Popular Card Games

• 🌮   Best Overall: Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza
• 🎴   Best Classic: Uno Flip
• ❤️   Best Strategy: Hearts
• 1️⃣   Best Icebreaker: Skyjo
• 🌳   Best Solo: Orchard
• 🧝   Best Competitive: Saboteur
• 🔺   Best Creative: Anomia
• 👉   How we picked and tested

Card games are one of the oldest pastimes — and they’re still as popular today! Whether you’re trying to pass the time with friends or just looking for family fun at home, we highly recommend Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza. It’s fast-paced, easy to learn, and great for all ages!

If you’re in the market for something else, we’ve collected some of the most popular card games for you! From traditional classics to modern favorites, these will keep you entertained for hours. If you want to know more about how we curated this list, read the process behind our selections here.

1. Best Overall: Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza

Available on

• Player count: 3-8 players
• Duration: 10 to 15 minutes
• Ages: 8+

This hand-slapping game gets the crown in our list for its fast-paced, unpredictable fun. All about quick thinking and fast hands, this game will surely test your reflexes!

Why we love it

The best thing about Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza is how silly yet simple it is. It’s an easy-to-learn shedding-style game, jumping into the action is easy. You don’t need any special knowledge or skills - just a good attitude and lots of laughs!

This game is a great way to sharpen your memory and focus because you need to memorize the sequence Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza to win! You must also pay close attention to the cards being played, avoiding being the last person to slap the stack!

What’s more, this game is high in social interaction as you try to be faster than anyone else — and because someone is going to mess up, there’s always a good dose of laughter involved. The text in the cards also makes the game color-blind-friendly, ensuring everyone has a chance to play!

Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza also has endless replayable value, so even if you’ve mastered the game, it always gets exciting. The game ends quickly, so it’s perfect when you only have a little time.

The only thing we don’t love? While the game advertises itself as playable with a minimum of two players, it’s best with at least three. With two players, the game feels a bit back-and-forth and less exciting.

Overall, Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza is a fun, fast-paced card game everyone can enjoy. We highly recommend it for family fun nights and parties if you want to get everyone involved and laughing!

How to play

Getting started with Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza is simple! The game includes cards featuring the five characters: taco, cat, goat, cheese, and pizza. Your objective is to be the first to empty your hand and slap a special card!

First, deal out all the cards in a circle with each player holding the cards facing down. Players then take turns saying “Taco, Cat, Goat…” while they turn over cards one at a time in the middle of the circle.

When, for example, a player says Cheese and flips over a card with the Cheese character, all players must quickly slap the stack of cards in the middle. The last one to do so has to take all the cards in the stack!

Should any of the special cards — Groundhog, Gorilla, or Narwal - be drawn by a player, all participants must take part in a unique action before attempting to slap their hand on top of the pile. You’ll still have to take the whole stack if you flinch or jerk your arm, even when the card doesn’t feature one of the special characters or match your chant.

If you empty your hand, you’re still in the game but won’t have to flip over cards anymore. Be the first one to slap the stack when a special card appears to win!

2. Best Classic: Uno Flip

Available on

• Player count: 2-10 players
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Ages: 7+

With an added twist to the classic Uno game, Uno Flip remains a top-rated card game among the masses. It’s an excellent option for those looking for an exciting twist on Uno!

Why we love it

Our favorite thing about Uno Flip is the fun gameplay. The original game is already great, but this version adds a new and exciting element with the double-sided cards. This means that when you flip a card, it can change from one color to another - making for some exciting and unexpected moments!

Plus, the double-sided card adds a layer of strategy to Uno - as you need to think ahead and predict which color will be revealed when you flip the card. This game is perfect for those who like to think strategically and want to have fun.

Uno Flip also facilitates player interaction because you can help or hinder your opponents by playing cards that will disrupt their strategy. We love that it encourages socializing and teamwork, even among competitors — which makes it great for family game nights!

Our only complaint with this game is that there is no proper tin storage container, only a cardboard box, so buying a separate container is best if you plan on playing regularly. Regardless, Uno Flip is a great game for all ages and can provide hours of fun!

How to play

Uno Flip is similar to the classic Uno, but there are a few key differences. Your objective in the game is the same - be the first to empty your hand by discarding all of your cards. First, deal each player seven cards, then put the remaining cards in a stack with the Light side facedown on the table.

The top card is flipped over and placed in the center of the table, and play begins with the person to the dealer’s left. On their turn, each player must match a number or color with the card in the center. If a player can’t make a match, they must draw one card from the stack, and their turn ends.

When somebody plays a flip card, you must flip over the Discard Pile (with the card just played now at the bottom), the Draw Pile, and everyone’s hands to the dark side. The new side will stay in play until another Flip Card is played, changing it back again. To play the Flip Card, it must match the color of the card in the center or be played on another Flip Card.

The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the game!

3. Best Strategy: Hearts

Available on

• Player count: 2-6 players
• Duration: 50 minutes average playing time
• Ages: 10+

For those looking for a more strategic card game, Hearts is a perfect choice. A classic trick-taking game that has been around since the late 1800s, this golf-style card game has been captivating players for generations.

Why we love it

What makes Hearts so enjoyable is the simplicity yet challenge it provides. It’s an excellent game for those who like to pick up the rules easily but feel that getting good at it is still challenging. It’s those strategic elements that make it such a classic.

In addition, this game facilitates social interaction, awareness, and strategic thinking since you need to know who is the lead and which cards to avoid. We also appreciate that it doesn’t require too much table space and can be played with a simple deck of cards.

The most significant downside to Hearts is that it can take some time to learn how to play. It may be more complex than some of the other card games on this list, but we still think this game is worth the effort you put into mastering it!

How to play

The main goal of Hearts is to have the lowest score at the end of the game. To start, deal out all the cards, so each player has 13. Remove a card depending on how many players are playing (i.e., if there are two players, remove the two of clubs).

If it wasn’t removed, the player holding the two of clubs starts the game by playing that card. Then, play moves clockwise, and each player must follow suit if they have a card of the same suit. If not, any card can be played.

The trick is won by whoever played the highest card, and that player leads the next round. The goal of each round is to avoid taking points, as you get one point for each heart and thirteen for the Queen of Spades.

The game ends when someone reaches or goes over 100 points. The player with the lowest score wins!

4. Best Icebreaker: Skyjo

Available on

• Player count: 2 players
• Duration: 10 minutes
• Ages: 6+

Another golf-style card game, Skyjo is an exciting game that will surely break the ice among a group of strangers! With its simple premise and gorgeous artwork, this game is perfect for those not too deep into the card game world.

Why we love it

The beauty of Skyjo lies in its ease of play. The game is simple enough to teach to a group of strangers yet still provides enough strategy for experienced card game players. Bring it to a party and watch it become an instant hit!

The game also has an elegant mix of luck and strategy, making it ideal for those who want to take advantage of it quickly. With a few rounds under your belt, you’ll have a feel for the game and be able to strategize your moves.

Moreover, Skyjo is a fantastic way to practice counting and decision-making. And because of its simple rules, this game is perfect for kids and adults alike.

However, we have to note that the card box easily wears out, so you may want to purchase a carrying case for your cards. But that little hiccup aside, Skyjo is still a must-have for any card game night. It’s fast-paced, exciting, and full of surprises!

How to play

In Skyjo, your goal is to reach the lowest score by the end of the game. Each player receives twelve cards, face down, which need to be laid out in three rows of four. Begin by having everyone flip over two cards.

To start the game, whoever has the lower combined value of their two cards is the first player. The numerical values available on each card range from -2 to 12 and include 0. Each card only contains numbers — no symbols!

On your turn, you have two options. You can take a card from the draw pile, or get the top card from the discard pile. Then, you will choose one card from your hand and discard it face up in the center. Play continues clockwise until all cards have been flipped, then the counting begins.

Once all players have tallied their scores, the individual that flipped over cards first must have the lowest total; if not, or in case of a tie, they will need to double their score. If a player reaches a score of 100, the game ends, and whoever has the lowest score wins!

5. Best Solo: Orchard

Available on

• Player count: 1 player
• Duration: 5 to 10 minutes
• Ages: 8+

Harvesting fruit has never been this fun in the next game on our list, Orchard! For those looking to hone their skills in a fun and solo way, this game is a must-have.

Why we love it

There’s just something about this game’s accessibility and strategy that makes it an excellent choice for those who are looking to play solo. With its unique twist on the classic Solitaire game, Orchard offers a solid challenge to those who enjoy puzzle-type card games.

And the game’s excellent portability makes it ideal for anyone who loves traveling. It doesn’t take up much space — all you need is the deck of cards, and you’re ready to go!

We also just love how Orchard has excellent replayability because you’ll be addicted to scoring higher and higher each time you play. It’s a great way to sharpen your skills as well as test your luck!

A significant drawback, however, is that while this game’s artwork looks kid-friendly, we don’t recommend it for kids as the challenge is too difficult. Apart from that, Orchard is an exceptional solo game that will entertain you for hours!

How to play

Playing this game could not be easier! All you have to do is divide the 18 cards into 9 stacks, shuffle up the dice, and set them off to one side. Once that’s done, select a single stack of cards and keep the others in reserve for later.

Let’s get the game started! Place the top card of your chosen deck on the table, and then draw two cards from that deck. On every turn, select one of those held cards to put down on the table so that it overlaps an already existing card. You’re all set for a thrilling round now!

As you play the card, add a die of the appropriate color on every tree it overlaps with. The number placement is determined by its overlapping frequency; if this is your first time placing a die, set it as “1”.

If you stack the same tree a second time, its die will move to 3 — then 6 if it is stacked once more. It can overlap again afterward, but you can’t go higher than 6.

Once you are finished placing all your dice/cubes onto the game board, draw a card so that your hand count goes back to two. Keep playing until you have used up one of the nine cards. Calculating your score is straightforward; add together all the numbers on each displayed die!

Take the dice and set them aside, finishing with the first pack of cards. Then take out your second deck of nine and start playing anew!

6. Best Competitive: Saboteur

Available on

• Player count: 3-10 players
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Ages: 8+

Take your game nights up a notch with Saboteur, a card game to test your resourcefulness and cunning! Compete in teams and get ready to race towards the hidden treasure while avoiding any pitfalls that may come your way.

Why we love it

What we love about Saboteur is that it offers great flexibility regarding the rules. Because some path combinations may not work all the time, the creators of this game encourage players to be creative with the paths to reach the treasure.

The game is also incredibly accessible. The rules are simple to understand, and even young children can enjoy it. It’s also an excellent way to teach problem-solving skills, and it helps to foster teamwork.

Not to mention, Saboteur has endless replayability because of how quickly each game can be played. It’s great for those who want to play a game in a short amount of time — plus, the cute artwork and humorous characters will keep you entertained for hours!

The only downside is that Saboteur requires some table space for the paths, which might not be available at all times. But it’s still an excellent game for groups or families to enjoy together! So if you’re looking for a great competitive card game, try Saboteur — it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.

How to play

To start the game, split your cards into four decks: path, action, nugget, and dwarf. The path deck will contain a single beginning ladder card as well as three gold cards.

Place the start card at one end of your playing area and shuffle the gold cards. Put them face down in a single row, about seven spaces away from the starting point. Amongst these, you’ll find a gold card that will determine miners’ success as they dig for success.

Setting up: Players are randomly assigned a secret dwarf or saboteur card. All the dwarf cards should be shuffled together and distributed among players by the number of participants.

After the dwarf cards have been passed to each player, mix all action and path cards together into one deck. Then, distribute them evenly among everyone playing the game. Finally, shuffle the nugget cards and stack them face down next to the rest of the action cards.

On your turn: On your turn, you have the option of laying down a path card to guide the miners towards their goal, playing an action card that could either help or hinder other players in the game, or discarding one and drawing another.

As a gold digger, your mission is clear: create an uninterrupted path towards the hidden treasure on one of three golden cards. If you can do this successfully, you win the round! Remember that miners can only ever move forward along their chosen route – make sure it leads them straight to success!

By playing an action card, you can thwart a fellow player’s attempt at placing a path card, assist them in removing obstacles, take away another player’s already placed path cards from the table, or even secretly peek into one of the face-down gold cards.

End of the game: When the treasure is located and a continuous road from start to finish card has been formed, the game ends and the gold diggers win!

If there are no more path cards to draw at any point in the game, and the treasure has yet to be uncovered – then congratulations! The saboteurs have won, and the gold diggers have lost.

Divide the gold nuggets fairly among all of the winners, then start with a new round. When three rounds have concluded, whoever has amassed the most golden nuggets is crowned as the winner!

7. Best Creative: Anomia

Available on

• Player count: 3-6 players
• Duration: 20 minutes
• Ages: 10+

Think you know basic trivia? Think again! Anomia is a card game that puts your knowledge to the test in a way that will get your heart racing!

Why we love it

What we appreciate most about Anomia is its fast-paced nature. It’s a game of quick thinking and fast responses, so if you don’t have the time to commit to an in-depth game but still want to challenge your brain, Anomia is the perfect fit!

The game has immense levels of accessibility with its simple rules, so even if you don’t consider yourself a “gamer,” you can still join in the fun! The rounds also finish quickly, so you get a great game experience without wasting too much time.

Plus, Anomia facilitates player interaction as it encourages everyone to think on their toes and come up with unexpected answers. The hilarity that ensues as you race to come up with a correct answer also makes it a great game to play with family and friends, regardless of age!

However, while the cards have a great variety to make a couple of gameplays interesting enough, this game has limited replayability. Once you’ve played the game a few times and memorized all of the cards, it can get dull.

Overall, Anomia is a great card game for family or friends. Its simplicity and quickness make it perfect for any occasion, and its fun and light-hearted tone will make sure you have a great time!

How to play

Playing Anomia is simple! All you need is the deck of cards and divide them into two separate piles. Sit in a circle with your friends and family, then take turns flipping over two cards each.

On the card are symbols representing different categories – when a player flips two cards with matching symbols, they must quickly call out a word that falls within the same category as their opponent’s card.

If you can do it before your opponent, then you take their card and add it to your pile. The player with the most cards at the end of the game wins!

How we picked and tested

PsyCat Games is built by people who know how to have fun! We’ve been researching parties and games since 2018 and have published 400+ articles on our website. That’s why we’re confident that we know what we’re talking about!

We want you to have the best time possible and not waste your money on a subpar product. That’s why we spend over three months testing over 20 different games with groups of kids, teens, and adults. We’ve ranked the games by the fun factor, player experience, and replayability!

Our ranking is subjective, but we’ve tried our best to be as impartial as possible. However, if you stumble upon a popular card game that you think deserves a spot on our list, please reach out to us! We would love to hear from you.

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