Are you looking to level up your game night or spice up your family gatherings? Maybe you’ve always enjoyed playing cards but want to switch from the same old Go Fish and UNO. Well, look no further because this blog post is just for you. We’re diving into the world of trick-taking card games – a category that has been around for centuries and continues to be a favorite among players of all ages.
Whether you’re new to trick-taking or are familiar with it but looking for fresh options, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to experience the most popular and beginner-friendly trick-taking card games that bring hours of entertainment and friendly competition!
Check Out the Most Played Trick-Taking Card Games for Newbies
Trick-taking refers to gathering tricks based on a set of rules. Some games require players to take as many tricks as possible, while others limit players to the number of tricks they initially bid. They may have differing rules and objectives, but they all revolve around the basic concept of taking tricks. Below are some of the most popular choices every beginner should try:
Hearts
A unique trick-taking card game where players aim to score the lowest points is Hearts. It has the same trick-taking mechanic as other games but with a twist. The goal is to avoid taking Hearts and the dreaded Queen of Spades since they’re equivalent to one and 13 penalty points, respectively.
The game begins with all players receiving 13 cards (in a four-player game). After that, the holder of the 2 Clubs makes the opening lead. The next players must follow suit, but if the player doesn’t have a card from the same suit, they can discard other cards. The Queen of Spades or Hearts can’t be discarded if there are no Clubs when the first trick is led.
The winner of the trick is the player who discarded the highest card of the leading suit, and they will lead the next round. If you think you’re losing, try to collect all 13 Heart cards and the Queen of Spades to score zero and give your opponents 26 penalty points.
Spades
The next game on our list is one of the easiest and most popular trick-taking games of its generation, called Spades. Its straightforward gameplay and easy-to-understand mechanics have made it a favorite among players from the 1940s until today. The game’s trump is always Spades, and the game incorporates bidding before the play phase.
How to play Spades:
- Spades is played by four players in partnerships.
- Players bid individually on the number of tricks they think they can take, and their goal is to achieve that amount.
- After bidding, the highest bidder chooses a card to start the game, and players must follow suit if possible.
- Tricks are won when the player plays the highest card from the led suit.
- The trump (Spades) outranks all other suits, and it’s always the winning suit.
- Points are scored by hand, and the team with the most points (up to 500 points) wins.
Beginners should hone their trick-taking skills by playing against AI opponents on free Spades platforms like Spades.co! You can practice until you think you’re ready to challenge your friends.
Euchre
For those who are already familiar with Spades but want something with a twist, you might be interested in Euchre. What makes it stand out is that the standard deck is stripped to make a deck of 32 cards, 28 cards, and 24 cards, with some Euchre variations adding a Joker.
The goal is to win at least three tricks out of five. Winning all five tricks is called a “March.” The game begins with the dealer giving all players five cards; the rest are placed in the center. The top card is flipped up to determine the trump suit should all players choose to accept it.
The play is led by the player to the dealer’s left. All players must follow suit, or they can play a trump or discard other cards if they can’t. The highest card from the led suit wins the trick, or the highest trump if a trump was played. The winner leads the next round.
Oh Hell
Oh Hell is a unique trick-taking card game that comes in many other funny or wacky names, such as Oh Well, Oh Heck, or Oh Sh*t. Three to seven players can play it, and the number of cards dealt to the players depends on how many joined. The top card of the remaining deck becomes the trump suit.
How to play Oh Hell:
- The game begins with each player estimating or predicting how many tricks they can take (also called bidding).
- Additional points are awarded to players who can complete their bids.
- The player to the dealer’s left begins, and all players must follow suit.
- The highest card from the leading suit wins the trick if there are no trump cards.
- The highest trump card wins the trick if it contains trump cards.
- The winner will take the cards used in the trick.
- The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Overall, Oh Hell is relatively easy to learn and play, but it’s a game that requires strategic thinking and planning. If you’re looking for a game that’s easier than the usual trick-taking games, then Oh Hell might be perfect for you.
Pinochle
Last but not least is Pinochle. It mixes melding and trick-taking mechanics, though it’s not as difficult as it seems. It simply means there are two ways you can score points. As long as you know the different types of combinations to meld, you can get higher scores, especially if trick-taking is a bit out of your forte.
The game can be played by two players or four players in two teams. Each will receive 12 cards in the four-player variation, and the game starts with the bidding phase, where they will bid on how many points they think they can collect. However, it’s essential for a team to win at least the number of points they bid, or it will be subtracted from their total points.
Each meld has specific values, so it’s best to know them before playing. For example, Jack’s Around is all Jacks from all suits, which is equivalent to 40 points. Meanwhile, a Queen’s Around is all Queens from all suits, and it’s equal to 60 points.
Choose Your Trick-Taking Card Game Today!
Finding the best trick-taking card game for beginners can be daunting with so many options. However, our list will give you an idea of which card game you should try first. From the concise gameplay of Spades to the unique mechanics of Oh Hell, there’s a game for everyone to enjoy. So, gather your friends and family and prepare for exciting card game nights! Let the games begin! Happy playing, and enjoy!
