Last Updated on March 19, 2024
Table of Contents
Finding a card game perfect for two people can be a bit of a challenge. Most card games out there seem to have been invented with multiple players in mind.
However, it’s not entirely impossible to find an exciting 2-player card game to play with your partner or friend. You only need to know where to look.
So grab your playing cards as we unveil the 11 best 2-person card games to help you spend quality time with your near and dear ones.
1. Slap Jack/Slaps/Heart Attack
Objective
To win the most cards by becoming the first player to slap a jack when the card is played.
Gameplay
i. Deal out the entire deck of cards to each player, such that each card is placed face down in a deck.
ii. Players take turns drawing cards from their stack and placing the cards face up at the center of the table.
iii. When a jack is played, the player that slaps the jack first keeps the whole pile of cards and adds the new cards to the bottom of their pile.
iv. The game comes to an end when one player collects all the cards.
2. Nerts/Nertz
Objective
To get rid of a 13-card “Nerts” pile.
Gameplay
i. The game starts with each player shuffling an entire 52-card deck.
Note: It’s recommended for the players to have a unique marking on the back facing of their cards.
ii. Next, the players deal 13 cards face-down to themselves, followed by 4 cards face-up side by side.
The stack of 13 face-down cards constitutes the “Nerts,” the 4 face-up cards constitute the work piles, while the rest of the deck is placed face-down as the stock.
When the game begins, players are allowed to sort through the stockpile three cards at a time, the same way they would in the game of Solitaire.
iii. Now, each player must turn over the top card in their pile of “Nerts,” face-up.
These top cards are removed from the “Nerts” pile and placed on top of a player’s work pile. There’s also the option of piling up the cards in the common area (the open space between the players and their cards), beginning with Aces.
Players can add more cards to their common area piles. However, they may only stack in numerical order (Ace low) and only by matching suit (Ace of Spades, followed by two of spades, then three of spades, etc.).
Another thing worth noting about this card game is that there are no turns. Instead, play is simultaneous.
iv. The first player to get rid of their Nerts pile calls out “Nerts,” after which the round comes to an end.
At the end of each round, players tally their scores.
The scores are calculated by adding a point for every card a player played to the common area pile and subtracting two points for every card remaining in their “Nerts” pile. It’s here that the unique markings to the back facing of the cards come in handy, as they help to establish whose cards are whose.
v. Lastly, players reset and deal the cards again, then the game continues until an agreed target score points are reached.
3. Speed
Objective
To be the first player to get rid of all your cards.
Gameplay
i. Each player is dealt five cards.
ii. Fifteen cards are placed face-down and adjacent to each player, so that the cards form the players’ individual draw pile.
iii. Two single cards are laid down side-by-side and face-down between the two players.
iv. A pile of five face-down cards are placed on both sides of the two single cards.
This pile constitutes an extra draw pile that players can only use if neither is able to make a play.
v. Each player flips over one of the two single cards.
vi. Players proceed to discard cards in their hand onto the single card.
This is done by playing the next lowest or highest card number. For instance, if you flip over a three, you can only play a four or a two on top of your three.
vii. After playing a card, players can draw a replacement card from their draw pile such that they have five cards in their hand.
viii. Play continues until one player runs out of cards or until the players cannot make any moves on the two-card piles.
Should players run out of moves before discarding all their cards, each player flips one card from the two draw piles. Then, the game continues until one player runs out of cards.
ix. The winner is the first player to play all the cards in their hand.
4. California Speed
Objective
To be the first player to get rid of all your cards onto matching cards.
Gameplay
i. Deal the cards equally such that each player receives 26 cards.
ii. Players simultaneously deal four cards face-up at the center of the table.
iii. The moment the last card is turned over, players begin looking for matches.
A match is any two or more cards with the same number or face card.
iv. As soon as a player finds a match, they deal new cards over to the match card (s).
If no player can make a match, the two players grab the row of four cards before them and lay the cards face-down at the bottom of their pile.
v. Next, both players deal four cards face-up in front of them, after which the match-making process continues.
vi. The game continues until one player gets rid of their cards onto the matching card.
5. Double Solitaire
Objective
To be the first player to move all your cards into the foundation pile.
Gameplay
i. Each player receives their own deck of 52 cards.
ii. Next, players shuffle their cards.
iii. Players then form seven piles in front of them, ensuring that the top card of every pile faces up.
The first pile can only have one face-up card. The second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh piles will have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 cards, respectively, with the top card in each pile facing up.
iv. Players take turns or play simultaneously, with the objective being moving all their cards into the foundation pile.
6. Spit
Objective
To be the first player to get rid of your cards.
Gameplay
i. Shuffle a 52-card deck.
ii. Deal out the cards such that each player has five stock cards, with the last card placed face-up.
The first pile should have 1 card, the second pile 2 cards, the third pile 3 cards, the fourth pile 4 cards, and the fifth pile 5 cards.
This leaves each player with 11 cards, also known as spit cards.
The spit cards must be placed face-down.
iii. When each player is ready to play, both players shout “spit.”
iv. Immediately, the player flips over the first card from their spit cards and places the card side by side in the middle of the table and between the stockpiles.
v. The other player does the same, with the objective being to get rid of all the cards from the stockpiles and add them in the spit pile.
NOTE: You can only add a stockpile card to the spit pile if the card is going up or down.
Also, it’s possible to move a face-up card from one of your stockpiles into an empty stockpile spot, provided that you only have 5 stockpiles at once.
7. Gin Rummy
Objective
To fill your hand with combinations of three or more cards in the same value (such as three kings) or in runs of the same suit (such as 3, 4, 5, and 6 of clubs).
Gameplay
i. Each player receives seven cards from a standard deck.
ii. The rest of the deck is placed at the center.
iii. The top card is flipped face-up into a new pile adjacent to the rest of the deck.
iv. The first player either takes the face-up card into their hand or one face-down card from the pile, before discarding a card from their other hand into the face-up pile.
v. The next player does the same.
vi. The game continues until one player’s hand is full of matching cards.
8. Go Fish
Objective
To be the player with the most cards matched into sets of four cards of one kind, such as four aces, four fives, etc.
Gameplay
i. Each player is dealt seven cards, one at a time.
ii. The remaining cards in the deck constitute the ‘lake’ or ‘pond.’ These cards are scattered face-down in the middle of the table, right between the two players.
iii. Players organize the seven cards in their hand depending on the number or royal (King, Queen, Jack, etc.).
iv. The first player goes ‘fishing’ (asking the other player if they have a card of a certain number or type).
The player must already have at least one card of the type they’re asking for.
v. If the second player has the requested card, they must give up all the cards of that type to the first player.
vi. The gameplay continues until the second player says “Go Fish,” which is an instruction to the first player to draw one card from the pond, after which the turn passes to the other player.
vii. The player with the most matched card sets wins the game.
9. Egyptian Rat Screw
Objective
To collect all of the cards in the deck.
Gameplay
i. Deal out an entire 52-card deck evenly, placing the cards face-down.
Players shouldn’t look at their cards.
ii. The first player draws the top card from their pile and places it face-up in the middle of the table.
If this is a number card, the second player is also expected to play a number card.
iii. The two players continue until one of them can pull a face card or an ace, after which the other player is also required to play a face card or ace.
If the second player is unable to match the first player’s card, the first player adds all the played cards to their pile.
10. Old Maid
Objective
To not get stuck with the Old Maid after all other cards have been paired off.
Gameplay
i. Remove one queen from the deck of cards.
The one queen without a pair constitutes the “Old Maid.”
ii. All the remaining cards are dealt to the two players, one after another.
Players must keep their cards hidden from each other.
iii. Players peek through their cards and remove any pair of cards, which are then placed face-down in the center of the table.
iv. The first player holds up their cards in the shape of a fan, still ensuring that the cards are hidden from their opponent.
v. The second player must draw one card from the first player’s hand.
If the drawn card can pair up with a card that the second player already has in their hand, the pair must be laid face-up on the table.
vi. Play continues until all the cards have been paired off, except for the Old Mail.
vii. The player left with the Old Maid loses the round.
11. Hearts
Objective
The classic card game is available online for both single and multiplayer options. The objective is to have the lowest amount of points at games end.
Gameplay
i. Each round, players take turns playing a card from their hand, trying to either win the trick or avoid taking certain cards that carry penalty points.
ii. Each player is dealt a hand of cards and must choose one card to play during each turn. The player with the highest card in the suit led takes the trick and leads the next round.
iii. The game also includes penalty cards, such as the Queen of Spades, which adds 13 points to the player’s score if taken in a trick.
iv. Overall, Hearts is a strategic and engaging game that requires players to think ahead and make decisions based on the cards they hold and the cards played by others.
v. Play Hearts on Hearts.land
Summary
There goes our list of exciting 2-person card games to play on your next date night. While enjoying these two-person card games, you might also want to experience the classic game of Solitaire at Solitaire Masters, which offers a digital twist on this timeless card game.
Remember that each game requires a bit of learning the ropes. So, ensure your partner or friend can already play the game before lining it up for your next social gathering.
Tags: 1v1 games 2 card 2 card poker 2 handed euchre 2 handed spades 2 man spades 2 person card drinking games 2 person card games 2 person euchre 2 person games 2 person games at home 2 person games online 2 person solitaire 2 person spades 2 player adult games 2 player blackjack 2 player card drinking games 2 player card games 2 player card games for adults 2 player card games online 2 player euchre 2 player games for couples 2 player games for kids 2 player games free 2 player games online with friends 2 player pinochle rules 2 player poker 2 player rummy 2 player solitaire 2 player spades 2 player spades rules 2 player strategy games 21 card game 21 card game online 21 card game rules 3 handed card games 3 handed spades 3 person card games 3 person games 3 player card games 4 card golf card game 4 person card games 4 player card games 5 person card games 5 player card games 6 person card games 6 player card games 6 player games 66 card game 7 card gin rummy rules 7 player card games 7 up card game a card game ace card game adult card games adult games for couples adult party card games adult playing cards all card games all cards in a deck any two cards basic card games best 2 person board games best 2 person card games best 2 person games best 2 player board games of all time best 2 player card games best 2 player games online best 3 person card games best 3 player card games best 4 player card games best adult card games best card games best card games for 2 people best card games for 3 people best card games for couples best card games for groups best card games for two best card games for two people best couple card games best deck of cards best family card games best games for 2 people best games for couples best games for two people best mobile card games best online card games best playing card games best playing cards best playing cards for poker best poker cards best two person card games best two person games best two person games for couples best two player card games best two player games online bicycle card games bicycle card games for two bicycle cards rules bid whist online bid whist online free bid whist online free game big 2 card game black people card games blackjack card game book of card games books and runs card game can you play spades with 3 people can you play spades with two people card game 7 up card game ideas card game names card game rules card game where you put cards in order card games card games for 1 card games for 1 person card games for 10 players card games for 2 card games for 2 adults card games for 2 people card games for 3 card games for 3 people card games for 4 card games for 4 people card games for 5 card games for 5 people card games for 6 people card games for adults with a deck of cards card games for couples card games for four people card games for kids card games for large groups card games for one card games for teens card games for three card games for three people card games for two card games for two people card games like exploding kittens card games like rummy card games on switch card games that start with s card games to get to know someone card games to play card games to play with 2 people card games to play with 3 people card games to play with a deck of cards card games to play with friends card games to play with two people card games with a deck of cards card games with multiple decks card games with one deck card games with playing cards card games with regular cards cardgame cardgames 10 cardgames com cards and dice drawing casino card game children's card games classic card games classic card games online classic hearts card game common card games competitive card games computer card games concentration card game online cool card games cool deck of cards cool playing cards couple cards dealing cards deck of card games deck of cards deck of cards laid out deck of cards online different card games different card games to play dirty card games double solitaire online double solitaire rules drinking card games for 2 drinking card games for 2 people drinking card games for 3 drinking card games for two drinking card games for two people drinking card games with regular cards easiest card games easy 2 person card games easy 2 player card games easy card easy card games easy card games for 2 easy card games for adults easy card games for kids easy card games for two easy card games for two people easy card games to learn easy card games to play easy drinking card games easy games to play easy poker games easy solitaire card games easy to learn card games easy two player card games ers card game face cards in a deck family card games family card games to play fast card games fast paced card games four person card games four player card games freaky card games free card games free card games to play free computer card games free online card games free two player games fun 2 person card games fun 2 person games fun 2 player card games fun 2 player games fun adult card games fun adult games to play fun card games fun card games for 2 fun card games for 2 people fun card games for 3 fun card games for 3 people fun card games for 4 fun card games for couples fun card games for two fun card games for two people fun card games to play fun card games to play with friends fun easy card games fun family card games fun games for 2 people fun games for two fun games for two people fun games to play with 2 people fun games to play with cards fun games to play with two people fun poker games fun two person card games fun two person games fun two player card games fun two player games fun two player games online funny deck of cards funny playing cards gambling card games games 2 people can play games for 2 people games for 2 people at home games for 2 people online games for 3 people games for 4 people games for couples to play online games for two games for two people games for two people online games like exploding kittens games like solitaire games to play with 2 people games to play with 3 people games to play with 4 people games to play with a deck of cards games to play with cards for 2 games to play with playing cards games to play with three people games to play with two people games two people can play games you can play with a deck of cards games you can play with cards garbage card game rules get to know you card games gifts for card players gin rummy 2 players gin rummy 3 players gin rummy 4 players gin rummy rules 2 players golf card game 9 cards good 2 person card games good 2 player card games good 2 player games good card games good card games for 3 people good card games for two people good two person card games good two player card games good two player games google card games great card games group card games hand and foot card game online hand and foot game printable hand card game hard card games hearts card game rules hearts classic card game hearts game online hearts with 3 players hearts with 5 players high low card game highest card in a deck home games for adults how big is a playing card how do you play 21 card game how do you play cards how do you play double solitaire how do you play go fish step by step how do you play kings corner how do you play old maid how do you play slap jack how do you play spades with two people how do you play the card game called hearts how do you play the card game speed how do you play the card game spit how do you play the card game war how do you play war with cards how do you win go fish how many 2 are in a deck of cards how many 5s are in a deck of cards how many cards are dealt in go fish how many cards are in a deck of cards how many cards are in a standard deck how many cards do you get in go fish how many cards do you get in rummy how many cards do you start with in go fish how many cards in go fish how many decks of cards for poker how many jacks are in a deck of 52 cards how many jacks are in a deck of cards how many of each card in a deck how many playing cards in a deck how many twos are in a deck of cards how to make a card game how to play 13 card game how to play 21 card game how to play 21 cards how to play 31 card game how to play blackjack with friends how to play card games how to play cards how to play cards for beginners how to play cards with 2 players how to play casino card game how to play double solitaire how to play egyptian rat screw how to play garbage card game how to play gin rummy with 2 players how to play go fish for kids how to play hearts card game how to play hearts with 2 players how to play kings how to play kings corner how to play kings corner card game how to play old maid how to play old maid card game how to play pinochle 2 player how to play playing cards how to play poker cards how to play poker for kids how to play screw your neighbor card game how to play solitaire in your hand how to play spades 2 player how to play spades with 2 people how to play spades with two people how to play speed card game how to play spit how to play spit card game how to play trash how to play trash card game how to play war card game how to play war with cards how to set up speed card game how to win go fish i declare war card game in 2 in between card game intimacy card games is ace a face card kids playing cards kings corner card game kings corner card game rules kings corner rules kings corner set up kings corner solitaire kings in the corner online list of card games list of card games with standard deck list of solitaire games matching games for adults may i card game most fun card games most popular card games multiplayer card games multiplayer solitaire new card games nice deck of cards og card game old card games old maid card game rules old maid rules old school card games one handed solitaire one has to go game one person card games one person games one player card games online card games with friends online games for two party card games pass the trash card game people playing cards pitch card game online play 2 play 2 player games play 21 card game play 9 card game play a game of hearts play card games online play card games online free play card games online with friends play pinochle free play pinochle now play whist online playing card board game playing card games for adults playing card games for kids playing card values playing cards 2 playing cards drawing playing the player poker card combinations poker card sets poker cards names poker cards order poker playing cards poker scoring chart popular adult games popular card games popular card games 2020 printable deck of cards queens card game quick card games relationship card games rummy blackjack rummy card game online rummy card games free online rummy rules 2 players russian card game russian rummy screw your neighbor card game rules set card game online sets and runs card game simple card games single card games single person card games single player card games slap card game slap jack card game slap jack card game rules slap jack online slap jack rules slapjack card game solitaire playing cards solitaire spades spades with 2 people speed card game speed card game online speed card game rules speed card game setup spit card game rules standard 52 card deck standard deck of cards standard solitaire strategy card games strip card games switch card game take a hit card game team card games tens card game the and cards the game card game these cards saved my relationship things card game three handed card game three person card games three player card games top 10 card games top card games trash card game rules two deck card games two deck solitaire two handed card games two handed euchre two handed pinochle two handed spades two person card games two person drinking card games two person games two person games online two person games to play two player car games two player card drinking games two player card games two player card games online two player computer games two player games for kids two player solitaire two player spades types of card games types of cards in a deck types of playing cards virtual deck of cards war card game online war card game rules 3 players what are some card games what card game what cards are in a deck what games can you play with cards what is a fun card game for 2 players what is rummy in blackjack whats a player whats the game whist game online world of card games Posted by:Igor Ovsyannnykov
Igor is an SEO specialist, designer, photographer, writer and music producer. He believes that knowledge can change the world and be used to inspire and empower young people to build the life of their dreams. When he is not writing in his favorite coffee shop, Igor spends most of his time reading books, taking photos, producing house music, and learning about cinematography. He is a sucker for good coffee, Indian food, and video games.
ncG1vNJzZmihnqi9qr7AraCoppaasqV6wqikaGpdpbmixcSrZJyZopl6qK3Mnqpo
Share!