Card Games for Four People
There are hundreds of card games you can play with a standard 52-card deck which shows just how creative we can get. Some of the favourite card games in India include Poker, Teen Patti, Solitaire, Mendicot, Online Rummy, and Andar Bahar. These games can be played by many people, from playing alone in Solitaire to over 10 players in some games. However, card games that 4 people can play have a unique appeal.
Card games come in various forms, each with unique rules and styles. Here are some popular types:
Trick-Taking Games
Players aim to win specific hands or ‘tricks.’ The one with the most tricks wins. Examples:
Bridge: A complex game for four players in two teams.
Spades: Players bid on the number of tricks they will take.
Hearts: Players try to avoid certain penalty cards.
Matching Games
The goal is to match cards based on criteria. Examples:
Rummy: Players create sets or runs of cards.
Mahjong: A skill and strategy game for four players.
Go Fish: Players ask for specific cards to form pairs.
Shedding Games
Players try to discard all their cards first. Examples:
Uno: Match cards by colour or number.
Crazy Eights: Similar to Uno, match to discard all cards.
Solitaire Games
Single-player games to arrange cards in order. Examples:
Klondike: Build foundation piles by suit.
Spider: Remove all cards by ordering them.
FreeCell: Arrange all face-up cards into piles.
Collectible Card Games
Players collect cards representing characters or spells to build decks. Examples:
Magic: The Gathering: Use decks of spells, creatures, and artefacts.
Pokémon Trading Card Game: Build decks around Pokémon to battle.
Casino Games
Played in casinos, often involving betting. Examples:
Poker: Bet on how strong your hand is.
Blackjack: Aim for a hand value close to 21 without going over.
Baccarat: Bet on the ‘player’ or ‘banker’ hand, or a tie.
Drinking Card Games
Played in social settings, often with alcohol. Examples:
Kings: Draw cards and follow the rules for each card.
Ride the Bus: Multiple rounds with drinking rules.
List Of Card Games for Four People
Card games are a great way to hang out with friends and family. They mix strategy, skills, luck (in some games) and social interaction, making them really fun. Here are some top card games for four people that you can enjoy:
Poker
Poker is a classic card game that’s enjoyed by people all around the world. You’ll find it being played in homes, casinos, and on online platforms. It’s a game that one can learn easily but takes a lifetime to master.
At its core, poker involves players betting on the strength of their hand. The key is to either have the best hand at the showdown or to bluff your opponents into thinking you do, causing them to fold.
Texas Hold’em is one of the most popular variants of poker where each player is dealt two private cards, and then five community cards are dealt face-up on the table. Players use a combination of their own cards along with the community cards to make the best possible hand they can in order to win.
Another variant, Omaha, is similar to Texas Hold’em but with a few key differences. In Omaha, each player gets four private cards instead of two, and they are supposed to use exactly two of their private cards & three of the community cards in order to form their hand.
Regardless of the variant you choose, poker is a game that combines elements of skill, psychology, and decision-making.
Rummy
Rummy is a well-loved card game for two to four players. It’s played with a standard 52-card deck. The goal is to become the first player to get rid of all the cards by forming sets and runs. A set in rummy is three or four cards that have the same rank. A run is three or more consecutive cards that have the same suit.
In Rummy, players draw cards from a central pile or a discard pile and then discard a card from their hand. The game comes to an end when one player is left with no cards. The player having the lowest score at the end becomes the winner.
Rummy scoring is based on the cards left in a player’s hand when the game ends. Aces are worth one point, face cards are worth ten points, and other cards are worth their face value. The game can be played for a set number of rounds or until one player reaches a certain score.
Rummy is a fast and fun game that requires strategic thinking and quick decisions. It’s great for four players looking for an exciting card game.
304 Card Game
304, also known as three-nought-four, is a popular card game in the Indian subcontinent, notably in Sri Lanka, coastal Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. It’s played by two teams of two players each, using a subset of standard playing cards, encompassing the 7 through Ace of all suits, making a total of 32 cards in play.
Considered the forerunner of the game twenty-eight, 304 has had a significant impact on its evolution.
In this card game, the values of the cards are crucial for determining points during gameplay. Each card carries a specific point value, which plays a pivotal role in scoring. Here’s how card values work in the 304 card game:
- Jack (J): 30 points
- Nine (9): 20 points
- Ace (A): 11 points
- Ten (10): 10 points
- King (K): 3 points
- Queen (Q): 2 points
- Eight (8): 0 points
- Seven (7): 0 points
The total points in the deck sum up to 304, hence the game’s name.
Bridge
When we talk about card games for four people, how can we forget Bridge? It’s a game of strategy and skill played with a standard 52-card deck. The aim is to score points by winning tricks, which are sets of four cards played in each round. The player or team with the most points wins.
Bridge is played by two teams of two, with partners sitting opposite each other. The game starts with a bidding phase where players bet on how many tricks they can win. The highest bidder becomes the declarer and chooses the trump suit, the top-ranking suit for that round.
After bidding, the play phase begins with the declarer leading the first card. Players must follow suit if they can. The highest trump suit card wins the trick. Points are scored based on the number of tricks won, with extra points for making a contract, which is the number of tricks the declarer bid.
Bridge is a challenging and enjoyable card game for four players. It requires strategy and teamwork, making it popular with serious card players.
Hearts
Hearts is a traditional trick-taking game for four players. The game is played in rounds, with players taking turns playing cards from their hands. It’s played with a standard 52-card deck. The goal here is to end with the lowest possible score.
At the start, players pass three cards to an opponent. Each round’s goal is to avoid winning hearts or the queen of spades, which are worth penalty points. Hearts count for one point each, and the queen of spades is worth thirteen points.
Players must follow suit if they can, and the highest card in the leading suit wins the trick. Hearts can’t be led until a heart has been played in a previous trick. The queen of spades can only be played if a player has no cards of the leading suit.
The game continues until a player reaches a certain score, and the one with the lowest score wins.
Hearts is a game of strategy and skill where players must manage their hands carefully to avoid penalty cards. It’s perfect for four people who enjoy challenging and competitive games.
Gin Rummy
Gin Rummy is a card game for two players, or it can involve four players split into two teams. When you play in teams of 2 it becomes one of those card games for four people where you play with a standard 52-card deck, aiming to reach 100 points before your opponent.
At the game’s start, each player gets 10 cards. The rest of the deck has to be placed face down. The top card from the deck starts the discard pile, facing up.
Players take turns drawing cards from the deck or discard pile and then discarding one from their hand. The goal is to create sets and runs of cards, and when your hand is all in sets and runs, you “knock.” If your opponent hasn’t finished organizing their cards, they try to score as many points as possible.
Scoring in Gin Rummy is based on the points in your hand at the end. Aces are worth one point, face cards ten, and the rest their face value. You earn bonus points for sets, runs, and knocking when you’re ahead in points.
Gin Rummy is a blend of skill and luck. Players need to manage their hands wisely and create the best sets and runs. It’s a great game for four people seeking a fun and strategic card game.
Euchre
Euchre is a card game where four players, split into two teams of two, aim to win tricks. It’s played with a deck of 24 cards, featuring 9, 10, J, Q, K, and A of each suit. The objective? Be the first team to score 10 points.
At the game’s outset, players draw cards to determine the dealer. Each player receives five cards, and the remaining four are placed face down on the table. The top card from this pile is flipped to reveal the trump suit.
The highest bidder becomes the declarer by betting on the number of tricks they can win. The declarer’s team must match their bid, while the opposing team tries to thwart them.
In Euchre, players must try to follow suit whenever possible. The trick is won by the highest card in the trump suit, or if no trump suit is played, by the highest card in the lead suit. Points are awarded based on the number of tricks won, with extra points for winning all five.
Euchre offers a blend of challenge and fun, requiring both strategy and teamwork. It’s perfect for four players seeking a lively and engaging card game.
Spades
Spades is a popular four-player trick-taking game. The goal is to be the first team to reach a certain score, using a standard 52-card deck. Players must work with their partners to win tricks and earn points.
Players start by bidding on the number of tricks they think they can win. The highest bidder becomes the declarer and picks the trump suit for that round. The opposing team tries to stop the declarer from making their bid.
The game goes on until all thirteen tricks are played. The score is then calculated based on the tricks won by each team. Players must follow suit if possible, and the highest card in the leading suit wins the trick. However, a player can play a spade, which trumps other suits.
Spades is a game of strategy and teamwork where players must manage their hands and work together to win tricks. It’s an excellent game for four players who enjoy a good challenge.