Are you tired of the same old card games? Do you yearn for nostalgia that can only come from classic trick-taking card games? Well, we’ve got just the solution for you! All over the world, people are going online to join virtual lobbies and game rooms to play their favorite old-age cards. Whether it’s Hearts, Pinochle, or Oh Hell – these timeless classics remain as popular and enjoyable as ever!
In this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look at some of the most beloved trick-taking card games of all time, outlining tips on how to master them and providing all sorts of details on where knowledgeable players can go online if they want to try these favorites. So turn on your PC or grab your mobile device, let’s get ready to explore some awesomely addictive classic titles today!
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Unforgettable and Timeless Trick-Taking Card Games
If you prefer playing alone or want to hone your skills, it’s best to play against an AI or strangers online. Fortunately, the card games below have digital versions that allow you to practice your trick-taking skills before challenging your friends and family. Let’s learn more about them below:
Oh Hell
The first game on our list is called Oh Hell. It’s a progressive card game that can be played by three to seven players and uses a standard deck of 52 cards with Aces high and 2s low. The goal is to capture the exact number of tricks bid.
The number of cards for each player depends on how many are playing. For three to five players, they get ten cards each. Six players get eight cards, and seven players get seven cards each. The remaining cards become a stockpile and are placed in the middle. The top card is flipped over and placed on top of the pile. It will become the trump suit for the round.
The player to the dealer’s left begins the game and will go clockwise, and they each decide how many tricks they can get. There are no passes, but zero bids are allowed. Afterwards, the same player will lead the first trick and all players follow suit. The player with the highest card of the leading suit wins the trick.
Spades
A traditional card game invented in the 1930s is Spades, which has become an all-time favorite by Americans since then. It brings a balance of being challenging and easy to learn as well. The goal is to win at least the number of tricks bid. Since it’s played by four players in two teams, it’s best to communicate and strategize with your partner.
How to play Spades:
- Each player receives 13 cards, and the bidding takes place.
- The lowest bid is one, and all players must make a bid.
- Players must achieve a total number of points to win, usually 500.
- The player on the dealer’s left begins by leading the trick, and subsequent players must follow suit.
- If players can’t play a card from the same suit, they can lead with a trump or discard.
- The highest card of the leading suit or trump suit wins and will lead the next trick.
The play continues until none of the players have cards left, and there are 13 tricks in each hand. Spades can only be played if it was previously played or if the lead player only has Spades in their hand. To understand the game better, play online Spades so that you can quickly memorize its mechanics.
Pinochle
Although Pinochle is designed for two players, this timeless game makes up for its action-packed gameplay. It combines melding and trick-taking, which can be confusing to some players. It also uses a 48-card Pinochle deck, and the objective is to score the value taken on tricks and melding card combinations having values in points.
Each player gets 12 cards, dealt three or four at a time. The next card becomes the trump suit, and the remaining ones are placed in the middle as the stockpile. A non-dealer leads the play, and the winner of each trick leads the next. If a trump is played, it wins against the non-trump card unless a higher trump is played. After each trick, a card is drawn from the pile in the middle to restore the 12 cards in the player’s hands.
Melding is done when a player wins a trick and before they draw a card from the pile. Some rules are followed, such as only one meld per turn, and at least one card must be taken from the hand and placed on the table for each meld. Although a card has been used in a meld, it can still be played to a trick as if it’s in the holder’s hand, and it can’t be used in a meld again once played in a trick.
Hearts
If you wish to play trick-taking card games with a twist, Hearts should be on your list. It follows the same trick-taking gameplay as the other games on this list, but the goal is to avoid scoring tricks with unwanted cards so that you don’t get any penalty points. Unwanted cards are those belonging to the Hearts suit.
How to play Hearts:
- Each player gets 13 cards, and the player who holds the 2 Clubs leads the trick.
- All players must follow suit, and the highest card wins.
- Unwanted Hearts have penalty points, which is one point for every card.
- Players can play another suit if they don’t have the same suit as the leading card.
- The game ends when a player reaches 100 penalty points.
One strategy for new players is to play all high cards as soon as possible to avoid winning tricks that contain unwanted cards. Another is to get all Heart cards and the Queen of Spades (for Black Lady) to get zero penalty points and give the opponents 26 points instead.
Enjoy the Digital Versions of the Best Trick-Taking Card Games
With technology being the norm nowadays, it’s easier to access digital versions of classic card games and enjoy them with friends or strangers online. It’s a great way to practice and sharpen your skills while having fun simultaneously! If you want to become a pro at trick-taking, the games above should be the first games you must try! The best part is they’re available online!
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