Omar Sharif

The variety of card games means that you can find one to suit most any situation. Most card players are familiar with some type of poker, though they may need to be reminded of how the hands are ranked. You can play some card games as long as all the players are happy to continue; others end at a particular score, and all are made more enjoyable when players adhere to card-game etiquette.

One reason for canasta’s widespread popularity is its use of wild cards, which make the game high scoring and unpredictable. Canasta is also one of the few partnership games (other than Bridge and Euchre) where the players can work in unison, although it also functions perfectly well as a two- or three-handed game.

Canasta has some unique rules, but it's still a fun, competitive card game. Just like other aspects of the game, there are special rules that pertain to winning (or finishing) a Canasta game. Here's what you need to know to end a game. Going out You can’t get rid of all your cards and go out until your team makes a Canasta.

Gin rummy is very similar to regular rummy, but gin has some additional wrinkles that make it a more interesting and challenging game.To play gin rummy, you need the following: Two players: If more than two people want to play, you may want to send the extras out for ice cream or a walk. A standard deck of 52 cards; no jokers are allowed in the gin house.

At the end of a hand of Canasta, as soon as one player goes out, the scoring starts. Add up the points for the bonuses and melds and subtract the negative points from that score.The bonuses you may be eligible for are as follows: You get a 100-point bonus for going out. You get a 200-point bonus for going out concealed, which means going out without first putting down any melds.

Old Maid is a card game that allows you to keep card strategy and psychology simple, making it an ideal game for younger children. All you need to play Old Maid is the following: At least three players: There is no real upper limit, if you have enough decks of cards. One or more standard decks of 52 cards, with three queens removed: Use a single deck of cards for up to six players.

The object of Canasta is to pick up cards and fit them into groupings. You score points for the groupings, or melds, so the more melds, the merrier. The first team to score 5,000 points wins, and if both teams hit 5 grand on the same hand, the team with the higher score wins. Making melds Melds are combinations of three to seven or more cards of the same rank.

Discarding is a critical part of how you play Canasta; if the discard pile grows large, one false discard can be disastrous. Err on the side of caution by throwing out what you’re sure your opponents don’t want. Do so by watching what they throw away and by what they don’t pick up from the discard pile. Unfreezing the deck with the initial meld The discard pile is automatically frozen for your side at the start of the game until your team makes its initial meld; that does not mean you can’t use it — but you can only use it under specific circumstances.

Euchre is an excellent card game, simple in concept but with a high degree of subtlety in the play. The game also offers myriad variations, because it can be played with any number of players and as a long or short game. To play Euchre, you need the following: Four playersA standard deck of 52 cards: You don't need all the cards, however.