20 Multiplayer Card Games To Play With Friends

Poker is an iconic and enduring multiplayer card game that has captured the hearts and minds of players worldwide. 

Rooted in history and thriving in contemporary casinos, home games, and online platforms, poker is synonymous with strategy, skill, and the thrill of competition. 

From the widely played Texas Hold'em and Omaha to the classic Seven-Card Stud and lesser-known variations like Pineapple or Badugi, the diversity ensures that players can find a poker variant that suits their preferences and skill level.

At the heart of Bridge is the concept of partnership, where two pairs of players form alliances and compete against each other. The game requires seamless communication and cooperation between partners.

The unique feature that sets Bridge apart is the auction bidding system. Players bid to determine the trump suit and the number of tricks their partnership commits to taking.

This initial phase introduces a strategic element where players must convey information about their hand strength and preferences to their partner.

The primary objective of Spades is to accurately predict the number of tricks that a partnership will take. Before each round, players bid the number of tricks they believe their team can win. 

Unlike some other trick-taking games, Spades does not have a "no trump" option. Every hand includes a designated trump suit, making each round dynamic and requiring players to adjust their strategies accordingly.

Spades can be a cutthroat game, especially when it comes to the trump suit. Players strategically play high-value spades to capture tricks and thwart opponents' bids.

Hearts is played with a standard 52-card deck. The objective is to avoid collecting cards with hearts and the Queen of Spades, each carrying penalty points.

The game consists of multiple rounds, and the player with the fewest points at the end emerges victorious.

Before each round begins, players must pass a specific number of cards to their opponents.

The direction of passing alternates between rounds. This adds an intriguing layer of strategy, as players must decide which cards to pass to hinder their opponents while strengthening their hands.

Euchre is typically played with a subset of a standard 52-card deck, using only the cards from 9 to Ace in each suit. 

The game revolves around forming partnerships and determining the trump suit. The player who bids the highest selects the trump suit and their partner becomes their ally for that round. 

Bidding in Euchre involves players stating the number of tricks their team aims to win. The highest bidder chooses the trump suit and their partner must support their bid. 

The goal of Rummy is to be the first player to discard all of their cards by forming sets or runs of three or more cards of the same rank.

Players take turns drawing and discarding cards, trying to create melds on the table while keeping their hands concealed.

A two-player game where players aim to have the lowest deadwood (unmelded cards) in their hand at the end of the game.

The basic rules of Rummy are simple enough for anyone to pick up, but the game offers ample depth and strategic complexity for experienced players.

Uno features a distinctive deck of cards, each adorned with bright colors and easily recognizable symbols.

The deck consists of numbered cards in four colors (red, green, blue, and yellow) along with special action cards that add a dynamic twist to the game.

The primary objective in Uno is simple: be the first player to play all your cards. Players strategically match the top card of the discard pile with a card from their hand based on either the number or color.

Go Fish is typically played with a standard 52-card deck and the goal is to collect pairs of matching cards, referred to as 'books.' 

The game is well-suited for children and adults alike due to its straightforward rules and quick playtime.

At the beginning of the game, players are dealt a set number of cards. The remaining cards form the 'fish pond' in the center of the table. The player who asks for cards during their turn is referred to as the "fisherman."

Whenever a player collects a set of four matching cards, they place the set face up in front of them. The game continues until all books have been collected or the deck is depleted.

Crazy Eights, also known as Uno's wilder cousin, is a shedding card game that's perfect for a quick and easy dose of fun with friends and family.

The objective of Crazy Eights is to be the first player to discard all their cards.

Each player receives 7 cards from a standard 52-card deck (minus the jokers). The remaining cards form a draw pile in the center. 

If you have two or more cards of the same rank, you can play them all together as long as they match the suit or the declared suit by an 8.

The game is designed for partnerships, with each player in a team sitting across from their partner. Effective communication and collaboration between partners are essential for success in Canasta.

The primary objective in Canasta is to score points by forming melds, combinations of cards of the same rank. Melds can be made of natural cards (without jokers) or mixed cards (including jokers). 

To start building melds, a partnership must meet an initial meld requirement based on the total point value of the cards they hold. Once this requirement is met, players can continue to build on existing melds or create new ones.

The core mechanic of Monopoly Deal revolves around collecting sets of property cards. Players strategically play property, money, action, and rent cards to build their property portfolios.

The goal is to be the first to amass three complete property sets, providing a dynamic and engaging race to victory.

A typical round can be completed in 15 to 30 minutes, making it ideal for quick gaming sessions or as a filler between longer games.

Cards Against Humanity is a party game designed for mature audiences. It involves players completing fill-in-the-blank statements using phrases or words from the cards in their hands. The goal is to create the most amusing, outrageous, or absurd combinations.

The game consists of two sets of cards, black cards with fill-in-the-blank statements and white cards with words or phrases that players use to complete the blanks on the black cards. 

Cards Against Humanity is versatile and can be played in various social settings, from casual gatherings with friends to larger parties or events.

Spite and Malice is typically played with multiple standard 52-card decks. The game accommodates two to four players, each aiming to be the first to deplete their stockpile of cards.

The primary goal in Spite and Malice is to play all the cards from your stockpile to the center foundation piles, building them up in ascending order from Ace to Queen.

Players can also play on shared building piles in the center, competing to empty their stockpile first.

Each player has a personal stockpile where they draw and play cards. Players also have a hand of cards that they actively use to play on their own or the shared building piles.

Dominion is often credited with popularizing the deck-building mechanic. Unlike traditional card games, players start with a small, basic deck and gradually acquire new cards to enhance and customize their decks as the game progresses. 

A turn in Dominion consists of several phases: Action, Buy, and Clean-up. During the Action phase, players play Action cards from their hands. The Buy phase allows players to purchase new cards from the Kingdom or additional Treasure cards. The Clean-up phase involves discarding the remaining cards and drawing a new hand.

The Mind is defined by its minimalist design, featuring numbered cards with a tranquil aesthetic. The game's simplicity in components and rules belies the complexity of the challenges it presents to players.

The central goal in The Mind is for players to collectively play all the cards from their hands in ascending order.

The twist lies in the fact that players cannot communicate verbally or through any other means to coordinate their plays.

One of the defining features of The Mind is the prohibition of verbal communication or any form of signaling between players.

Codenames immerse players in a world of espionage and intrigue. Set in a backdrop of secret agents and covert missions, the game challenges players to use wit and deduction to uncover the identities of their agents while avoiding those of the opposing team.

The game is played in teams, typically divided into red and blue, with each team led by a spymaster.

Spymasters provide clues to guide their team members in identifying their agents among a grid of words.

Designed by Phil Walker-Harding, this game is easy to learn, quick to play, and offers a delightful experience for players of all ages. 

At its heart, Sushi Go! is a game set in a sushi restaurant where players aim to create the most appealing and point-worthy sushi combinations.

The charming illustrations of various sushi types, from Nigiri to Maki Rolls, enhance the game's visual appeal and contribute to its overall light-hearted atmosphere.

Exploding Kittens introduces players to a whimsical world filled with exploding feline friends, taco cats, and laser beams. The game's distinctive and humorous artwork adds a playful charm that resonates with players of all ages.

The primary goal in Exploding Kittens is to avoid drawing the titular Exploding Kitten card from the deck.

Players take turns drawing cards from the deck, hoping to stay in the game while strategically avoiding the explosive feline.

Double Deck Pinochle is typically played with four players, forming two partnerships. Partners sit across from each other, and the game revolves around the collaboration and communication between partners to achieve a higher score than the opposing team.

The primary objective is to score points through melds and by winning tricks in the game.

Melds are specific combinations of cards that contribute to a team's score and the partnership that reaches the predetermined winning score first emerges victorious.

Wizard is typically played with a standard 52-card deck with the addition of four Jesters and four Wizards, creating a deck of 60 cards.

Players are dealt a specific number of cards based on the round, ranging from one card in the first round to 60 cards in the final round.

Before each round, players must make bids predicting the number of tricks they will win.

The catch is that in Wizard, the number of tricks bid must equal the total number of tricks taken by all players combined.