The Ultimate List of 2 Player Card Games (with a SINGLE DECK of Cards)

Last Updated on October 4, 2023 by Michele Tripple

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Looking for some fun with one of your best buddies, your spouse, or your child? Well, we have the ultimate list of the best two player card games and all you need is a single deck of playing cards!

feature image: The Ultimate List of 2 Player Card Games (with a SINGLE DECK of Cards)

We love games in my house. We have game nights at least once a week! Sometimes, it’s just me and one of my kids home, so a 2 player game is just what I need. We don’t love playing the same games over and over, so having a lot of options is really important to us. That’s why having a list like this is so important! We love having a lot of options, even when there’s only two of us.

If we have more than just the two of us home, we have a lot of other options too. Whether you need some ideas for 4 player games or 10 player games, we have you covered!

2 Player Card Games With a Single Deck of Cards!

Everyone loves a good game night but what about those times when you only have one other person to play with?  Don’t you wish there were more games to play with a deck of cards besides double solitaire? Two player card games can be hard to find which is why we created this ultimate list of 75 of the best two player card games that you and your spouse, or you and a child (or Friend)  can choose from depending on what type of game you’re looking for!

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Fast Paced Two Player Card Games

If you’re looking for a game that’ll keep you on your toes try these fast-paced two player games, but make sure you don’t blink or the game will be over before you even start!

Looking for a fun 2 player card game? Well, we have the ultimate list of the best two player card games and all you need is a single deck of playing cards!

Speed

There’s a reason that this two player card game is called speed and that is because this game is FAST! You’re trying to get rid of all the cards in your hand before the other person does so you’ll need speedy hands to play this two player game.

How to Play Speed

Deal

Shuffle a 52 card deck of cards. Each person gets 20 cards with 15 of their cards face down in a pile and the other 5 in another pile. The 12 leftover cards are placed in the middle of the table with 5 cards face down on the left and right and two single face-down cards in between them. So it should look like this: 5 cards, 1 card, 1 card, 5 cards (all face down)

Rules you need to know to play Speed

Each player holds their 5 card pile in their hand. When you are ready each person flips over one of the single cards in the middle over and the game begins!

Without taking turns, players go as fast as they can to get rid of the cards in their hands. To get rid of your cards you can play either a card higher or lower than the cards in the middle. For example, if a 2 or an 8 are the two single cards in the middle of the table you can either play an ace or a 3 on the 2 or a 7 or a 9 on the 8. You can only play one card from your hand at a time but as soon as you play a card you can draw another card from your face down 20 card pile. You can only have 5 cards in your hand at one time.

If you and the other player can’t play on the two cards that are in the middle then at the same time you both may flip over one of the cards from the 5 card piles that were set up originally next to the single cards at the beginning of the game.

Winning Speed

To win the game you have to be the first person to get rid of all the cards in your hand and yells out speed. If you get rid of all your cards but the other player yells speed first then they win!

Speed is a great two player game! It’s fun, thrilling, and one of the best two player card games and you’ll soon realize that they call it Speed for a reason!

California Speed

Like Speed, this game is FAST! Try this different version and see if you have what it takes to win.

How to Play California Speed

Deal

Deal all the cards out equally so each person gets 26 cards each. Each player then deals four cards face up in the middle of the table at the same time. You should know have two rows of four cards.

Rules on How to Play California Speed

As soon as the last cards are turned over start looking for matches. A match is any two (or more) cards that are the same number or face card (suit doesn’t matter). When a player finds a match they immediately deal new cards over the match(es). If both players spot the same match at the same time one player can cover one card while the other player covers the other match with a new card from their hand.

When no one can make a match then each player grabs the row of four in front of them and takes those cards and puts it at face down at the bottom of their pile. Both players then deal four cards face up in front of them at the same time and continues to make matches.

Winning California Speed

Be the first to get rid of all your cards onto matching cards!

California Speed is such a fun two player game because it’s fast and unlike Speed, you look for matches, which can get even crazier at times! This is definitely one of the best two player card games that you have to try!

Looking for a fun 2 player card game? Well, we have the ultimate list of the best two player card games and all you need is a single deck of playing cards!

Egyptian Rat Screw

You might get sore hands in this fast-paced slapping game. In this two player card game, you try to get all the cards in the deck by slapping different combination of cards. So keep your eyes peeled and your hands ready if you want to win this fast two player game!

How to Play Egyptian Rat Screw

Deal

Shuffle a 52 card deck (with or without the Jokers). Without looking at the cards deal out the cards evenly face down to each person until all the cards are gone. Hand out the piles to each player keeping them face down.

Rules

Decide who goes first. Take turns putting one of your cards from your pile into the middle of the table, turning it over to show the card as you do so. If you put down a number card then the next player puts down one of their cards and this continues until someone pulls an ace or a face card (K,Q,J).

If someone plays an ace or a face card the next player must also put down an ace or face card. If the card is an ace then the other player has four tries (king would be three, queen two, jack one) to get a face card. Ex. If a king was played by my opponent then I would flip over a card. If it still wasn’t an ace or face card then I would have two more chances to get an ace or face card.  If they don’t happen to pull an ace or face card then the player who pulled the last ace or face card gets the whole pile and adds it face down to the bottom of their pile. The winner of that hand gets to start the next round.

There is only one other way that you can win a pile without having an ace or face cards and this is the only way that overrides the ace and face card. That rule is called… the slap rule! The first person to slap the pile of cards when the rule applies gets the pile! If it’s too close of a call then the person with the most fingers on the pile wins the hand.

Slap Rules for Egyptian Rat Screw

You can choose to play Egyptian Rat Screw with one or all of these slap rules!

Double- When there are two cards of the same value Ex. 2,2 or J,J

Sandwich- When you have two cards of the same value with a different card in the middle Ex. 2,7,2

Top Bottom- When you play the same card as the very first card laid down at the beginning of the round

Tens- When two consecutive cards (or with a face card in between them) add up to ten. The ace in this rule counts as one. Ex. 2,8 or A,Q,9

Jokers- If you decide that you are playing with jokers then whenever one is played you can slap it to win the whole pile.

Four in a Row- When you have four consecutive cards going either up or down in value. Ex. 3,4,5,6 or Q,K,A, 2

Marriage- When you have either K,Q or Q,K

But be careful! If you slap the pile when it wasn’t actually a slap rule you have to put one or two cards at the bottom of the pile.

If you play with more people you can always slap yourself back in the game as long as people are still playing

Winning Egyptian Rat Screw

The person who gets all of the cards is the winner!

Egyptian rat screw is such a fun two player card game! It is one of the best two player card games because you have to be paying close attention otherwise you might lose!

Looking for a fun 2 player card game? Well, we have the ultimate list of the best two player card games and all you need is a single deck of playing cards!

Frustration

Better move fast in this two person card game if you want to be the first one to have your cards run out!

Idiot

This is another fast-paced two person card game where you are trying to get rid of all the cards in your hands but the end of this game has a funny twist–the loser is called an idiot and has to wear a funny hat! So if you don’t want to look silly you better be fast in this quick game!

King’s Corner

Try to get rid of all your cards the fastest by paying attention to the order of the cards. This is a GREAT game to introduce to beginners!

Nerts

This is a great fast paced two player card game for those looking for a racing game, but be careful, it also takes a lot of patience if you want to win. This is actually one of my favorites!

Looking for a fun 2 player card game? Well, we have the ultimate list of the best two player card games and all you need is a single deck of playing cards!

Slap Jack

Watch your hands on this fast game! Try to get all the cards by slapping a jack whenever you see one. So make sure you don’t blink otherwise you might miss one and pay the price for it with a slap on the hand!

Spit

Like in Speed, this fast-moving two player card game sees who can be the first to get rid of their cards. You might want to practice a staring contest first because you won’t want to blink in this two player game!

How to Play Spit

Deal

Shuffle a 52 card deck of cards. Each player will have five stock cards. The first pile will have one card, the second pile will have two cards, the third pile will have three cards, the fourth pile will have four cards and the fifth pile will have five cards. In all the stockpiles the last card will be face up. That leaves 11 cards per player. This becomes your spit cards and you keep them face down.

Rules on How to Play Spit

When each player is ready you both yell out spit while turning over the first card from your spit cards and place them side by side in the middle of the table between the two stockpiles. These cards (and the cards that will be placed on top of them) are called the spit piles. Now you are ready to play spit!

You are trying to get rid of all of your cards in your stockpiles and put them in the spit pile. But be careful because once you play a card you can’t put it back. You can only use one hand and can move only one card at a time. Here are the things you can do:

-Play any face-up card in any of your stockpiles onto the spit pile (as long as it is going up or down). Ex. if the stockpiles had a 2 and a 6 then you can either play an ace or a 3 on the 2 or a 5 or a 7 on the 6.

-If any of your stockpiles have face down cards you can turn them over so they are face up

-You can move a face-up card from one of your stockpiles into an empty stock pile spot, but you can only have 5 stockpiles at once.

If both players can’t use any of their face-up stockpile cards on the spit piles then they both shouts spit again and each turn over a spit card onto the spit piles (just like at the beginning of the game) and continues to play again.

If both players can’t use any of their face-up stockpile cards on the spit piles and one player doesn’t have any spit cards left then only the person with spit cards left takes a single spit card and puts it on either spit pile. But once you choose which spit pile to add your spit card to you have to continue to use that spit pile whenever no play is possible (or until one player runs out of stock cards)

A new setup is dealt when one player gets rid of all their stockpiles or when the game stops because both players run out of spit cards but they both have cards in their stockpiles. In both of these cases, each player chooses a spit pile by slapping it (you’ll want to try to slap the one that you think is smaller). Each player takes one of the spit piles and adds it to any spit cards and stock cards they have left. Shuffle the cards and deal out a new layout (just like the beginning setup). When both players are ready they both yell out spit and continue the game all over again.

If a player has less than 15 cards then a player won’t be able to deal out a new layout. In this case, the player deals their cards into 5 stockpiles as far as they can go having the top card of each pile face up. However, now this player doesn’t have any spit cards so there will be only one spit pile that the other player starts.

Once you only playing with one spit pile the first player to get rid of their stockpiles does NOT take any cards from the middle. The other player takes the single spit pile and their stock cards. When you are playing with only one spit pile and a player has gotten rid of all their cards (they have no more spit cards and has gotten rid of all of their stockpile cards) then they have won the game!

Spit is one of the best two player games because it is fast just like Speed but the game lasts longer which means you never know who could take it all and be the champion! Who knows, you might be the next winner of Spit, only one way to find out!

Looking for a fun 2 player card game? Well, we have the ultimate list of the best two player card games and all you need is a single deck of playing cards!

Two Player Gambling Games

Forget going all the way to Vegas for a fun night out and try out these fun two player gambling card games! Some are betting games and some are for adults only. So settle in and have a fun night in with some of the best two player card games out there!

3 Card Poker

Unlike normal poker, there is no full house, but that doesn’t take away the fun from this betting game!

5 Card Draw

This was a game that has been here for a long, long time! Try to get the best 5 card hand and you win!

Anaconda Poker

In this fun betting game, you bet that YOU have the BEST hand (or pretend you do) in hopes of winning the pot!

Baccarat

This is a simple game that is perfect for two! One person is the banker and the other is the player. Make your bets and see who wins–banker or player?

Badugi

To win the pot in this game you have to have the LOWEST set of cards. But! No set can be the same rank or suit! Think you’re up to the challenge?

Basra

Try this Middle Eastern fishing game and see if you can beat the dealer!

Blackjack

Try your luck in this counting game! But be careful, don’t get over 21 or you lose!

Casino

Another fishing game! Try to get all the cards on the table and you win! Think you can do it? Try it!

Cincinnati Poker

No need to go to Ohio to see how they play poker! This betting game puts a little spin on the traditional game of poker.

Cold Hand Poker

This is a savage game of no betting and no draws! You get what you get and try to convince others that you have the better hand. Better start practicing your poker face!

Crazy Pineapple

This fun take on Texas Hold’em and Pineapple Poker will make you crazy with the desire to win this fun betting game!

Five Card Omaha

This is a fun and exciting game that might empty your pockets if you’re not careful!

GOPS

This acronym, Game Of Pure Strategy, has its name for a reason! You’ll need to really think through each move to win this game!

Irish Poker

A mix of Texas Hold’em and Omaha, this game is great for when you can’t decide which one to play!

Let it Ride

This is a newer Casino game but it is slower decreasing in popularity. That means you probably will have a hard time finding it in Vegas. But no worries, you can play it here!

Open Face Chinese Poker

Try to get a qualifying hand to win this version of poker. There are so many different ways to play poker that you won’t want to miss this version!

Pineapple Poker

Similar to Texas Hold’em, this fun poker game puts a spin on the classic game that everyone knows and loves!

Texas Hold’em

Try your luck in this popular betting game! Win the pot by having the best hand. Who knows, maybe you’ll find you have a hidden knack for this game!

Looking for a fun 2 player card game? Well, we have the ultimate list of the best two player card games and all you need is a single deck of playing cards!

Two Player Card Games for Kids

Looking to play something simple that even a child could play? Try out these two player card games for kids! Or introduce your kids to these easy two player card games and have a fun parent/child date! You are probably familiar with a few of these classic two player card games but I bet there are some on here that you’ve never heard of!

52 Card Pickup

Turn this prank game into an actual game! Throw the cards and choose which card to look for and whoever finds it is the winner. Simple, fast, and fun!

Looking for a fun 2 player card game? Well, we have the ultimate list of the best two player card games and all you need is a single deck of playing cards!

Beggar My Neighbor

Similar to War, this easy and long game will keep you busy all night in trying to win the whole deck. So settle in for a fun, sometimes tense, game of Beggar My Neighbor!

Bingo

No need for fancy bingo cards! Just grab a deck and start playing in this two player version! Or grab one of our free bingo boards!

Chinese Ten

In this game, you try to capture cards until you run out of cards in your hands and see who can get the most points!

Crazy Eights

In this classic game, the 8’s are the wild ones! Try to be the first one to get rid of all the cards in your hand, but watch out for those 8 because they can make the game go crazy!

Cuttle

In this fun game, you try to be the first to rack up 21 points. This game is super fun because there are lots of different ways you can play making each time something new and exciting!

Go Fish

With two different versions to play go fish, it is perfect for every kid level! If you perfect collecting two of a kind then try to get four a kind in this classic game. Get the most and you win! Take turns asking your partner for a card. If they don’t have it, then Go Fish!

James Bond

Pretend to be a spy in this fun card game! If you can get 4 of one card in each pile then you win and can pronounce yourself Bond, James Bond.

Memory

Test your memorization skills in this classic kids game. Take turns turning two cards over. If they match, they’re yours! If not, it’s your partner’s turn.

Old Maid

Try to make pairs in this classic kids game, but be careful! You don’t want to end up with the old maid otherwise you lose!

Red Frog Black Frog

Enjoyed playing Chinese Ten? Then try this game! It is very similar to Chinese Ten but the scoring is different. Who knows, maybe you’ll be better at this version of the game!

Snap

Get your voices ready for this shouting game! Try to win all the cards. If you notice a matching pair yell snap and win the pile!

Looking for a fun 2 player card game? Well, we have the ultimate list of the best two player card games and all you need is a single deck of playing cards!

War

The classic game that seems to last forever, am I right? But when you do finally win War it is SO gratifying because it took forever to get that victory.

How to Play War

Deal

Shuffle a 52 card deck of cards. Deal out all the cards face down so each player has 26 cards each. Never look at these cards.

Rules on How to Play War

Each player pulls their top face down card and puts in the middle of the table face up. The player with the higher card wins the hand and places the cards face down on the bottom of their pile. If there is a tie then it becomes a war. Each player then puts down another face-down card followed by a face-up card. The player with the higher card of these new cards wins the whole pile (the old cards and the new cards including the face-down cards) and places the pile face down at the bottom of their pile. If the new cards are tied again then the war continues by adding another face-down card then a face-up card until someone has the higher card.

Winning War (the Card Game!)

To win War you have to win all the cards! The player who runs out of cards loses.

War is such a fun and easy two player card game that you can play with your spouse or your kids! It’s one of the best two player card games because the game lasts a while which means the victory is much sweeter!

Steal War

This game is a combination of Stealing Bundles AND War, for when you can’t decide which game to play!

How to Play Steal War

Deal

Shuffle a deck of 52 cards (and the jokers–which are the highest cards in Steal War). Deal out the cards face down so each player has the same amount of cards. This is your pile that you never look at and keep face down.

Rules of Steal War

Each player then puts down three face-down cards from the top of their pile on the table at the same time followed by one face-up card. When cards are won the player takes the whole pile and places them face up beside them. After each win, you take the pile and place it face up on top of the pile.

At the same time, each player takes one of their face-down cards and lays them in the middle of the table, but before you do that you can look at it and see if it matches the top face-up card of your opponent. If it does match you can steal their face up pile by putting your card face up on top of their pile and then putting that pile face up on top of your face up pile, without changing the order of the cards. You then can look at your next face down pile and put it in the middle.

When playing cards in the middle the player with the higher card wins the pile. If it is a tie then it becomes a war. Each player puts down a face-down card and then a face-up card. The player with the higher face-up card wins the whole pile and adds it face-up to their face up pile. If during the war the players again have the same cards then the war continues on by drawing one face-down card and one face up until someone gets a higher card.

As soon as you finish your face down cards you turn over and shuffle your face up cards and starts again.

Winning Steal War

To win Steal War you want to be the player with all the cards! If you run out of cards, you lose!

Steal War is such a fun easy two player card game for kids and for adults! Unlike in the normal version of War where you just have to worry about the cards in front of you, now you have to worry about someone stealing your pile too!

Stealing Bundles

This two player card game for kids can get brutally mean! Like the name says, you literally steal your partner’s bundle of cards if you get a match. See if you can be the thief and not the victim in this fun and exciting kids game!

Looking for a fun 2 player card game? Well, we have the ultimate list of the best two player card games and all you need is a single deck of playing cards!

Trick Taking 2 Player Card Games

Trick-taking games are games where you have different rounds (called tricks) in hopes of taking the trick, or hand. So if you like taking things, I’d try these trick-taking games and see just how good you really are!

66

Think you have what it takes to get to 66 points? Then try your luck in this trick-taking two player card game!

How to Play 66

Deal

Take out all the cards from a 52 card deck except for the A, K, Q, J, 10, and 9 of every suit. The highest card in 66 is the ace, then A, 10, K, Q, J, 9. Deal three cards face down to your opponent then three face-down cards to you. Deal three more cards face down to your opponent and then three more face-down to you. A thirteenth card is flipped over and it determines the trump suit for the hand. Place the remaining 11 cards crosswise on top of the trump card so that is half covered. The 12 cards on the table are known as the stock. The winner of the hand then becomes the dealer for the next hand.

Rules of 66

The non-dealer can play any of their six cards face up. The next player plays any of their cards face up. These two cards are called a trick. If the cards are the same suit then the higher card wins. If just one player plays a trump (the suit that the trump card is) then they win. If both players play different suits AND they aren’t the trump suit then the first player wins (no matter if the second player had a higher ranking card). The person who wins the trick gets the cards and places them face down in front of them and they can’t be looked at until the play ends. They then draw the top card from the stock and adds it to their hand. The other player does the same thing so that each player has 6 cards in their hands. The winner of the trick then places another card face up and the other player follows with a card of his own. The winner of the sixth trick draws the last face down card from the stock and the other player grabs the face up trump card underneath it.

Once the stock cards are gone the rules change. Each player is forced to follow suit in order to win the trick. For example, if the first person plays a 9 of hearts then the other player must play a higher heart card (A, 10, K, Q, or J). If this player can’t play a higher card then they have to play a lower card of the same suit. If they don’t have the same suit then they have to play a trump if possible. If this player doesn’t have a trump then they can throw in any card. The winner of each trick leads the next one.

As soon as a player wins a trick or declares a meld (described later) that brings his points to 66 (or more) then he can stop the play by just saying “out” and he can then win the hand. You can only win this way immediately after winning a trick or melding. When a player calls “out” the value of his cards from the tricks he won are counted. If he has at least 66 points then he wins an extra point (depending on how many tricks the other player has). If a player calls “out” and he doesn’t have 66 points then he loses two points no matter how many points his opponent has.

If a player goes out with 66 or more card points then they win the deal regardless of if the opponent had reached 66 earlier and if they have more points than the player who went out correctly. If you forget to go out when you have 66 or more points and go into the next trick then you will not be able to go out until you win another trick. If the other player reaches 66 and goes out before you can win another trick then your opponent wins. The winner is the person who correctly goes out.

Usually, the cards are not played to the end because someone reaches 66 and goes out. If no one goes out then the last trick is worth 10 extra points. If the players have the same amount of points then the hand is a draw and no game points are scored and the dealer deals again. If no one goes out and the cards are played until the very end then the winner is the person with the higher points–which includes the 10 points for winning the last trick.

If a player has the 9 of trumps then they can, if they want, switch it for the trump card under the stock right before they start a trick–only if he has won at least one trick. If the player wishes to do this then they take the trump card and puts the 9 of trumps in its place. If you get the 9 of trump from drawing it after you lost a trick you can’t exchange it until you win a new trick. You can’t exchange the 9 of trumps when you are leading the trick except when the other player closes the stock.

If the stock isn’t gone then the person who is leading can close the stock. This means they are committed to reach at least 66 points and go out without drawing any more cards from the stock. Before leading a new trick the player can close the stock by taking the face up trump card and putting it face down on top of the stock. Now the game follows the second phase of the rules where the player has to follow the suit whenever possible. The player who closed the stock can meld a marriage (described later) right after closing it but no other marriages can be melded in following tricks. You can close the stock right after winning a trick when each player has only 5 cards in their hand. The winner of a trick can also draw from the stock and then close it with each person having 6 card in their hands. The non-dealer can also close at the start of the play before leading into the first trick. The last chance to close is right after the sixth trick. The winner of the sixth trick can close the stock holding just 5 cards before the last two cards are drawn from the stock. Once the stock is closed the players have to play the cards in their hands following the second phase rules (following the suit whenever possible). Both players continue to count points when they win a trick but there isn’t a score for the last trick. If the player who closed the stock has at least 66 points then he wins and the score is based on the cards in the other players tricks before and after closing. If a player closes the stock and doesn’t go out with 66 points then the other player gets 2 or 3 game points, depending on if they had any tricks at the moment of closing.

When a player closes the stock the other player can immediately switch the 9 of trumps from his hand even if he hasn’t won a trick. They just have to show the 9 of trumps and take the now face down trump card from the top of the stock and place their 9 of trumps face down in the trumps place on the stock. The player doesn’t have to switch out his 9 of trumps for the trump when the stock closes, but he can if he wants.

If the leading player has a King and Queen (or King and 10 or Ace) of the same suit then they can meld them in a marriage. If they are in the trump suit then they are worth 40 points. If it’s not a trump suit then they are worth 20 points. The player says either “20” or “40” depending on what type of marriage it is and places one of the cards down. You can only meld one marriage when leading to a trick. If you have another meld you could make you have to wait until you win a trick. The last chance you can declare a marriage is when leading the 6th trick. If you are leading and have a marriage to meld that will take you over 66 points then you can show the marriage immediately and go out to win the deal. This ends the play and you don’t lead a card. The non-dealer can also declare a marriage in the first trick. But the 20 or 40 points count if they then win at least one trick. If a player announces a marriage and then wins no tricks then the other player gets 3 game points when they reach 66 points and declares out.

The winner of each deal gets one or more game points. Game points are scored for winning a deal while the other points are for winning tricks, which determines who wins each deal. If a player gets 66 points first he gets 1 game point. If he gets 66 points before the other player gets 33 points then he wins 2 game points. If he gets 66 points before the other player gets a trick he wins 3 game points. If no one scores 66 or no one announced then no one scores in that hand and 1 point is given to the score of the winner in the next hand. If a player closes the stock and doesn’t get 66 points then the other player gets 2 game points. If a player closes the stock and doesn’t get 66 points then the other player gets 3 game points. You need 66 points to win the hand. To get 66 points you get 40 points for a marriage in trumps, 20 for marriage not in trump, each Ace is worth 11 points, Kings are worth 4, Queens are worth 3, Jacks are worth 2, and the winning last trick is worth 10.

How to Win 66

The person who gets 7 or more game points is the winner of 66!  

Agram

You’re going to have to work fast in this trick-taking game because you only have 6 rounds to win the game!

All Fives

Change things up with this game by having the Royals be the lowest scoring cards! Be the first to get 60 points and you win! This game can also be played with dominos!

Bezique

Collect different combinations in this trick taking game. To win, try to win tricks that contain aces and get to 1000 points!

Blind Don

This two player version of Nine Card Don will test your ability to guess and strategize since some of your cards are face down and you’re blind!

Cucumber

Unlike most trick-taking games where you want to win the last hand, in this game you DON’T want to win the last hand. This makes it ever harder to try to strategize to win the game. Are you up for the challenge?

German Whist

In this game, you have two stages to win a trick! Whoever has the majority of the 13 tricks wins the game!

Go Boom

To win this trick-taking game you have to get rid of all your cards first! But be careful, if you can’t play then you have to keep drawing until you can!

Looking for a fun 2 player card game? Well, we have the ultimate list of the best two player card games and all you need is a single deck of playing cards!

Hola

Unlike most games 2’s and 7’s are wild and aces and 10’s are the only cards that are worth points in this game! First to 500 points wins the game!

Knock-Out Whist

You don’t want to get knocked out in this trick-taking game! If you do you’ll be dealt no more cards and are out of the game!

Mate

With only 4 games to get the most points, this game will keep you on your toes as you try to beat your partner in a race to the finish line!

Pepper

Trick taking AND betting?! Count me in! In this exciting game, you try to be the first to get 30 points. Think you can do it? Try it out!

Pinochle

Pinochle is not just a game for old people anymore! You have to try to win tricks AND make certain card combinations. It’ll take a sharp mind to win this game!

Misc 2 Player Card Games Totally Worth Mentioning

4 Card Golf

This is the classic card game of golf where the winner has the smallest score! Are you up for the challenge?

6 Card Golf

Just like in real golf the person with the lowest score wins! Swap out your cards for lower numbers to take home the win.

8 Card Golf

Like 4 and 6 card golf? Try 8 card golf! With a different set up this is a great variation to play.

9 Card Golf

If 4, 6 and 8 card golf isn’t enough for you then try 9 card golf! These variations are great for when you love the card game golf but want to switch things up a bit.  

Banakil

Try this international rummy game and see if you can get the most points!

Carousel

This game ends once you get 150 points so you got to move fast if you want to win this game!

Cat and Mouse

In this two player card game, you take turns to try to get rid of all the cards in your hand. Play it smart and you could end up getting rid of all your cards first!

Cheat

Also known as BS, this game will see how well you are at keeping a straight face. Get rid of all your cards through lying, but get caught and you’ll end up with more cards than you can get rid of!

Cricket

Take this outside British game and take it indoors with this card game version!

Looking for a fun 2 player card game? Well, we have the ultimate list of the best two player card games and all you need is a single deck of playing cards!

Double Solitaire

You no longer have to play solitaire alone in this Double Solitaire version of the game! Use your partner’s hand to try to complete your own hand and win the game!  

How to Play Double Solitaire

Deal

Each player gets their own deck of 52 cards (having the back of the cards be different for each player will help, but isn’t necessary to play,  in knowing which cards belong to which deck). Each player shuffles their cards and creates seven piles in front of them with the top card of each pile facing up (just like in normal Solitaire). The first pile will have only one card and that card is face up. The second pile will have two cards, the third pile will have three cards, the fourth pile will have four cards, the fifth pile will have five cards, the sixth pile will have six cards, and the seventh pile will have seven cards–all having their top card face up.  

Rules of Double Solitaire

There are two ways to play Double Solitaire. The first way is by taking turns. You can play on your own seven piles and on your opponent’s piles. Or you can play it as a race where both players are playing simultaneously on each other’s piles. In whichever way you choose to play the rules of solitaire are the same for Double Solitaire. However, in Double Solitaire since you are playing with two decks you will have eight foundation piles instead of four (ex. Two piles for the hearts, two piles for the spades, etc.). You can play on any of the foundation piles as long as you still follow the rules of solitaire and go up by number and it is the same suit.

How to Win Double Solitaire

The first player to move all of their cards into the foundation piles wins! If the game is blocked then the person with the most cards in the foundation piles wins the game.

Double Solitaire is such a fun and easy two player card game if you already know how to play solitaire! I love Double Solitaire because it takes a one person game and turns it into a two player game so you don’t have to play alone.

Gin Rummy

In this two deck card game, you try to get over 100 points by forming combinations of 3 or more cards. Get over 100 points and you win the game!

Guadalupe

Try this new and fun game that doesn’t require jokers!

Hockey

Take this fun outside game and bring it indoors! Try to score the most points to win this exciting card game!

Hollywood Eights

8’s are wild in this fun game! They can be played in any turn so watch out because your plan to win could change in a blink!  

Hoola

Form melds in this rummy game! But watch out for those 7’s they are special cards in this game.

Loba de Menos

Play this for fun or play this for money! Just don’t go out first or you lose!

Marriage

This is a great game to play with your spouse! Test your marriage with the marriage card game and see who comes out the winner!

Rummy

One of the best-known games this card game is a classic that you HAVE to try!

Trash

Taking out the trash isn’t fun but this simple game of trash sure is! Try it, you’ll see that taking out the trash can actually be fun!

Who knew there were so many 2 player card games you could play with a deck of cards let alone two player card games?! Two player card games are the perfect stay in date night! Or it’s a great way to keep your kids occupied while you get stuff done. Whichever 2 player card game you play you are bound to have fun with some friendly competition!

Looking for more fun Card Games? Try these!

Which 2 Player Card Games are you most excited to try? Is there any we missed? Let us know in the comments below!

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Looking for a fun 2 player card game? Well, we have the ultimate list of the best two player card games and all you need is a single deck of playing cards!

25 thoughts on “The Ultimate List of 2 Player Card Games (with a SINGLE DECK of Cards)”

  1. Oh damned, 75 games and yet you forgot one of the most interesting 2-players card game in the world: Cribbage 🙂

    For those who might think using the cribbage board is mandatory when playing Cribbage, well it’s not. It’s just smoother to peg points using the board than writing the score every 5 seconds or so on the paper!

    (it can also be played with more players, but honestly, the 2-players game is way better)

    Reply
  2. I can admit I’ve only heard of and played a handful of these card games. I haven’t played any in a while. Thanks for sharing.

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    • It’s so perfect to just be able to pull up a list of two player games and have entertainment from a simple deck of cards! Perfect for holidays and having guest over.

      Reply
  3. Wow! What a find. So many I remember and so many I’ve never heard of. My 10 yr old was very entertained for a while anyway!

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    • Thanks! We love playing games but not everyone wants to play all the time so we love two player card games so that we always have a game to play!

      Reply
    • Yay! That’s what we like to hear! There are soooooo many 2 player card games, and we wanted to make an easy go-to list to find them all.

      Reply
  4. This is a great list! I’m definitely going to have to use some of these to play with my daughter on rainy days. 🙂

    Reply

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