Top 10 Card Games

~Welcome to the return of Don's Lists. This is currently only a summer thing, so I expect to do 10 new lists this summer, one each week to be finished by thursday morning. There may be some delays at times, so I apologize. Also to conclude the list season, I will be updating at least one major list, that is starting to show its age.

So the first list is my top 10 favorite card games. This does not include anything that includes a board, but just just straight up cards. This can, however, include a special deck so keep that in mind. I also didn't include any solo card games like freecell and solitaire, because that is a different experience.

10. Go Fish: The amount I played this game on yahoo is rediculous, lets get that understood immediately. When I was in college, I used to play every single day, and got to the point where I started to believe that there was a strategy to the madness. To be fair, I was ranked pretty sickenly high at one point, but I was probably just beating down 10 year olds. Its a childish game, but it definitely has its moments.

9: Speed: This is a game I have to be in the mood to play, but I definitely do enjoy it, just because its all about quick sight and play. Its a reflex type game, and in some ways it hurts it because it doesn't really have much to do with strategy, but for a quick adrenaline pump, I have no complaints.

8. Pinochle: I am constantly playing this game with Sam's family, so needless to say it should be on this list. I love the whole bidding aspect of the game, and the partner atmosphere (there is something to be said about a good partner game). The one problem is at times the game does move by slowly, which hurts it on this list, as when the cards are actually moving, the game definitely increases in entertainment value. I definitely look forward to playing pinochle though, with Sam's dad as my partner.

7. Phase 10: This game can make me go absolutely bonkers at times. I hate losing at Phase 10, and I have no idea why. The ability the game has to get you stuck on a stage for round after round while people pass you is absolutely infuriating, but also part of the charm. The game is never really over, and its fun to just work your way through the different stages and strategies.

6. Rummy 500: This is my favorite two person card game, and really the only one on this list that truly shines with only two players. It's basically like rummy, by getting sets and runs, and then adding up your points. However, it takes alot of strategy with whether you take a whole crew of cards just to get a set of 2's for an example. There are very few great strategic games that involve just two people, but don't let this one (or any rummy based games, really) pass you by.

5. SCAT: I can't believe I forgot this when I first made the last... The official Boni card game. So for the first time ever, I am editing one of my lists, but it is within 13 hours, so its ok. I have probably played more games of this than any other card game, as its quick, addictive, and does involve strategy. It takes only three cards, and only really hits its peak when you have six or more players, so that it can last awhile. I definitely enjoy the game, even though there are much fewer opportunities these days to play it.

4. Hearts: A few years ago, this would've been number one. I am pretty sure everyone reading this has some knowledge in who hearts works, so I won't go through the rules, but it is immensely fun game that involves alot of strategy. There are times when it is even worth taking a trick you don't have to, that will help protect you later. Similar to other games, you need four players (and four players only) to really have the experience, but if you have the opportunity, playing with real people is much better than the computer, as there is a strategic element, and its always fun to throw the queen of spades onto one of your friends.

3. Texas Hold'em Poker: Ah yes, the beauty that is Poker. I almost forgot about this card game when I was making the list, because its almost an entire game by itself, despite the fact it uses a regular 52 card deck. I love the strategy of the game, especially for the first one or two hours. The one qualm I have is that the game just keeps going sometimes, and if you're playing a large game with a huge group (the best way), it beats you up when trying to play smart in the head-to-head, when you just want it over. With that said, I miss the college days where we almost played once a week.

2. Wizard: Probably the newest game in my repertoire that made the list, I absolutely fell in love with Wizard the first time I ever played it, and I went out of my way to purchase it online. The whole planning how many tricks thing is where the game really shines, and the ability that when things go bad, you can always just screw over Matt Krueger and get sworn at. That is definitely a plus. I've played the game a ton, and one thing I've noticed is that I haven't actually gotten much better. If you haven't played Wizard yet, you must. It almost was my favorite card game ever.

1. Euchre: I know the Wizard supporters would be upset, but I truly do just absolutely love euchre. There is something to be said about partner based games, as you have to play as a team to be successful. This is the one yahoo card game I play consistently, because of this, and every partner plays slightly different then the one before. I have not had as much experience playing this game in real life as I would like, only because there just aren't a lot of euchre players around (despite what Degrass makes you think), but I do truly find it to be the perfect card game as it require alot of strategy, time work, and also moves by at an extremely fast pace. All extremely positive qualities when it comes to cards.