Are you a card game enthusiast looking for classic matching games that will challenge even the most experienced players? If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the best classic matching card games designed to provide hours of fun and enjoyment and an exciting challenge!
From Slapjack to Pinochle, these timeless classics have captivated generations since their inception many years ago. Whether you’re a recent convert to card games or a seasoned pro player, read on for our ultimate list of classic options that are sure to bring out your competitive spirit!
Card Matching Games for Every Card Matching Expert
Ready to put your matching skills to the test? If you think you have the skills to outsmart your opponents, these classic matching games will keep you on edge!
Slapjack
Slapjack is a fast-paced game that requires quick reflexes and sharp eyes. It’s a great mix between the classic trick-taking game genre and the famous American game called Speed. The peculiarity in this game is what makes it unforgettable: the slapping action when the Jack card appears. Be careful, though, because you need to ensure that the palm of your hand touches the cards, not only your fingers.
The game will start with all players receiving their cards face-down and arranging them into a pile before them. During this time, no one can look at the cards in their hand. After that, the player to the dealer’s left will begin by picking a card from their deck and placing it at the center.
Subsequent players will follow until a Jack comes up, and everyone has to be quick enough to be the first one to slap it. After that, they take the Jack and all the cards beneath it. The game ends once one player takes control of all four Jack cards or if all players but one have zero cards left.
Cribbage
A unique matching card title with complex features is the game of Cribbage. It’s an interesting game that’s unlike the ones on this list. The matching feature comes up during the show phase, which is when the starter card is used to make certain combinations to score points.
The goal is to get a total of 121 points, and it uses a Cribbage board and pegs to keep track of the scores. The dealer gives each player six cards where two cards are set aside to be used later on. The play begins with a card placed on the table face-up while the player reveals its value. The value increases because the subsequent cards are added to the first card’s value, but it should never exceed 31.
If a player can’t play a card anymore without reaching 31, the player before them scores a point. Playing a card that gives a total of 31 or 15 also scores a point. The show phase gives points, depending on the combinations. For instance, any two cards worth 15 scores two points.
Pinochle
A unique game that’s renowned for its incredible complexity is Pinochle. It has two phases in its play: trick-taking and meld-making. Certain meld combinations can give the player some points. What makes it more challenging is the numerous melds you can make, so you must memorize them and choose the best ones that can give you the highest points.
Pinochle game features to remember:
- The bidding process starts first, then meld and trick-taking
- Players must follow suit if they are able
- Players who fail their bid will have it subtracted from their score
- The number of players can be two, three, or four
- Official rules state that the minimum bid is 100 points
One tip for new players is to bid high if you believe your hand can generate many melds. It’s the first thing you should consider if you have plenty of cards from the same suit. It’s also suitable for players who are poor at catching tricks. In such cases, your best bet would be the melds you make!
Egyptian Rat Screw
The next game on our list is Egyptian Rat Screw. It also has the same slapping action as Speed and Slapjack but has additional game rules that make it unique and exciting. The best number of players for Egyptian Rat Screw is three, though more are welcome to play.
The game uses a standard Anglo-American 52-card deck, and the dealer is determined through deck splitting. They will be dealing an equal number of cards to all players one at a time. Players aren’t allowed to view these cards before the play begins.
The player to the dealer’s left will begin the game and play the top card from their pile at the center. The following players must follow in clockwise order until face cards are played, in which the one who played it becomes the challenger, and the next one becomes the challenged. The challenged player has the chance to play an Ace or another face card to win.
As for the slapping action, certain card combinations will trigger it. Some examples include two cards with the same rank, a Joker card being played, or two cards of the same rank with a different card in between.
Kemps
If you’re searching for an enjoyable card game from the matching genre, you shouldn’t miss out on Kemps. Also known as Camps, players in this game are split into two teams who seek to create a hand that consists of a four-of-a-kind. Unlike other partnership games where partners aren’t allowed to communicate, what makes Kemps unique is that teams must utilize teamwork to win.
Basics of Kemps you should be aware of:
- Teams can use a non-verbal signal to indicate that the win condition is satisfied
- Teams are seated opposite of each other
- Players are dealt four cards, one at a time, and the remaining cards are placed at the center as a stockpile
- The dealer will get four cards from the pile and place it face-up at the center of the table
- Players can exchange a card from their hand from the pile one at a time
- Once the signal is done, the player can call “Kemps,” and their partner reveals their hand
Additional rules include calling “Cut,” which is when a team can call if they believe the opposing team has a winning hand. If the opposing team has a four-of-a-kind, the player who called Cut wins the round. Scoring is also based on rounds, and most games last only five rounds. In the end, the first team to reach five points wins.
If you’re new at Kemps, one tip you should try is to exchange cards you don’t need. Apart from that, try to determine the winning cards of your opponents to secure the win. You can do this by observing the kind of cards they’re exchanging.
Become a Card Shark with Some Pro Player Matching Games
Card matching is an excellent card game mechanic if you think you’re great at memorization. Some games have certain card combinations to score points, while others rely on pure luck to make a four-of-a-kind. It depends on what you want to experience with your friends!