Popular Online Card Games

If you're looking for a list of popular online card games, then you've come to the right place. In the following article, I'll be discussing some of the favorite diversions for online card players, as well as providing a few interesting facts that you might not be aware of. The next time the office walls seem to be closing in around you, type the name of one of these popular online card games into Google and watch the daily doldrums fade away.

Cribbage - A unique two-player card game that comes complete with two distinct scoring stages, a non-traditional scoring system, and that crazy cribbage board (used to keep score). Invented in the early 17th century, it's long been the chosen game for men stationed aboard submarines.

Spades - If you're looking to play card games online, give this fun four-player game a try. Players divide up into two teams, with the objective being to score as many points as possible by capturing tricks. But be careful of overbidding, or you might find your score reduced. Teamwork and knowing the tendencies of your partner are a must.

Solitaire - Of all the popular online card games, Solitaire is still king. Even as you're reading, thousand of bleary-eyed office workers around the world are playing this addictive game instead of getting anything done.

Uno - Available offline as well as on, Uno has been entertaining players ever since it was created in 1971. With colorful cards and lots of action, this best-seller is just as fun when played on your PC or Mac. The popularity of the game has continued to grow over the years, and special theme decks have been created for everything from Pirates of the Caribbean to South Park.

Gin - Created in 1909, this two-player card game requires participants to score points by making melds out of cards of the same rank or sequential cards of the same suit. Playing time is usually around 10 or 15 minutes.

Spider Solitaire - It comes with almost every version of Windows, so you know that Spider Solitaire is going to have a following. Unlike the regular version of Solitaire, this one uses two decks of cards (54 cards in ten piles, with the other 50 forming the stock pile). A fun variation for those who've played traditional Solitaire once too often.

Hearts - While it's categorized as a trick-taking card game, the object is Hearts is to force your opponents (usually played with four players partnered up) to catch tricks so you'll have the fewest points at the end of the game. Played with a standard 52-card deck, its origins can be traced back to Spain in the middle of the 18th century.

Euchre - Popularized in the U.S. by Dutch immigrants, Euchre is a trick-taking game played with four players (partnered up) and a 24-card deck. It's also notable for being the game that introduced the joker into modern packs of playing cards.

Pinochle - Usually played by two, three, or four players, Pinochle is a game that combines trick-taking and melding. A 48-card deck is used for play, and skills such as card counting and teamwork are vital. Originally derived from the French card game Bezique.

When you're hunting for popular online card games, keep in mind that numerous variations exist. For example, World Class Solitaire features a globe-trotting theme, while Jungle Gin takes the classic game and places it in a fun jungle setting. With just a few minutes of searching, you're sure to find the card game that's perfect for you.