List of card games by number of cards explained

This list arranges card games by the number of cards used, part of the aim being to answer the question "what games can I play with these cards?"

Only games played with traditional European playing cards are listed. Those played with cards from other regions are not included, nor are proprietary card games since each game comes with a bespoke pack and the question is not relevant.

Where two or more packs are listed, games may be predominantly played with just one pack as indicated at the relevant article. The composition is indicated in brackets thus: (suits x cards) e.g. (4 x AKQJT) means 4 suits each containing the Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten. The key to suits is: F = French-suited cards, G = German-suited cards, I = Italian-suited cards, Sp = Spanish-suited cards and Sw = Swiss-suited cards.

Games played with classic packs

Games played with 16 cards

French (4 x AQJT) packs:[1]

Games played with 20 cards

French (4 x AKQJT) or German (4 x AKOUT) packs:

Games played with 24 cards

German packs (4 x AKOUT9):

Games played with 28 cards

French packs (4 x AKQJT97):

Games played with 32 cards

French (4 x AKQJT987) or German (4 x AKOUT987) packs:

Games played with 33 cards

German (William Tell or Double German) packs (4 x AKOUT987 plus Weli):

Games played with 36 cards

Games played with 36 cards may be of considerable antiquity as the standard German card pack reduced to 32 cards during the 19th century (see Dummett 1980). Several of these games are attempts to play the Tarot game of Grosstarock with standard French- or German-suited cards.

French (4 x AKQJT9876), German (4 x AKOUT9876) or Swiss (4x AKOUB9876) packs:

Games played with 40 cards

Italian (4 x RCF765432A), Spanish packs (4 x A3RCF76542) or shortened Tarock (Sküs XXI-IIII + I KQCJT KQCJA) packs:

Games played with 42 cards

Shortened Tarock pack (Skiz XXI-I KQCJT KQCJA):

Games played with 48 cards

French (AKQJ98765432) or Swiss (KOUB98765432) packs of 48 cards:

Games played with 48 cards (2 x 24)

French or German pack (2 packs each of 4 x AKOUT7):

Games played with 52 cards

French-suited packs (4 x AKQJT98765432):

Games played with 54 cards

Shortened Tarot/Tarock packs (Sküs XXI-I KQCVT987 KQCV1234):

Games played with 58 cards

French (Zwicker) packs (4 x AKQJT98765432 + 6 Jokers)

Games played with 62 cards

78-card Swiss 1JJ Tarot pack minus the 1-4 of Swords and Batons and 7-10 of Cups and Coins:

62-card Tarocco Bolognese pack

Games played with 66 cards

78-card French-suited tarot pack minus the 3 lowest cards of each suit:

Games played with 78 cards

Tarot/Tarock pack (Fool 21–1 KQCJT98765432A KQCJA23456789T):

Games played with 97 cards

Minchiate pack (40 trumps, Fool and 4 suits of 14 cards):

Games played with 104 cards

French packs (2 packs of 4 x AKQJT98765432):

Games played with 108 cards

French pack (Canasta): 2 packs of 52 cards and 4 Jokers:

Games played with 110 cards

French packs (2 packs of 4 x AKQJT98765432 + 6 Jokers):

Games played with 312 cards

(6 packs of 52 cards)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kartenspiel Regeln: Kop.

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