Rummy, Laughter, and a Well-Worn Deck
Board games, with their big fancy components and colorful artwork, are an amazing way to spend time but I’d be foolish to say that you can’t have just as much fun with a simple deck of 52 cards.
Some of my favorite games—the ones that have stuck with me over the years—are the ones my Nanna taught me when I was younger. We spent countless hours sitting across a small table, playing game after game, and those memories are some of my fondest. I imagine many people will already know the rules of these games, but if you don’t, I highly recommend giving them a try. They’re loads of fun and, for me, carry a lot of nostalgia.
Knockout Whist
Knockout Whist is a variation of Whist, a popular trick-taking game from the 17th century (it even makes an appearance in Around the World in Eighty Days). This version is simple, fast-paced, and works for one to seven players, typically lasting about 10–15 minutes.
How to Play:
- Each player is dealt seven cards, and the remaining deck is set aside. The topmost card of the undealt deck is flipped over to determine the trump suit for the opening round.
- The player to the dealer’s left leads the first trick. Players must follow suit if possible, and the highest card in the suit (or the highest trump) wins the trick.
- The winner of each trick leads the next one, and play continues until all cards have been played.
- At the end of the round, any player who has won zero tricks is eliminated—hence the “knockout” part of the game.
- The next round starts with one fewer card per player, the player who won the most tricks in the previous round picks the trump suit for the next and play continues until only one player remains.
Why I Love It:
This is the game I played most with my Nanna, often just the two of us, playing round after round. The fast pace meant that even if you were knocked out, you didn’t have to wait long for a new game to begin. While luck plays a big role in the cards you’re dealt, it never feels unfair because everyone’s in the same boat. Even now, I still love pulling this one out.
Gin Rummy
Rummy is a classic game with many variations, but in my family, we played a version that we called Gin Rummy (even though it might not be the exact textbook definition). It’s a game of set collection and clever decision-making, and while it works with two players, it truly shines with three or more.
How to Play:
- Each player is dealt seven cards, and the remaining deck is placed in the center.
- On their turn, a player can draw either from the deck or the discard pile. However, if they choose a card from further down in the discard pile, they must also take all the cards on top of it—and they must immediately form a set with the chosen card.
- Sets can be either three or more of a kind (e.g., three Kings) or a run of consecutive cards in the same suit (e.g., 3-4-5 of Diamonds).
- Players can also add to existing sets played by others.
- The round ends when a player has emptied their hand. Players then score points for their completed sets but subtract points for unplayed cards still in their hand. Face cards are worth 10 points, Aces are 11, and number cards are worth their face value.
Why I Love It:
This was one of the first games that really made me think about strategy. Do I go for high-scoring sets, or do I try to get rid of my high-value cards before someone else goes out? I played this a lot with my Nanna, and it’s a game I still introduce to people today.
Dominoes (Sevens)
I only recently discovered that the version of Dominoes we played was actually called Sevens, but my Nanna always just called it Dominoes, and that’s how I still think of it.
How to Play:
- All cards are dealt out, even if some players receive more than others.
- The player with the Seven of Hearts goes first and plays it in the center.
- Players then take turns placing a card of the same suit either one rank higher or lower than a card already in play. Alternatively, they can play another Seven to start a new suit.
- If a player has no valid move, they “Knock,” and play passes to the next person.
- The first player to empty their hand wins.
Why I Love It:
This is a fantastic game for larger groups, but it still works well with just three or four players. There’s a surprising amount of strategy in deciding when to play certain cards and when to hold back. I have so many great memories of playing this with my family, and it’s still a go-to game when we have a deck of cards on hand.
Newmarket
Newmarket is a racing-themed game that my Nanna loved, probably because she was a huge fan of horse racing. I hadn’t played it in years until recently, when I was reminded of it and had to re-learn the rules. It’s a game of betting, luck, and clever play, often played with pennies or Monopoly money.
How to Play:
- Each player is dealt a full hand, with an extra hand placed to the dealer’s left.
- Before looking at their cards, players place bets on the “horses”—a separate set of four cards (Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of different suits) from another deck.
- The player to the dealer’s left may swap their hand with the extra hand or auction it to the other players.
- The player with the Two of Clubs starts the game, playing that card and announcing it. Play doesn’t move in a set order; instead, whoever has the Three of Clubs plays next, then the Four, and so on.
- Play will then continue, with players playing cards of the same suit in ascending order, until no players are able to play the next card in sequence. Play stops, and the last person to play a card begins the run again with their lowest red card.
- Each time there is a break, the person who last played begins again with the lowest card of the opposite coloured suit.
- When a card matching one of the “horses” is played, the player who played it wins the bet money for that card.
- The round ends when a player runs out of cards, and they win the communal pot.
Why I Love It:
This was one we mostly played when more family members were around. It was one of the first games that introduced me to betting mechanics (probably not the best thing to teach a kid, but hey, I loved it). It’s a fun, unpredictable game, and I’d love to play it more often.
My Nanna also taught me how to play Poker and Blackjack (again, maybe not the best lessons for a kid!), and we spent countless hours playing card games together. These games have stuck with me over the years, and I love introducing them to new people whenever I get the chance. Many card games are actually the basis of some modern board games, so you never know what you might find. If you’ve never played any of these, I highly recommend giving them a try—you don’t need a fancy game box to have a great time.
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