The top 10 Card Games played

The following list represents the “Top 10″ card games played in North America. The most popular card game is Solitaire. Many of these games have European or South American roots, and were brought to North America in the late 1700s or during the 1800s. Some casino and children’s card games also appear on the list.

1. Bridge- 1895, New York City:
This truly American classic evolved from the game of Whist. It was popularized in the early 1900s and was modernized in the mid 1920s into a standard game, “Contract Bridge.” Pioneers such as Vanderbilt, Culbertson, Goren, Jacoby, Blackwood, Stayman and Sheinwold (to mention a few) helped to establish the game. The governing body for this game is the ACBL (American Contract Bridge League) in Memphis, Tennessee.

2. Canasta- 1940, Montevideo, Uruguay:
Here is a game that was invented in Uruguay in the late 1930s, with Official Rules finalized in early 1940. It is noteworthy that Canasta was the “rage” in the United States for five years (1950 to 1954), and overtook Bridge for a short time! By the end of that decade, its popularity waned, however, it still has a sizeable following.

3. Cribbage- 1630, London:
This venerable two-player classic was created by an Englishman, Sir John Suckling (1609 to 1642). His story is fascinating, and worth taking some time to research. Cribbage is a truly great game and the perfect challenge for two players. The governing body is the ACC (American Cribbage Congress), founded in 1980 by Joseph Petrus Wergin, Nick Pond and several others in Raleigh, North Carolina.

4. Euchre- 1750, Alsace, France:
The orgins of Euchre are debated, to this day. The Joker in a deck of cards is linked to this game. Euchre does have European roots, German and French. It was introduced to America during the late 1700s and was immensely popular from 1850 to 1900. Today, Euchre is played primarily in the Midwest and Eastern Canada.

5. Hearts- 1740, Madrid:
Hearts was linked from a game called “Reversis,” which was played in Spain during the 1700s. When it was brought to America in the early 1800s, it grew slowly, but steadily. The Queen of Spades feature was added several decades later, and other modifications, such as passing three cards and “Shooting the Moon” became standard rules as the years passed. Hearts is also a very popular children’s game.

6. Oh Hell!- 1900, Philadelphia:
This delightful card game was created right after the turn of the last century. It combines the best features of trump games and the ability to calculate the trick taking aspect of each hand. Boxed sets (interestingly enough, with bright red packaging) were manufactured in the 1950s. This game has been revitalized during the past 25 years, with the invention of “Wizard” by Ken Fisher of Canada (U.S. Games Company; Stamford, Connecticut). The most notable feature of Wizard is the addition of eight more cards to the standard Oh Hell! deck.

7. Phase 10- 1982, Indianapolis:
Modern card games have one very distinct aspect – we know the exact year they were created, as well as the name of the person who designed the game. Phase 10 (manufactured by Fundex Games of Indianapolis) was created by Ken Johnson. It is similar to “London Rummy.” What makes Phase 10 work is its progressive “building” aspect, and the strategy/skill of play. It is an easy game to learn, and another one of those good card games for children, too.

8. Pinochle- 1900, New York City:
This classic game has been around for more than 100 years, having evolved from the French game “Bezique.” Variations abound, including single deck and three-handed games. The most popular version of Pinochle is double deck partnership, and this is the game that is most frequently played online and at “live” events. The skill is in the bidding and the play of the hand.

9. Poker- 1650, Germany & Five-Card Draw, Seven-Card Stud- 1780, France:
Most card players become familiar with Poker when they are very young. This game has been featured in books, movies and more recently on television. Who could ever forget “Maverick?” How about the “Dead Man’s Hand” (two aces and two eights)? Poker has European roots and was brought to the United States in the 1820s and played in New Orleans. Poker was hugely popular in the riverboat days and in the Old West. It still remains a casino favorite in various forms such as Pai-Gow, Let It Ride and Caribbean Stud.

10. Poker (Part II) Texas Hold’em- 1970, Las Vegas:
Here is another one of those card games (in this case, a variation) where the exact year of creation is unknown. The World Series of Poker started in Las Vegas with a small field of 30 players, with notables such as “Amarillo Slim,” Johnny Moss, Doyle Brunson and ****y Baldwin. Now Hold’em is a staple on TV, with the “World Series of Poker” and the “World Poker Tour,” to name just two. Hold’em is different than the stud variations. There are two hold cards and five “community” cards included. Betting can be “all in” or “limit” raises, depending on the rules for that game.