How: Players pass cards around trying to collect 4-of-a-kind. Once someone gets it, they grab a spoon from the middle. Everyone else scrambles for the remaining spoons (one less than the number of players). The one left out is eliminated!
President (a.k.a. Scum)
Players: 4+
How: Players try to shed all their cards first by playing higher cards than the previous one. The winner becomes the “President,” and the loser is “Scum” for the next round. Hierarchy continues with funny perks/penalties (President gets first pick of Scum’s best card, etc.).
Mafia with Cards
Players: 6+
How: Assign Mafia, Doctor, Cop, and Villagers using cards (e.g., Ace = Mafia, King = Cop, Queen = Doctor, rest = Villagers). Night/day cycle begins, with players accusing and voting to eliminate suspects. Great social deduction game.
Circle of Death (Kings Cup) 🍻 (Drinking game, if suitable)
Players: 4+
How: Cards are spread in a circle. Each card corresponds to an action (e.g., 2 = “You,” 3 = “Me,” 8 = “Mate,” King = add to the cup). Great for parties.
Cheat (a.k.a. I Doubt It)
Players: 3+
How: Players place cards face-down claiming they are, say, “two Jacks.” Others can call “Cheat!” If the player lied, they take the pile; if not, the accuser takes it. Goal: get rid of all cards.
Slapjack
Players: 2+
How: Players flip cards into a pile. Whenever a Jack appears, everyone slaps the pile. The first to slap gets the cards. Misslaps can cost you!
Speed (for two, but can run tournament style)
Players: 2
How: Both players race to play cards in sequence (higher or lower) onto piles in the middle. It’s a test of reflexes and speed.
31 (Baskin / Scat)
Players: 3–9
How: Goal is to get cards totaling 31 in one suit (Aces = 11, face = 10). Lowest score each round loses a life. Fast, fun, and easy to learn.
Palace
Players: 3+
How: Players get rid of all their cards by playing higher or special cards onto a central pile. If you can’t play, you must take the pile. The last one with cards loses.
Card Mafia Variant – Assassin
Players: 4+
How: One Ace is secretly dealt — that person is the “Assassin.” Everyone chats normally, but the Assassin can wink at people to “kill” them. If you’re winked at, you must “die” dramatically after a few seconds. Others try to guess who the Assassin is before everyone’s out.
High Card Showdown
Each player draws 1 card.
Highest card wins the round.
Play tournament-style (winner stays, others rotate).
Add twists: losers do a dare, or winners score points.
Closest to 21
Each player draws 2–3 cards.
Try to get as close to 21 without going over (A = 1 or 11, face = 10).
Great for quick rounds.
Red or Black
A player predicts if their card will be red (♥♦) or black (♠♣).
If wrong, they do a dare / lose a point.
Can make it a drinking game or just for laughs.
Higher or Lower
One card is shown. Player guesses if the next card will be higher or lower.
Keep streaks for score, or assign fun penalties when wrong.
War (Simplified)
Two players each draw 1 card.
Higher card wins the round.
For group play: winner stays, challenger rotates.
Four of a Kind Race
Each player gets up to 4 random cards.
First to draw 4-of-a-kind in repeated rounds wins.
Works like a quick competition game.
Suit Roulette
Each player bets on a suit (♥, ♦, ♠, ♣).
App draws 1 card — if it matches your suit, you win!
Can be used with scoring or party dares.
Lucky Pair
Players draw 2 cards each.
Pairs (same number/face) beat non-pairs.
Tie-break: highest card pair wins.
Fun, fast, and competitive.
Card Truth or Dare
Assign actions to suits (e.g., ♥ = truth, ♠ = dare, ♦ = pass, ♣ = pick who plays).
Each player draws 1 card and does the action.
Keeps the group engaged and laughing.
Assassin (Wink Variant with Cards)
Deal out cards — whoever gets the Ace of Spades is the secret assassin.
Assassin eliminates people by “signaling” (like winking, finger guns, or nodding).
Others must guess the assassin before too many are out.
Goalpost
Draw 2 cards that will form the goal post.
Players take turn to draw a card.
Players with cards out of the goal post range scores = 1x penalty (etc. 4 & 9 are the goal post, and you pick a 10)
Players with cards of the same number means hitting the post = 2x penalty
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