Heated battles of wits and mind games! A collection of card games for three players
Playing cards are a familiar toy that many of us have been used to since childhood.
However, when it’s time to play, you might find yourself thinking, “We always play the same games—I’d like to try something new!”
In this article, I’ll introduce a variety of card games.
This time, I’ve especially gathered games that can be played with three people, so if any of them sound fun, give them a try with your friends or family!
Get fired up with mind games and psychological battles! A collection of three-player card games (1–10)
tycoonNEW!
In Daifugō, you play higher cards from your hand than those on the table, and ranks are determined by the order in which players run out of cards.
The highest rank is Daifugō (Grand Millionaire), and the lowest rank is Daihinmin (Grand Pauper).
In the next round, there’s a rule where the Daihinmin must give their strongest card to the Daifugō.
Because of this, people often think that if you lose the first game, you can never win again—but there’s also a rule called “Revolution” that reverses card strength.
If you’re overconfident with only strong cards, a Revolution can flip the power and make you lose badly, which is why it’s a game you can enjoy over and over without getting bored!
pokerNEW!
Let me introduce a simple way to play poker.
First, thoroughly shuffle a standard 52-card deck and deal five cards to each player.
Players hold their cards so others can’t see them and choose which cards to discard.
After discarding the selected cards face down, draw the same number of new cards from the deck.
Repeat this process three times to build your hand, then everyone reveals their cards at the end.
The player with the strongest hand wins.
Enjoy the strategy of deciding which cards to discard as you play.
Doubt
Among card games, “Doubt” (also known as “Cheat” or “BS”) is a fun game where you can enjoy quick thinking and psychological battles.
You play by secretly holding your hand and placing cards in turn, but when it’s time to play a number you don’t have, you have to lie.
The hard part is making sure your lie doesn’t get caught.
While reading your opponents’ expressions and words, you bide your time to declare “Doubt”! That moment is pretty thrilling.
When you play with friends or family, it’s sure to get everyone excited! It’s perfect for those looking for a lively game that gets your brain working while you have a great time together.
Old MaidNEW!
In Old Maid, the person holding the Joker at the end is the loser, but in Jiji-nuki you remove one card from the shuffled deck, so you don’t know which card will be the Joker until the very end.
Even people who aren’t good at keeping a poker face can enjoy it, and it has a different kind of thrill from Old Maid that makes it exciting.
Since the card that becomes the Joker changes every game, be sure to play it repeatedly.
The rules are the same as Old Maid: remove pairs of the same rank from your hand, then draw from each other to make new pairs and reduce the cards in your hand.
Go FishNEW!
This is a game where you use your hand to make pairs and gradually reduce your cards.
First, deal 7 cards to each player from a shuffled deck.
If you have any number pairs in your hand, place them on the table.
Decide the turn order with rock-paper-scissors, and the game begins! Starting with the first player, ask the second player for the number you want to pair from your hand, like “Do you have any 5s?” If they do, take them, make a pair, and place it on the table, then choose anyone you like and ask for a number again.
If the other player doesn’t have the card, they declare “Go Fish,” so draw one card from the deck and pass the turn to the second player.
Repeat this, and the first person to run out of cards in their hand wins!
Splash
Among card games, “Dobon” delivers a thrilling mix of strategy and psychology.
Players take turns matching the number or suit of the face-up card with cards from their hand, and whoever runs out of cards first wins.
But here’s where it gets exciting: if the total value of the cards in your hand matches the card on the table and you shout “Dobon,” you can dump your entire hand at once! This can be the turning point of the game.
The real charm of Dobon is the rush you get from crafting your strategy while reading your opponents.
Give it a try with friends or family—it’s guaranteed to get the party going!
Ikkyu-sanNEW!
After shuffling the cards well, lay them face down in a circle.
Next, decide the order with rock-paper-scissors or similar.
Starting with the first player, choose any one card, flip it face up, and place it in the center.
When you place it, say “Ikkyu-san.” If the card you reveal is a 1, 9, or 3, quickly place your hand on the card.
The last person to put their hand on it takes all the cards in the center and keeps them.
Continue the game, repeating until the cards run out.
The player with the fewest cards in hand at the end wins.