packs to increase the difficulty and experience.

Pros

·The game has a ton of replay value. You can play the game over and over with the same opponent without getting tired.

·The rules are incredibly easy to learn, even for kids!

·The cards are of quality make

·It is a great gifting idea if you are looking for a gift to give your friends.

·It requires focus, not just to predict your opponent's crown card but to also spot any clue your opponent unconsciously gives!

NOTE: The clue might also be misdirection! So do not say you were not warned. Be on your guard at all times as the game can quickly get intense.

Drawback

·Although multiple players can play provided you purchase more packs, all the cards are in default red or blue cards. This can be a little confusing if the playing area is a bit clustered since there is no definitive way to say whose card is which.

Best Card Games for 2 People Buying Guide

Things to consider before buying a card game

There is an incredible variety of card games in the world right now. This isn't very surprising since a lot of people love card games whether it is a card game that involves the use of boards or not.

If there is one thing, we can all agree on, it's that there are way too many different kinds of card games available right now. This can make selecting the right one you can play with your friends, partner, kids, or family rather a bit of a hassle. So you can make the right card game decision, here are some tips you want to keep in mind:

Type of Card game

This is the first thing you want to consider while looking for the right card games for you. Most card games are strategy games but there are others. The best thing you can do is research the gameplay of the different games on your shortlist. That way, you can know if it is interesting enough for you to pay attention to or not.

Relevant feedback of the game

Apart from considering how much a card game costs, we highly recommend looking for relevant reviews of the card game before buying it.

It is safe to say product descriptions are often sugar-coated. The best way to quickly learn if a game is good or not is to know what others who have played the game before have to say about it. With this information, you can thus determine if a game would be worth buying or not.

You might also learn one or two things about the game that isn't specified in the game's product description or manual.

Depending on how extensive your research is, you might also be able to figure out if the game you are planning to buy is massively overpriced.

How much does it cost?

This might not be particularly important to you but it is also important to consider. You will be surprised at how overpriced some games are.

So how do you determine if a card game is worth the money it costs?

For the most part, you have to consider if the sellers or store you are buying from isn't selling the card game far higher than the normal market value.

You also have to consider the material the playing card is made from. Card games made of plastic are usually the most expensive while paper card games are relatively cheaper. The material of the card game you intend to buy must be well worth its price.

The age group that can play the game

All card games have a specific age limit that can play them. The age group determines how advanced the game is and how technical it would be for kids to understand.

The type of game you purchase must depend on the type of people you expect to play the game with you. There is no single-player card game which in essence means you have to play with someone. This could be your kid, your parent, your husband or wife, or your friends.

Once you figure out who would be playing the game, you can then research the best type of card game that fits the age group of the people you want to play with.

Number of players

Card games can be played at a single time by a varying number of players. There are no single-player card games since that automatically defeats the purpose of playing a card game. That said, the minimum number of players that can play any card game at a time is two (2) players.

There are card games that require a minimum of four (4) players to play. The maximum number of players that can play a card game at a single time usually ranges between eight (8) and ten (10). To know the exact number, you have to check the product description or label of the said card game.

Hence, the number of players that can play a card game in one sitting is important to consider. If you are looking to buy a card game for your occasional pastime, then you need don't need to get a card game that supports up to eight (8) players at a time. However, for family game nights, the more players the game can support at once, the better.

FAQs

What is the recommended ages limit for a card game?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to card games and for good reason. You don't want to simply buy a card game that you intend to play with your kids only to discover that your child is not old enough. Not only would you have to spend an incredibly long amount of time trying to explain how the game work, but there is also a big chance the experience won't be worthwhile.

The recommended age limit for card games varies from one game to another depending on the type of game and the rules involved. You will have to check the instructions manual or the label on the game to be sure it is the right fit for you or your kids.

The good news is that there are tons of family-friendly card games on the market so you definitely won't be short of options.

How easy is it to store card games?

Card games as the name imply mean you have to deal with a lot of cards. This in itself might sound or seem easy but it can be very difficult.

For one, the cards in different types of card games are made using different materials. Paper cards are much more susceptible to wear if they are left lying around when they are not in use. Hence, how you store each card game differs from one game to the other.

Should a card game be entertaining or educational?

Whether a card game is entertaining or educational depends on your personal preference. This is more of a question you want to ask yourself before buying a card game.

So should a card game be entertaining or educational? Fortunately, you don't have to think or worry too much about this. There are so many family card games. Some are designed for their entertainment value. While others are designed to help develop your child's cognitive and problem-solving skills.

You must decide which game would give your kids or family the best experience and buy it whether it is educational or entertaining.

Paper card games vs plastic card games: Which is better?

Playing cards are not made of only paper or plastic. They are also made of vinyl.

Plastic playing cards are the most premium cards and are mostly used in casinos. They are also very durable and are expensive.

Vinyl cards are the next best thing after Plastic playing cards. They are slightly cheaper and not very durable. They are also not very popular.

Paper cards are the cheapest and more popular. They are the least durable type of playing cards you can buy since they quickly wear and fold.