Top 7 Card Games for Two Players: Our Favorite Picks for Hours of Fun

Are you looking for a fun way to spend an evening with your partner or friend? Look no further than playing card games for two players!

Playing cards has been a popular pastime for centuries, and there are countless variations of games to choose from. In this guide, we'll explore seven great playing card games for two players.

Spite and Malice

Spite and Malice is a two-player card game that is also known as Cat and Mouse. The game is played with two standard decks of 52 cards each, with jokers removed. The objective of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of their stockpile cards.

At the beginning of the game, each player is dealt 20 cards face down into a pile in front of them, which represents their "stockpile." Each player also draws five cards to their hand on their first turn, which are their "hand cards." The remaining cards are placed in a draw pile between the players.

Players take turns trying to play as many cards as they can onto one of the four center "build" piles. The build piles are started with an ace and continue up to queen. The game continues until one player has played all their stockpile cards into the middle.

Find the complete rules guide for how to play on our How To Play Spite and Malice page.

Spite and Malice is a fun and challenging game that requires both strategy and luck. It can be played in about 30 minutes and is a great game for two players who enjoy fast-paced, competitive games.

Gin Rummy

Gin Rummy is a two-player card game that is played with a standard 52-card deck. The goal of the game is to score points by forming sets of three or more cards of the same rank or runs of three or more cards in the same suit. The game is played over several hands, and the first player to reach 100 points (or another predetermined score) wins.

At the start of the game, each player is dealt ten cards. The remaining cards are placed in a draw pile, with the top card turned face-up to start the discard pile. The non-dealer goes first, and the play alternates between the players.

On each turn, the player has the option to draw a card from the draw pile or take the top card from the discard pile. The player then must discard one card face-up onto the discard pile. The goal is to form sets or runs in your hand by swapping out cards with the discard pile until you have a winning hand.

Find the complete rules guide for how to play on our How To Play Gin Rummy page.

Gin Rummy is a classic and enjoyable game that requires both strategy and luck. It is relatively easy to learn and can be played in about 30 minutes, making it a great game for two players of all skill levels.

Kings in the Corner

Kings in the Corner is a popular two player card game that is also known as Kings Corners or King's Corner. It is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, and the objective of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of their cards.

Each player is dealt seven cards, and the remaining cards are placed in the middle as a draw pile. Four cards are flipped up, one on each side of the draw pile.

To start a turn, a player draws a card from the draw pile and then plays as many cards as they can onto the middle face up cards. Cards are played in decreasing sequence with the opposite color suit. The kings start a new pile off the corners of the middle deck. Play continues until a player gets rid of all the cards in their hand.

Find the complete rules guide for how to play on our How To Play Kings in the Corner page.

Kings in the Corner is a fun and engaging game suitable fora player of all ages. The game typically lasts about 30 minutes, making it a great choice for a quick and entertaining game night option.

Speed

Speed is a fast-paced two-player card game that requires quick reflexes and sharp observation skills. The objective of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of their cards.

To play Speed, you will need a standard 52-card deck. Before the game begins, the deck is shuffled and each player is dealt 20 cards face down in two piles. One pile of 15 cards stays face down as a “stockpile.” The second pile of five cards is picked up as the players hand.

The remaining cards a setup in the middle of the players in a line of piles of five cards, one card, one card, and five cards (left to right).

The goal is to get rid of all the cards in your hand by playing them in the center, one at a time, onto the two center cards. You can play a card if it is one number higher or one number lower than the card in the middle. The first player to get rid of all their cards yells "Speed!" and wins the game.

Find the complete rules guide for how to play on our How To Play Speed page.

Speed is a fun and fast-paced game that can be played in just a few minutes. It's a great game to play with a friend or family member when you have a few minutes to spare!

Casino

Casino is a classic two player card game that is played with a standard 52-card deck. The objective of the game is to score points by capturing cards from the playing surface.

At the start of the game, each player is dealt four cards, and four cards are placed face-up in the center of the playing surface. These cards are known as the "table cards" and can be captured by the players during the game.

On each turn, a player can play one card from their hand onto the playing surface, trying to match the rank of one or more of the table cards. For example, if there is a six of hearts on the table, the player can play any six card from their hand. If the player cannot play a card, they must place a card from their hand and add it to the playing surface.

The first player with 21 points is declared the winner.

Find the complete rules guide for how to play on our How To Play Casino page.

Casino is a strategic and engaging game that is suitable for players of all ages. The game can be played in about 30 minutes, making it a great option for a quick game night.

California Jack

California Jack is a two player card game that is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. The objective of the game is to score points by capturing cards from the playing surface.

At the beginning of the game, each player is dealt five cards, and one card is placed face-up in the center of the playing surface. This card is known as the "starter card" and is used to determine the suit that is trump for the round.

California Jack is a trick-taking card game. Players will each play a card from their hands to form a trick. The player of the highest ranking card wins the trick. Once all the cards have been played from the players’ hands, the round is over.

Points are scored based on the cards taken in tricks during the round. Players score a point for capturing the Ace of trumps, 2 of trumps, Jack of trumps, and for getting the most total card points. The game continues until a player reaches a predetermined amount of game points.

Find the complete rules guide for how to play on our How To Play California Jack page.

California Jack is a strategic and entertaining game that requires players to pay close attention to the cards that have been played and to make strategic decisions about which cards to play and when. It can be played in about 30 minutes and is suitable for players of all ages.

99

99 is a two player card game that is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. The objective of the game is to avoid being the player to cause the card total to go over 99.

At the beginning of the game, each player is dealt three cards, and the rest of the cards are placed in a draw pile.

On each turn, a player can play one card from their hand onto the discard pile. The player must add the value of the card they are playing to the value of the cards on the discard pile. The goal is to keep the running total at 99 or less.

Some cards are special cards that can create some excitement during the game play.

The player that causes the running total to exceed 99 loses a “life.” The first player to lose three lives loses the game.

Find the complete rules guide for how to play on our How To Play 99 page.

99 is a fun and fast-paced game that requires players to think strategically about which cards to play and when. It can be played in about 15-20 minutes and is suitable for players of all ages.

Playing card games for two players is a great way to spend time quality time with a friend or loved one. With the seven card games for two players outlined in this guide, you have a great starting point to explore the world of card games.

So grab a deck of cards and a friend, and start playing! Who knows, you may discover your new favorite game.