Card games have a long and storied history. The earliest decks are thought to have developed in 9th century China, during the days of the Tang dynasty. These were made of a thin, primitive type of paper, which closely resembled the currency of the time.
Some historians have suggested that the earliest cards may actually have been paper money, with the currency acting as both a tool for gaming and the stakes. This theory ties in nicely when one considers the long association between card games and gambling.
This type of gaming has remained popular to the modern day. Since the development of these early decks over a millennia ago, card games have spread around the world, so that they’re now enjoyed by people from every corner of the globe.
Some are simpler to master than others, and it’s these games that rank among the most widely played. For those new to card games, they’re a great place to start, which is why we wrote this article. So, without further ado, here are three of the most straightforward options to be getting on with.
Dragon Tiger
Difficulty level: 0.5/5
Asiabet.org describes dragon tiger as “incredibly simple”. Certainly, the game is easy to get to grips with, with the various rules being straightforward and succinct. Players have two main betting options to choose from: the dragon and the tiger.
The aim of the game couldn’t be easier – the player has to decide which of the two will be dealt a higher card. This means there’s always a 50/50 chance of guessing correctly and that the game is one of pure luck.
There’s a secondary betting option too: you can bet “small” or “big” for either the dragon or the tiger. If you bet small, you’ll need a card between ace and seven to win, whereas if you bet big, you’ll have to hope the card that’s dealt is eight or higher.
Old maid
Difficulty level: 1/5
Old maid is another that’s easy to get to grips with. The way it works is simple. To start, one of the queens must be removed from the deck. The remaining cards are then dealt between the players.
It’s important that players keep their cards hidden (you’ll see why in a bit). They should sort through the hand they’ve been dealt, trying to create matching cards i.e. those with the same number or picture. When they have a pair, these must be placed face up on the table.
The player to the left of the dealer begins, offering their cards to the player next to them. They should make sure no other player can see their hand. If this card makes a pair, the person who’s selected it can put it down.
Eventually, one card will be left – the queen whose pair is missing. The winner is the first person to get all of their cards down, while the player left holding this solo card loses the game and becomes the Old Maid. Their punishment typically involves some sort of forfeit.
Rummy
Difficulty level: 2/5
Rummy isn’t the simplest of card games, but it’s not difficult either! It’s a nice game for when you want to engage your brain – but not too much! You need one pack of cards and two or more players to give it a go.
The game is played in rounds, with varying combinations of cards needed before one can go down. The aim of the game is to collect sets of at least three, either of the same card or consecutive cards in the same suit.
At the beginning of each round, the player is dealt 10 cards. When it comes to their turn, they pick a card from the top of the pile in the centre. They can keep this or discard it. If they have any combinations ready to go down, they must place them on the table after picking up a card and before disposing of one.
The winner is the first person to get all of their cards down. At the end of each round, the other players must add up the value of their remaining cards and record these. The eventual victor is the person who has the lowest score once the final round has been played.
Why not take a look through our oxygengames.net archives to find our most popular articles and to learn more about the many fun games that are out there?
