We are really serious when we say that there are literally hundreds of card games you can play using the standard deck of 52 cards. This one deck is the best example of creativity levels of how much we can do using just one deck. Some of the top card games played by Indians are Teen Patti, Solitaire, Mendicot, Online Rummy, Andar Bahar, etc. These card games can be played by a wide number of players, right from playing solo in Solitaire to more than 10 players in some card games. But the 4 player card games have some uniqueness, a different vibe to them.
Most people look to play card games for 4. They know many card games to play, but they hardly know exactly which are the card games for 4 people they can play. This is why this article can be useful for you. Let us first know:
Types of Card Games
The card games for 4 can be basically divided into 3 types. They are:
- Matching: in these types of card games, you must construct specific combinations of cards like sets, sequences, pairs, flush, etc. for e.g. Indian Rummy. These combinations can be made in many different ways depending on the rules.
- Trick-taking: these 4 card games are played in rounds, and these rounds are again divided into individual tricks. The first one to play a card will determine the suit & lead the trick. Other players must play a higher ranked card of the same suit to win the trick, or else forfeit by playing any card. The winner will lead the next trick in card games for 4 people.
- Shedding: this is all about clearing all the cards from your hand as quickly as possible. The rules here are simple and the game play is usually fast-paced.
List of Card games for 4
Now let us look at some of the card games for four. Cards of only some ranks and suits are used in some of these games while multiple decks of 52 cards are used in some. Here are the card games for 4 people:
- Spades
2 or more players can play this game, although mostly it is played by 4 players in teams of 2 each. Each player initially gets 13 cards, and not four cards. Each payer proclaims the number of tricks they can take. For each trick you capture, you get a point and a penalty for losing a trick. The first team to reach a predetermined number of points, wins the game.
- Whist
Whist is one of the card games for 4 players that is really popular. The rank of cards is from Ace, King… till 2. Using a standard deck of 52 cards, each player is dealt 13 cards by the dealer. The final card to the dealer becomes the trump card. Players put 1 card each and the highest value card wins the trick. There are 13 tricks to be won, the team that gets more tricks wins the game.
- Canasta
This is one of the best 4 player card games and has many variations in the world. 2 decks of 52 cards are used plus 2 or 3 jokers, and not four cards, are used, making a total of 108 or 110 cards. The aim of the teams (2 teams of 2 players) is to reach 5000 points. The one with the highest number of points, wins the game.
- Mendicot
There are no other 4 player card games that are as familiar to us Indians as Mendicot. The 4 card of Tens are the most important in this trick-taking game. The team (2 teams of 2 players) that wins all or 3 of the 10s, wins the game. Click here to know how to play this game. Truly Mendicot is one of the best 4 player card games.
- Bridge
The Bridge card game, a.k.a Contract Bridge is another in this list of four player card games. It gives you a lot of room for skillful play. The game play is somewhat similar to the Whist game. This game is played using 48 plus 4 card, i.e. 52 cards. Know how to play bridge.
- Satte Pe Satta
Also known as 7 on 7, you ask any Indian, and most of them will reply that this game is one of the exciting 4 player card games. Any number of players can play it, and if more players take part then 2 decks are used. The player with 7 of hearts starts the game. The player who finishes their cards first in this strategy game of shedding cards, wins the game. Blocking the cards of your rivals is a sure way to win in 7 on 7.
- Bluff Card Game
Among all the card games for 4, the bluff game is really thrilling and skillful. A player can throw up to 4 card and claim them to be a set. Then other players have to debate on the genuineness of the set, and whether the player is bluffing or not as per the rules, by challenging to show their cards. The loser will take the 4 playing cards with them. The first player with no cards is the winner.
- Rummy
Usually, rummy is played by 2 to 6 players, but 4 players make this game double exciting and thrilling. This is one of the card games for 4 people, that is played by a majority of Indians. Khel Play Rummy is trusted by over 50 lakhs Indian Rummy players. It has 3 types: Pool, Deals, and Points Rummy, and can be played using 10 cards, 13 cards, 21 cards, or 27 cards. You can never get bored by playing rummy online.
- Donkey card game
Even though this is in the four player card games category, any number of players can play Donkey. 1 card is hidden and the rest of the cards are equally distributed. A player must pick a card from the neighbouring player’s deck and if he gets a pair (2 Tens), then he will throw these 2 cards and not four cards, on the floor. This will go on till one player is left with 1 card, that player will become the donkey in this fun game among all 4 person card games.
- Blitz
This is another of the card games for 4 which you can play with your family or friends. It is also called a thirty-one card game, as the goal for you is to collect 3 cards (and not 4 card) of the same suit that will add up to 31 points or near to it, to win the game. Every player gets 3 cards and the rest are placed in a closed pile. Each player takes a card and discards a card until 1 player thinks their 3 cards add up to 31 points, or near to them in one of these amazing and exciting 4 player card games.
- Crazy Eights
This is one of the shedding card game types among the 4 person card games, that has similarities to ‘Switch’ card game. Each player isn’t dealt 4 playing cards, but 5 cards each, and the rest forms the pile or stock. The objective is to be the 1st player to discard all your cards. Crazy Eights is another four player card games that you will never get bored of playing.
- Twenty-Eight card game
28 is one of those card games for 4 people that is played extensively in north India. 32 cards are distributed to the players, all cards other than 2 to 6. These 2 to 6 are cash cards and each player gets 6 cash cards. The team that gets the maximum number of points is the winner in this engaging game among all the card games for 4.
There are more ‘4 player card games’, but these are the top ones, easier to play, and generally played more by Indians.
Some Common Points of Gameplay
The 4 player card games are not very much different from other card games. They use the same basics of gameplay styles and terminologies. The only difference could be in dealing. Usually, in these games, the dealer is finalized before the game begins, it is either done by deck splitting, usually involving more than four cards, or he/she is nominated by any player(s) among the 4. Card game play of these 4 playing cards games happens in this way: the cards are properly shuffled and dealt to each player one at a time.
The undealt cards then form the pile for drawing purposes. When the dealer is involved in the game play, usually the player to the left of the dealer starts the game. The turn order in card games for 4, for the players is followed clockwise unless it is stated to follow the anti-clockwise direction.
Whether you play offline or online, the card games for 4 players will never fail to thrill and entertain you. These card games are the perfect ones to play with family, as well as with friends. Some of the above mentioned card games have the flexibility to be played by 2 players, 3 players, etc., not just 4. Card games are played not just because we enjoy them, but also because they develop skills like observation, quick decision making, planning, analysis, etc. Which of the ones above have you played till now?
