Card Games are always a fun way to celebrate Diwali. The tension that these games create along with the fun ultimately creates an atmosphere of thrill and enjoyment. However, a lot of us do not play cards on regular and can’t really be prepared to play the traditional complex card games. That’s why this article lists some of the easiest card games that you can play with your friends and family on this Diwali.
Easy & Interesting Card Games for Diwali 2023
1- Bluff
Bluff, also known as Cheat or I Doubt It, is a fun card game that involves deception and skill. Here’s how to play:
Number of Players: 3 or more
Objective: The goal is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards.
Rules:
- Use a standard deck of cards with Jokers removed. The game is typically played with a minimum of 4 players.
- Deal the entire deck of cards evenly among the players.
- The player to the dealer’s left goes first and plays one or more cards of the same rank (eg, two 7s, three 10s). They must announce the cards they are playing and may lie about the rank if they wish.
- The next player must either play cards of the next rank in ascending order (eg, if the previous player played 7s, the next player should play 8s) or challenge the previous player’s move by saying “Bluff” or “I Doubt It.”
- If challenged, the previous player reveals their cards. If they were telling the truth, the challenger must pick up the entire discard pile. If they were lying, the player who made the false play must pick up the pile.
- Continue play in a clockwise direction, with players trying to get rid of their cards by either playing the next rank or bluffing.
- If you don’t have the cards you claim to play, you can still bluff, and it’s up to the other players to decide whether to challenge.
- The first player to successfully get rid of all their cards wins the game.
Bluff is a game of skill and deception, making it a lot of fun to play with friends and family. Remember that bluffing is a big part of the game, so be creative and convincing when making your plays!
2- Crazy Eights
Crazy Eights is a popular card game that is easy to learn and fun to play. Here are the rules:
Number of Players: 2 or more
Objective: The goal is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards.
Rules:
- Use a standard 52-card deck. Aces are low, and the ranking of cards from high to low is: KQJ-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2.
- Each player is dealt 5 cards. The remaining cards form the draw pile, and one card is placed face up to start the discard pile.
- Players take turns in a clockwise direction.
- To play a card, it must match either the rank or the suit of the top card on the discard pile. For example, if the top card is a 7 of clubs, you can play any 7 or any club.
- If a player cannot play a card, they must draw a card from the draw pile. If the drawn card can be played, they may play it immediately.
- Eights are special cards. An 8 can be played at any time and allows the player to declare a new suit. For example, if an 8 is played, the player can specify the suit (eg, “hearts”) for the next player to follow.
- The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the game.
Crazy Eights is a straightforward and enjoyable card game that is great for players of all ages. It’s a game of strategy and a bit of luck, as you try to match cards and avoid being stuck with unplayable cards.
3- Snap
Snap is a fast-paced and exciting card game that is easy to learn and perfect for a large group of players, especially kids. Here’s how to play:
Number of Players: 2 or more
Objective: The goal is to be the first player to “snap” and collect all the cards.
Rules:
- Use a standard 52-card deck.
- Shuffle the deck and deal the entire deck evenly among the players. Players do not look at their cards and keep them face down in a stack.
- The player to the dealer’s left starts the game and places their top card face up in the center.
- Players take turns, moving clockwise, placing one card at a time face up in the center.
- When two consecutive cards of the same rank are placed (eg, two 7s in a row), the first player to shout “Snap!” and place their hand on the pile of cards wins the pile.
- The player who wins the pile adds it to the bottom of their stack.
- If a player mistakenly calls “Snap” when the cards don’t match, they must give one card from their stack to the player whose card they wrongly “snapped.”
- The game continues with players placing cards and snapping when they spot a matching pair.
- The player who collects all the cards or has the most cards when it’s time to end the game (as determined before starting) is the winner.
Snap is a game of observation, quick thinking, and fast reactions. It’s a great game for gatherings and parties, especially with a larger group of players.
4- Old Maid
Old Maid is a classic card game that’s easy to play and suitable for kids. The game is played with a standard deck of cards, but with one card removed, typically the Queen of Spades, which becomes the “Old Maid.” Here’s how to play:
Number of Players: 2 or more
Objective: The goal is to avoid being the player left with the “Old Maid” card.
Rules:
- Remove one Queen from the deck (usually the Queen of Spades) and shuffle the remaining cards. Deal all the cards to the players. Some players may have one more card than others; this is fine.
- Players look at their cards and try to make as many pairs as possible (eg, two 6s, two 9s). Pairs are set aside.
- Players take turns offering their hand face-down to the player on their left. The player to the left picks one card from the offering player’s hand without looking and adds it to their own hand.
- If the player forms a pair with the newly acquired card, they place the pair face-up in front of them.
- Play continues clockwise, with players offering cards and taking cards from each other.
- The game continues until all pairs have been made. Players must be discreet when offering cards to avoid giving away the location of the “Old Maid.”
- The player left with the “Old Maid” card (the Queen of Spades) at the end of the game loses.
Old Maid is a simple and entertaining game that involves a mix of strategy and luck. It’s a great game for children and families.
5- Go Fish
Go Fish is a classic card game that’s simple and fun to play, especially with kids. Here’s how to play:
Number of Players: 2 or more (best with 3 to 6 players)
Objective: The goal is to collect as many sets of four cards of the same rank as possible.
Rules:
- Use a standard 52-card deck for 3-6 players. For 2 players, you can use a smaller deck with just 7s and higher cards.
- Deal 5 cards to each player if there are 4 or more players; if there are only 3 players, deal 7 cards to each player.
- The player to the dealer’s left goes first and asks another player for a specific rank of card. For example, “Do you have any 6s?”
- The player being asked must give all the cards of that rank to the asking player. If the asking player receives one or more cards, they get another turn. If not, it’s the next player’s turn.
- If a player collects four cards of the same rank, they place the set face down in front of them.
- If a player is asked for a card they do not have, they say “Go Fish.” The asking player then draws a card from the deck. If the drawn card is the one they asked for, they get another turn. If not, play passes to the next player.
- The game continues until all sets of four have been collected or until all cards have been drawn from the deck.
- The player with the most sets of four cards at the end of the game wins.
Go Fish is a great card game for children and families, as it helps with number recognition and memory skills. It’s easy to learn and provides lots of entertainment.
