Do you have a deck of 54 cards on hand and are you looking to spice up your evenings with friends or family? Don’t panic! A simple deck of cards can give rise to a multitude of exciting games. Discover three classic and timeless card games that only require 52 cards plus 2 jokers.
3 Must-Have Card Games with 54 Cards
1. The Yaniv: Deciphering the rules
Yaniv is a card game that requires observation, strategy and a little bluffing.
- Aim of the game: Be the first to reach 0 points by getting rid of all your cards.
- Deal: Each player is dealt an equal number of cards (usually 7). The remaining cards form the draw pile.
-
Process:
- In turn, each player must discard one or more cards from their hand.
- Cards can be discarded alone or in combinations:
- Suites: Three or more cards of the same suit in ascending or descending order.
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same value.
- Jokers: Jokers are wild cards and can replace any card to form a straight or three of a kind.
- After discarding, the player draws a card from the draw pile or takes the last card from the discard pile.
- Announcing Yaniv: When a player believes that the total value of the cards in his hand is less than or equal to a certain threshold (often 7 or 9 points), he may announce "Yaniv". All players then reveal their hands. The player who announced Yaniv wins the round if he actually has fewer points than the others. Otherwise, he receives a penalty (usually the total value of his cards).
- End of the game: The game ends when a player exceeds a certain number of points (often 200). The player with the fewest points at the end of the game is declared the winner.
Why is it interesting? Yaniv is a fast-moving game that requires taking calculated risks. You need to know when it is wise to announce Yaniv and when it is better to wait an extra turn.
2. Tamalou: A game of memory and bluff
Tamalou is a card game that combines memory, observation and a little luck. The goal is simple: have as few points as possible at the end of the game.
The material
- A deck of 54 cards (the values of the cards are important, but not their color)
The process
- Distribution: Each player is dealt an equal number of cards (often 5 or 7).
- Card Layout: Each player places his cards face down in front of him. He should only see the first two cards.
-
The game begins:
- The goal: The goal is to get rid of cards by placing them on a central discard pile.
- Discard pile: A player places one of his visible cards on the discard pile.
- Pairings: The following players must place a card of the same value as the one on the discard pile. If several players have the same card, the fastest wins.
- Jokers: Jokers are wild cards and can replace any card.
-
Announce Tamalou: When you think that the sum of the values of your remaining cards is less than a certain threshold (often 5), you can announce "Tamalou".
- Verification: All players reveal their cards. If your announcement is correct (less than 5 points) and you have fewer points than the others, you win the round. Otherwise, you receive a penalty (often 10 points).
- End of the round: The round ends when a player has no more cards. Each player's points are then counted.
- End of the game: The game ends when one of the players reaches a certain number of points (for example, 100).
Key points to remember:
- Memory: It is important to memorize the values of the cards you have seen and those that have been discarded.
- Speed: Be the fastest to place your cards when it is your turn.
- Bluffing: Don't hesitate to bluff by announcing "Tamalou" even if you are not sure you have the fewest points.
- Variations: There are many variations of Tamalou. For example, you can change the threshold to announce "Tamalou" or add special rules.
Concrete example:
Let's say you have the cards 5, 7, 9 and Ace. You start by putting down the 5. The next player puts down a 7. On your turn, you can put down your 9. And so on. If you think that the sum of your last two cards (Ace and the card you draw) will be less than 5, you can announce "Tamalou".
Why is it interesting? Tamalou is a game that combines strategy, memory and a bit of luck. It is perfect for having a good time with family or friends.
3. The Battle: A classic revisited
Battle is a very popular card game that is usually played by two players. The goal is simple: win all of your opponent's cards .
The material
- A deck of 54 cards (the values of the cards are important, from Ace (the highest) to 2 (the lowest))
The process
- Distribution: The cards are shuffled and distributed equally between the two players. Each player forms a pile of cards face down in front of him.
-
The game begins:
- Pairs: Each player simultaneously turns over the top card of their pile.
- The winner: The player with the highest card wins the two cards which he places at the bottom of his pile.
- Tie: If both cards have the same value, it is a "war". Both players place a card face down, then a card face up. The player with the highest face up card wins all the cards in play. If it is still a tie, the game starts over until one player has a higher card.
- End of the game: The game ends when one player has collected all the cards.
Key points to remember:
- Card hierarchy: The Ace is the highest card, followed by the King, Queen, Jack, then cards numbered from 10 to 2.
- War: In case of a tie, the war can last several rounds. You must stay calm and not lose your concentration.
- Strategy: Although this is a game of chance, there is still a small element of strategy. For example, if you have several cards of the same value, you can try to play them one after the other to increase your chances of winning.
Concrete example:
Let's say you have an Ace and your opponent has a King. You each turn over your card at the same time. Since the Ace is stronger than the King, you win both cards.
Why is it interesting? Battle is a simple and fast game that can be played at any age. It is a great way to pass the time and relax.
Variants:
- Joker Battle: Jokers can be considered Aces, or they can have a higher value than the Ace.
- Battle with more players: It is possible to play Battle with more than two players, but this may make the game longer.
What are your favorite card games? Share your tips and variations in the comments!
