A card game for two players
The classic pastime, playing cards—every household is sure to have at least one deck, right? They’re easy to play with, so some of you might even use them during work breaks or after school! They’re also great for killing time while traveling or when you can’t go outside—having a deck instantly livens things up.
In this article, we’ll introduce simple, easy card games you can play with two people.
We’ve carefully selected a wide range of games that even small children can enjoy, so you’re sure to find something that makes you think, “I want to try that!” and will get everyone excited.
- [Easy] Recommended Playing Card Games Kids Can Enjoy Too
- [For 2 Players] Easy Pen-and-Paper Time-Killing Game
- Recommended games for two people that you can enjoy without any equipment
- Recommended for couples and married partners! A roundup of board games for two
- Brain-teasing game roundup
- Perfect for killing time! Games you can play with two people.
- For two players: from games without equipment to tabletop games and apps
- Types of playing cards and how to play
- A card game for three players. Enjoy mind games and psychological battles!
- Solitaire card games you can play alone [single-player]
- Games for two people to enjoy. A roundup of party games that liven up drinking gatherings.
- Fun two-player games recommended that you can play using conversation only
- [For Kids] Fun Either Way: A Collection of Rock-Paper-Scissors Game Ideas
Simple, Casual Trump Card Game Special (1–10)
High & Low
High & Low is a game where you guess whether the next card will be higher or lower than the one you predict.
You can tell from that description how simple it is.
The winner is the player who ends up with more cards.
The rules use a standard 52-card deck without jokers, with King as the highest and Ace as the lowest.
Deal all the cards evenly.
The dealer places one card face up on the table, and the opponent places one card face down.
The opponent then declares whether their card is higher or lower than the dealer’s card; if the declaration is correct, they win the card.
It’s easy to learn and perfect for a quick pastime!
Sevens (card game)
Sevens is a game that doesn’t require much thinking, so it’s great for killing time while traveling or whenever you have a spare moment.
To start the Sevens card game, you first place the 7s on the table.
Using each 7 as a starting point, you line up cards of the same suit in order, placing the 6 below and the 8 above, and continuing in sequence.
If it’s your turn but you don’t have a card that can be placed next, you must pass; if you pass four times, you lose.
The first player to run out of cards wins—simple as that.
It’s easy enough that even young children can play against their grandpa.
Page One
Page One is a simple card game where players compete by playing cards of the same suit and comparing their strength.
Once you try it, you’ll find it’s quite similar to UNO.
It’s perfect for killing a bit of time.
Each player is dealt four cards face up, and the player with the initiative places a card on the table to start.
The others then play cards from their hand that match the suit of the card on the table; if they don’t have a matching suit, they must keep drawing from the deck until they get one.
The first player to run out of cards wins.
However, when a player is down to two cards, they must say “Page One,” or they’ll have to take the cards from that round.
It’s a game with a strong element of luck.
Simple & Casual Playing Card Game Showcase (11–20)
41
A two-player game called 41, played with a standard 52-card deck without jokers.
Each player is dealt 6 cards, and the remaining cards form a draw pile; flip the top card of the pile and place it face up on the table.
After deciding who goes first (the dealer), the non-dealer leads, and the players take turns playing one card at a time.
If the sum of the face-up table card and the card you play reaches 1, 11, 21, or 31, you score 1 point; if it reaches 41, you score 2 points.
Play continues until both players would exceed 42 no matter which card they play, at which point the round ends.
Because of the number of cards, you can play 4 rounds, and the winner is determined by the total points.
By the way, face cards each have special effects, adding a layer of strategy to this card game.
Neurasthenia (shinkeisuijaku)
Concentration is a classic card game with playing cards that almost everyone has played at least once.
You flip over one card at a time, and if it matches the number of a card you turned over earlier, you get to keep the pair.
The player who collects the most cards wins.
Because it tests your memory, remembering the numbers of previously revealed cards makes it easier to find matches and leads to victory.
It’s a game that demands so much memory it could wear your nerves out, but the rules are simple and straightforward, making it a timeless card game enjoyed by everyone from children to seniors.
Old Maid
Jiji-nuki is a card game that can be played by two or more people.
Its rules are almost the same as the classic Old Maid.
In Old Maid, the Joker is used as the “Baba,” but in Jiji-nuki, a randomly chosen card is used as the “Jiji.” Because of this, you won’t know which card is the Jiji until the very last card remains.
The game proceeds without knowing whether you have the Jiji in your hand, which makes it extremely thrilling!
Trump Tower
A delicately built house of cards that wouldn’t be surprising if it collapsed.
Once it’s finished, kids are sure to be thrilled.
With a few simple tricks, you can build it without the cards toppling.
Use these tips to stand the cards up and try making a card tower.
First, build the base—the first tier—with playing cards.
Use your fingers to form it: for example, pinch a triangle made from two cards with your middle finger and thumb, or support a third card with your index finger.
For the second tier, place pre-assembled sections on top of the first tier.
This way, you won’t put pressure on the first tier, making it less likely to collapse.
Do the same for the third tier: shape it first, then set it onto the second.
Once you can build three tiers, try adding a fourth and fifth, and keep going!
