Card games have a rich history in India, serving as a means of interaction and entertainment across generations. These games promote social engagement and help build stronger bonds among loved ones. They require strategic thinking and decision-making skills to outwit opponents. Additionally, card games are fun-filled and accessible to people of all ages, regardless of gaming experience. Here is a comprehensive list of some of India’s best card games that have stood the test of time, continuing to be enjoyed as cherished family traditions.

Card games have been a staple of entertainment for centuries, captivating individuals and groups alike with their blend of strategy, skill, and chance. From ancient Chinese games to modern favourites like Poker and Rummy, card games offer an array of benefits that extend far beyond mere amusement.

Why Play Card Games

Historical Significance

Card games have a rich history dating back to the 9th century during the Tang Dynasty in China. They spread across cultures and continents, evolving into the diverse array of games we enjoy today. This historical journey of card games underscores their universal appeal and enduring nature.

Cognitive Benefits

Playing card games is not only fun but also intellectually stimulating. Here are some cognitive benefits associated with card games:

• Improved Memory: Games like Concentration and Bridge require players to remember cards, enhancing memory and recall skills.
• Strategic Thinking: Games such as Poker, Spades, and Euchre involve complex strategies and planning ahead, fostering critical thinking.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Card games often present players with problems that need quick and effective solutions, improving problem-solving abilities.
• Attention and Focus: Maintaining concentration is crucial in many card games, helping players develop better attention spans.

Social Interaction

Card games are an excellent medium for socialisation. They bring people together, fostering communication and camaraderie. Whether it’s a family game night, a friendly competition among peers, or a community tournament, card games enhance social bonds and create lasting memories.

• Teamwork: Games like Bridge and Spades require players to work in teams, promoting cooperation and collaborative skills.
• Communication: Many card games necessitate verbal and non-verbal communication, helping players enhance their communication abilities.
• Friendly Competition: Card games encourage a spirit of healthy competition, teaching players how to win graciously and lose with dignity.

Stress Relief and Relaxation

Playing card games can be a great way to unwind and relieve stress. The focus required to play can divert attention from everyday worries, offering a mental break and promoting relaxation. The enjoyment derived from playing can release endorphins, contributing to a sense of well-being.

Versatility and Accessibility

One of the key advantages of card games is their versatility. They can be played almost anywhere and require minimal equipment. A standard deck of cards is portable and inexpensive, making it accessible to a wide range of people.

List of Best Card Games to Play

1- Indian Rummy

Rummy is among the popular card games played with a 52-car d deck among four players. The game’s objective is to create melds of sets and sequences by drawing and discarding cards from the stockpile to the open pile, respectively. The player who completes their hand with a valid declaration wins the game. Among India’s best card games, rummy game has three popular versions: Points Rummy, Pool Rummy and Deals Rummy.

How to Play Indian Rummy

Indian Rummy is a popular card game in India that blends elements of Rummy and Gin Rummy. It is typically played with 2 to 6 players using one or two standard decks of cards, along with jokers.

Objective: The primary objective of Indian Rummy is to form valid sets and sequences from the cards dealt to each player. The player must declare their hand first and have at least two sequences, one of which must be a pure sequence (without a joker).

Setup to Play Indian Rummy

1. Number of Decks: Use two standard decks of 52 cards each, plus 2 jokers per deck, for a total of 108 cards.
2. Dealing Cards: Each player is dealt 13 cards. In a 2-player game, one deck may be used; in a game with more players, use two decks.
   Game Play
3. Drawing and Discarding Cards: Players take turns drawing a card from either the closed deck (face-down) or the open deck (face-up discard pile) and then discarding one card to the open deck. The game continues clockwise.
4. Forming Sets and Sequences:

• Sequence: A sequence is a consecutive group of cards of the same suit.
• Pure Sequence: A sequence without any jokers (e.g., 5♠, 6♠, 7♠).
• Impure Sequence: A sequence that includes jokers (e.g., 5♠, Joker, 7♠).
• Set: A set is a group of three or four cards of the same rank but different suits (e.g., 7♠, 7♦, 7♣).

1. Using Jokers: Jokers can be used as substitutes for any card to form sets and sequences. There are two types of jokers in Indian Rummy:

• Printed Jokers: Cards specifically marked as jokers.
• Wild Jokers: A card randomly selected at the start of the game to act as a joker for that round.

1. Declaring: When a player believes they have formed valid sets and sequences, they can declare their hand. The declaration must include at least two sequences, one of which must be a pure sequence. The remaining cards can form either sets or sequences.

Scoring in India Rummy

• Valid Declaration: If the declaring player has a valid hand, they score 0 points.
• Invalid Declaration: If the declaration is invalid, the declaring player receives penalty points based on the cards they hold.
• Non-Declaring Players: The other players count the points of their unmatched cards (those not in sequences or sets). Each card has a point value:
• Face cards (King, Queen, Jack) and Aces: 10 points each.
• Number cards: Points equal to their face value.
• Jokers: 0 points.
• Game Points: The game can be played until a player reaches a predetermined points limit (e.g., 101 or 201 points). The player with the lowest score wins.

Tips for Winning Rummy Game

1. Focus on Pure Sequences: Form pure sequences early in the game to reduce penalty points.
2. Use Jokers Wisely: Utilise jokers to complete sets and sequences but prioritise pure sequences first.
3. Observe Discards: Pay attention to cards discarded by opponents to gauge which cards they might need.
4. Discard High-Value Cards: If they are not part of sequences or sets, discard high-value cards early to minimise points in case of an opponent’s declaration.

2- Call Break

Call Break is a trick-taking Indian card game where you bid on a number of tricks you will call before the game ends. When the callbreak game starts, the dealer hands each player 13 cards, allowing them to bid on their tricks. A player who successfully calls the number of tricks equal to or more than their initial bid wins the game.

How to Play Call Break

Objective: Win the number of tricks (rounds) you bid at the beginning of each hand.

Setup of Call Break Gameplay:

• Players: 4
• Deck: Standard 52-card deck

Bidding in Call Break:

1. Each player is dealt 13 cards.
2. Players bid the number of tricks they expect to win, starting with the player to the dealer’s right.

Game Play in Call Break:

1. The player to the dealer’s right leads the first trick.
2. Players must follow suit if possible. If not, they may play any card.
3. The highest card of the led suit wins the trick unless a trump card (spade) is played.
4. The winner of the trick leads the next one.

Scoring In Call Break:

1. Players count the number of tricks won.

• Meet or exceed the bid: score points equal to the bid.
• Win fewer tricks than the bid: lose points equal to the bid.
• Some variations award an extra point for each trick over the bid.

2. The game is played over several rounds (mostly 3), and the player with the highest cumulative score wins.

Additional Read: A Beginner’s Guide to this Strategic Trick-Based Game

3- Poker

Poker is a traditional card game which is skill-based where players use five cards to make a winning hand. Poker game has ten hand rankings, from the strongest to the weakest, determining a player’s score. Every poker version has a series of betting rounds: the Flop, Pre-Flop, Turn and River. The gameplay is determined by the strength of your hand, where you raise, check, call or fold. Big Cash’s main poker versions include Texas Hold’em, PL Omaha and NL Hold’em.

How to Play Poker: Texas Hold’em

Objective: The goal is to win chips by having the best hand of five cards or by convincing other players to fold.

Setup to Play Texas Hold’em

1. Players: Typically 2-10 players.
2. Deck: A standard 52-card deck.
3. Blinds: Two forced bets called the small blind and the big blind, posted by the two players to the left of the dealer. Game Play
4. Dealing: Each player is dealt two private cards (hole cards) face down.
5. Betting Rounds:

• Pre-Flop: Players look at their hole cards and decide whether to call, raise, or fold, starting with the player to the left of the big blind.
• Flop: Three community cards are dealt face up. Another round of betting starts with the player to the left of the dealer.
• Turn: A fourth community card is dealt face up. Another round of betting ensues.
• River: A fifth and final community card is dealt face up. The final round of betting starts.

6. Showdown: If more than one player remains after the final betting round, players reveal their hole cards. The best five-card hand using any combination of the hole cards and community cards wins the pot.

7. Hand Rankings in Poker (from highest to lowest)

• Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10, all 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 plus a pair.
• Flush: Five cards of the same suit.
• Straight: Five consecutive cards of different suits.
• Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.
• Two Pair: Two different pairs.
• One Pair: One pair of cards of the same rank.
• High Card: When no other hand is made, the highest card wins.

8. Betting Actions in Poker

• Fold: Discard your hand and forfeit the round.
• Check: Pass the action to the next player without betting.
• Call: Match the current bet.
• Raise: Increase the bet.
• All-In: Bet all your remaining chips.

4- Satte Pe Satta

Satte Pe Satta is one of the greatest Indian card games that hosts between three and eight players using a 52-card deck. After the cards are equally distributed among the players, the player with the seven hearts plays first. The other players go for either a six or an eighth of stars. The game proceeds in rounds until one player discards all their cards and wins.

How to Play Satte Pe Satta

Satte Pe Satta is a fun and strategic card game popular in South Asia, especially in India. It is typically played with a standard deck of 52 cards.

The objective of Satte Pe Satta: The goal is to be the first to play all your cards by forming sequences starting from the 7 of each suit.

Setup to Play Satte Pe Satta

1. Players: 3 to 8 players.
2. Deck: A standard 52-card deck.
3. Dealing: Shuffle the deck and deal all the cards evenly among the players. Some players may have one more card than others if the deck doesn’t divide evenly. Game Play
4. Starting the Game: The player with the 7 of hearts (7♥) starts the game by placing it in the centre.
5. Playing Cards:

• Players take turns, proceeding clockwise.
• On a turn, a player must play a card that continues the sequence in any suit. The sequences start with 7 and extend to both the 6 and the 8, and so on (e.g., 6, 5, 4, or 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A).
• For example, if the 7♥ is played, the next player can play either the 6♥ or 8♥.
• If a player cannot play a card, they pass their turn.

6. Building Sequences: Sequences are built around the 7s of each suit. For example, once 7♥ is played, the sequences can extend up or down (7♥, 6♥, 5♥… or 7♥, 8♥, 9♥…).

7. Passing: If a player cannot play any card on their turn, they must pass. The turn then moves to the next player.

8. Winning: The first player to play all their cards wins the game. The game can continue until all but one player have played all their cards, with the last player left holding cards being the loser.

Also Read: 40+ Best Real Money Earning Games of 2024

5- Donkey

Donkey is challenging because the first person to get a four-of-a-kind wins the round. This game requires a rook-playing card deck with 56 cards. The game is also fast-paced and requires players to make fast moves to create a winning combination. Place the winning cards face down on the table, and hold your position. The last player to place their cards will be named the “Donkey.”

How to Play Donkey

Objective: Avoid being the last player to form a complete set of four cards of the same rank.

Setup to Play Donkey:

1. Players: 3 to 8.
2. Deck: Standard 52-card deck. Remove one card if needed.
3. Dealing: Deal all cards to players.

Game Play of Donkey:

1. Form Sets: Collect four cards of the same rank.
2. Pass Cards: Each player passes one card to the left and receives one from the right simultaneously.
3. Declare “Donkey”: When a player forms a set, they place their cards down and say “Donkey.” Other players must do the same quickly.
4. Last Player: The last player to declare “Donkey” is the “Donkey” for that round.

Winning: Play multiple rounds. The player who avoids being the “Donkey” the most wins the game.

6- Andar Bahar

Andar Bahar is one of the popular card games you can play online in India. Players must place their bets when the game starts by predicting the result. The dealer places one card at the centre of the table before dishing out more on the left and right sides of the one card. When one of the cards matches the one in the centre, this presents a 50/50 chance of winning, depending on the side you placed your bets.

How to Play Andar Bahar

Andar Bahar is a simple and popular card game often played in India. It’s a game of chance where players bet on which side (Andar or Bahar) will match the value of a designated card.

Objective of Andar Bahar Game: Bet on whether the next card dealt will match the value of the “Joker” card on the Andar (inside) or Bahar (outside) side.

Setup

1. Deck: A standard 52-card deck.
2. Joker Card: A card is randomly selected and placed face-up in the center. This is the “Joker” card. Game Play
3. Betting:

• Players place their bets on either “Andar” (inside) or “Bahar” (outside), predicting where the card matching the Joker card’s value will appear.

4. Dealing Cards:

• The dealer starts dealing cards alternately to the Andar and Bahar sides, one card at a time.
• Cards are dealt face-up to each side until a card matching the Joker’s value is dealt.

5. Determining the Winner:

• The side where the matching card appears first wins.
• If you bet on the winning side, you win the round; otherwise, you lose your bet. Example

1. Joker Card: Suppose the Joker card is a 7 of Hearts.
2. Betting: You bet on Andar.
3. Dealing: The dealer places cards alternately on Andar and Bahar.
4. Result: If the 7 of Hearts appears first on the Andar side, you win; if it appears on Bahar, you lose.

7- Bluff

Bluff uses a standard deck with 52 cards equally distributed to four players. After dealing with the cards, a player places several cards of the same rank face down and declares their hand. The trick is to avoid telling the truth about the cards you are playing. The other players will determine whether you are bluffing or not. The player who gets rid of their hands faster wins the game.

How to Play Bluff

Bluff, also known as “Cheat” or “I Doubt It,” is a fun and strategic card game that involves deception and keen observation.

Objective: Get rid of all your cards by bluffing and correctly identifying other players’ bluffs.

Setup to Play Bluff

1. Players: 3 to 6 players.
2. Deck: A standard 52-card deck. Deal all the cards to the players. Game Play
3. Starting the Game:

• The player to the left of the dealer goes first and places one or more cards face-down in the center, declaring the rank of the cards (e.g., “Two Jacks”).
• Players can either truthfully play the declared rank or bluff about it.

4. Challenging a Play:

• After a player places cards and makes a declaration, any other player can challenge the claim if they suspect a bluff.
• If challenged, the cards are revealed. If the declaration is true, the challenger must pick up the entire pile of cards in the center. If the declaration is false, the player who made the false declaration picks up the pile.

5. Next Turn:

• The player who successfully bluffed or had their bluff called starts the next round, and play continues clockwise.

6. Winning:

• The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the game.
• The game can be played in multiple rounds, with the player who wins the most rounds being declared the overall winner.

Also Read: 35+ Best Money Earning Apps In India [2024]

8- Bridge

Bridge uses a standard 52-card deck with four players required to score as many points and beat the opponents. Each player gets thirteen cards, and in each turn, they play a card of the highest rank and suit. If you have it, you play by placing down a card as per the previous player’s suit. The Ace card ranks higher and two the lowest; spades are worth 50 points, diamonds, clubs and hearts worth 20 points.

How to Play Bridge

Objective: Win as many tricks as possible and fulfil the contract bid by your partnership.

Setup to Play Bridge:

1. Players: 4, in two partnerships.
2. Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
3. Deal: Each player receives 13 cards.

Game Play of Bridge:

1- Bidding:

• Players bid in clockwise order, aiming to set a contract (e.g., 3 Hearts means 9 tricks with Hearts as the trump suit).
• Bidding ends when three players pass after a bid. The final bid becomes the contract.

2- Playing:

• Declarer: The player who made the final bid plays their own hand and their partner’s hand (the dummy).
• Tricks: Players play one card each. The highest card of the suit led wins, unless a trump card is played. The winner of each trick leads the next.

3- Scoring:

• Contract: The declarer’s partnership must win the number of tricks bid.
• Points: Points are awarded based on tricks won and the contract suit.

4- Winning:

• The partnership that meets their contract and scores the most points wins.

9- Blackjack

Blackjack is a global card game that sticks to its traditional rules. The game’s objective is to score points close to 21 without exceeding. Players are required to take hits or sticks depending on how close they are to scoring 21. Blackjack is among the best card games to play in 2024.

How to Play Blackjack

Objective: Get a hand value as close to 21 as possible without going over, and beat the dealer’s hand.

Card Values in Blackjack:

• Number Cards: Face value (2-10).
• Face Cards (J, Q, K): Worth 10 points.
• Aces: Worth 1 or 11 points.

Game Play of Blackjack:

1- Dealing:

• Players and dealers each get two cards. Players’ cards are face-up; the dealer has one face-up and one face-down card.

2- Player’s Turn:

• Hit: Take another card.
• Stand: Keep your hand as is.
• Double Down: Double your bet and take one more card.
• Split: Separate two cards of the same value into two hands.
• Surrender: Forfeit half your bet (if allowed).

3- Dealer’s Turn:

• Dealer reveals their hole card and hits until reaching 17 or higher.

4- Winning:

• Blackjack: Ace and a 10-point card on the initial deal wins 1.5 times your bet.
• Win: Hand is closer to 21 than the dealer’s without busting.
• Push: Tie with the dealer.
• Lose: Hand exceeds 21 or is lower than the dealer’s.

10- Teen Patti

Teen Patti is a game that shares the same gameplay as poker and uses a three-card hand. It is played among three to six players who make the minimum bet on the pot at the centre of the playing area. The last person standing with the strongest hand wins the game. The play involves calling, folding or raising based on the previously played card.

How to Play Teen Patti

Objective: Win the pot by having the best hand or by making others fold.

Setup:

1. Players: 3 to 6.
2. Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
3. Deal: Each player gets 3 face-down cards.

Hand Rankings (Highest to Lowest) in Teen Patti:

1. Trail: Three cards of the same rank.
2. Pure Sequence: Three consecutive cards of the same suit.
3. Sequence: Three cards of the same suit, not consecutive.
4. Color: Three consecutive cards, not all of the same suit.
5. Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
6. High Card: Highest single card.

Game Play:

1. Betting: Players place initial bets (antes) and then bet or fold in rounds.
2. Showdown: If more than one player remains after betting, reveal cards. The best hand wins the pot.

11- 3-2-5

3-2-5 is a commonly played game in India and is among the oldest games you can play online. It is a trick-taking card game that requires 30 cards. Players have a quota of two, three or five and must try to win a specific number of tricks. This is one of the best card games to play in 2024 with friends and family.

12- Mendikot

Mendikot is a famous card game in the western states of India. The game uses a 52-card deck shared among four players who create two teams. The objective is for players to collect a maximum of 10 numbered cards. The player at the dealer’s right picks a card from the shuffled deck and then plays a card to start the first trick. Other players have to throw a higher-value card to win the trick. The one with the highest trump wins and takes all the cards.

13- Solitaire Card Game

Solitaire is a single-player game played using a 52-card deck and involves moving cards across tables and organising them in specific sequences from highest to lowest. The arrangement of the cards follows ascending values in alternating colours. After arranging all four suits, you move them to the foundation piles to win the game.

14- Hearts

Hearts is among the best card games to play in 2024 played among four players. The game’s objective is for players to avoid taking specific cards, the hearts and Queen of Spades and earn the least points. Players pass cards to each other for strategic thinking and prediction of moves. If a player takes all 13 hearts and the Queen of Spades, they have technically “Shot the moon” and earned 0 points, while other players are awarded 26 points.

15- Twenty Eighty

The 28-card game, or “Twenty-Eight”, is a trick-taking card game played among four players who build two teams. The game uses only 28 cards, including 7s through Aces in each suit, and the objective is for the first team to score 28 points. Points are trick-based, and the highest card of the suit dealt wins each trick.

16- Go Fish

Go Fish is a classic game that requires two or more players and uses a 52-card deck. The aim is to collect as many sets of four cards as possible. The dealer hands each player cards, and the rest are placed face down at the table’s centre. The first player asks an opponent if they have a specific card. If they do, they give it to the first player who shows the matching sets of four cards they have. When a player does not have the requested card, the first player must “go fish” and draw a card from the centre pile.

17- Canasta

Canasta is a fun-filled card game played between 2 and 6 players. The dealer shuffles two decks of cards, and each player is dealt 11 cards. The objective is for players to form melds of sets and sequences to score points. They pick cards from the stockpile and open the pile, and the game ends when a player melds all cards and goes all out. The engagement levels in this game rank it among the best card games to play in 2024.

18- Euchre

Euchre is played among four players who build two teams, and the objective is to win the most number of tricks with the highest points. The game involves a trump suit and requires strategic thinking and partner communication. The game is fast-paced and uses a special card deck with a small number of cards.

19- Cribbage

Cribbage is a two-player card game played with a standard 52-card deck. Each player is handed six cards, of which they must discard two into a “crib” pile. The player who scores 121 points by playing cards on the cribbage board wins. The other four cards are used for continuous rounds as players try to create specific combinations and earn points.

20- Baccarat

Baccarat is one of the Indian card games with three predetermined outcomes; either the player’s hand wins, the banker’s hand wins, or both hands tie. Players are dealt two cards that they use to create a hand with a value closer to 9. Face cards and 10s are worth 0 points, while other cards are worth their face value. If the score exceeds 9, the second digit of the total represents the hand value. Card games are not only great for interaction, but they can also help people to improve in various aspects of life. For example, Rummy, Call Break and Poker are great for building discipline and enhancing critical thinking for people to focus on the task. Download the Big Cash app today for the best card game experience.

FAQs

1- Can these card games be played online?

Yes, many of these card games can be played online. Games like Indian Rummy, Poker, and Andar Bahar have popular online versions that allow you to play with others via the internet. There are also apps and websites dedicated to these games.

2- What are the benefits of playing card games?

Playing card games offers numerous benefits, including enhancing strategic thinking, improving memory and cognitive skills, fostering social interaction, and providing entertainment. They are a great way to bond with family and friends and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

3- Can these card games be played for real money?

Yes, some card games like Poker, Teen Patti, and Rummy are often played for real money, especially in online platforms and casinos. However, it’s important to gamble responsibly and be aware of the legal regulations regarding gambling in your area.

4- What is the history of these card games?

Card games have a long and varied history, often originating in different parts of the world and evolving over centuries. For example, Rummy has roots in various melding and matching games from Europe and Asia, while Poker has its origins in betting and bluffing games played in America. Each game has a unique history that contributes to its modern form.

5- Where can I play Cards games? 

You can play card games on the Big Cash app, which offers a selection of over 20 different games. Additionally, you have the opportunity to earn real cash while enjoying your favorite card games.