5 Most Unique Worldwide Card Games

Most of us learn how to play cards from a very early age. This global pastime favorite has been adopted in many forms, and we all know of the main games like poker, Texas hold ‘em and Go Fish. We usually start playing with friends and family as we make special memories before growing into the real money entertainment offered on iGaming platforms such as LeagueOfSlots Casino.

However, you haven’t experienced it all until you have tried new card game inventions from different parts of the world. If you’ve ever wanted to try out a completely different game with the classic deck of cards, here are a few that will definitely pique your interest.

1. Ten-Two Slide

This Scandinavian game also played in the UK, is also known as Palace, Karma, or Shithead in Western regions. Each player is dealt nine cards, three of which are face down, another three are dealt face up, and the last three are given to the player. The aim of it is to play cards in increasing order, and the last person left standing is deemed the ‘shithead.’ This is how the game goes:

• Play a 3: This card is ignored.
• A 10: Resets the whole game.
• An 8: Next player is skipped.
• A 2: Resets the game back to 2.
• A 7: Next player has to play a card below 7.
• You can play two cards of the same number at once.
• Four of the same card played in a row ‘burns’ the pile.
• If you have no card to play, you have to pick all the cards in the ‘burnt’ pile.

The game ends as players play the face-down cards without looking at them, and the last one still plays – losses.

2. Durak

In this Russian game, cards between 2 and 5 are usually removed. Then, 6 cards are dealt to each player, and one card is chosen and placed faceup at the bottom of the deck. The suit of this card determines the winning suit of the round. Each player attacks the next by placing one card down, and the next player is to place a card of equal or higher value or one that matches the winning suit. If a player doesn’t have a defending card to play, they must pick up all the cards on the table. Players must pick up to 6 cards at the end of each round, and you will win if you discard all your cards first.

3. Bhabi

This is a popular card game from Pakistan played by up to 13 players, and you can always add another deck. The cards are divided equally among players, and the person with the ace of spades starts. Players are to play cards of the same suit, and the player with the highest card at the end of a round will start the next one. A player can throw their turn if they do not have a card to play, and the person who played the highest card has to pick up all the cards played by that point. The loser is the last person left with cards.

4. Cuarenta

Cuarenta means ‘forty’ in Spanish, which is the point of this card game popular in Ecuador. Usually played by up to four people, it starts with each player getting 5 cards, and the player on the right of the dealer begins. Jokers, 8s, 9s, and 10s are removed from the deck, and the winner is the first to reach forty points. During the game, you’ll get two points when you play a card:

• Of the same number as has just been played;
• That sums up the cards on the table;
• That ends a sequence, e.g., 4, 5, 6, and you play a 2.

After completing card dealing, you are supposed to count your cards for extra points. You earn 6 points for the first card after 19 cards, and every card thereafter earns you a point. Since points are counted in even numbers only, any odd-number points are rounded off to the next even number.

5. Dumbal

Dumbal originates from Nepal, and you can play it with 2 to 6 players in a clockwise direction, with the aim of the game being to get the lowest total sum of cards. To start, each player receives 5 cards from the deal. During your turn, you can discard more than one card, either of the same value or a sequence of 3-5 cards of the same suit. However, you can only pick up one card at a time from the deck or one dropped by another player. You can end the game with a value of 5 or less, though it can continue until the lowest value wins.

A Deck of Cards Equals a World of Fun

So many cultures have invented games that have become the world’s most popular group activities. Try out some of these games for a refreshing way to entertain your family and friends.