Top 10 Card Games for 3 Players

Card games are fun to play with friends and family at gatherings. Three-player card game offers various interesting game options, including Rummy, Poker, Whist, Crazy Eights, Teen Do Paanch, etc. Every card game requires different skills and strategies to win, providing a unique gaming experience and fun. You can choose card games for three players according to your skill set and interests.

The three-player card game involves three players, each receiving cards from a regular or customized deck. The aim and rules vary, but players compete or collaborate to achieve specific goals or combinations with their cards.

In this article, you can discover the most entertaining and thrilling card games for three people to keep you engaged endlessly.

Card Games for 3 Players

Here’s the list of the most well-known card games to play with three people:

1. Crazy Eights Game

The objective of the Crazy Eights card game is to be the first player to discard all your cards. This classic game resembles Uno but utilizes a regular deck of playing cards.

Deck: Standard 52-card deck.

Players: Three

Rules:

• Each player is dealt five cards (or 7seven cards in some variations). The rest of the deck is placed face down as the draw pile, and the top card is turned face up to start the discard pile.

• The goal is to discard all your cards before anyone else.

• Turns: at each turn, a player must match the rank or suit of the card on top of the discard pile or play an Eight (to change suits). If unable to move, they must draw from the draw pile.

• Eights are unique as they can be placed on any card and authorize the player to announce a fresh suit.

• The game concludes when a player successfully discards all their cards, resulting in victory. Afterwards, points are calculated by evaluating the remaining cards held by opposing players. The value assigned to face cards (J, Q, K) equals 10 points each, and number cards earn corresponding point values identical to their numeral denomination.

Scoring:

• Face cards: 10 points each.
• Number cards: Face value.

Eights: 50 points each.

2. Poker Game

Poker is a family of card games where you wager on who has the best hand, based on the game rules. It involves several betting rounds, where you bet based on hole cards and community cards. Poker has many variations, but for three players, Texas Hold'em is one of the most popular.

Deck: Standard 52-card deck.

Players: Three

Chips: Each player starts with an equal number of chips.

Blinds: The two players sitting to the dealer's left place the small and big blinds, respectively.

Rules:

One of the most interesting features of Poker is its rules. 

• Each player receives two private cards (hole cards). Five community cards are dealt face-up in the centre of the table.
• After hole cards are dealt, the player to the left of the big blind starts the betting.
• Flop: Three community cards are dealt face-up. A new round of betting follows.
• Turn: A fourth community card is dealt. Another round of betting occurs.
• River: The fifth and final community card is dealt. The final round of betting takes place.
• Showdown: If multiple players remain at the end of betting, the player with the highest five-card hand wins. Players can utilize the combination of their pocket cards and communal ones.

3. Rummy Game

Rummy aims to form sets and runs using the cards dealt. While two players can play this game, it becomes even more captivating with three participants. The goal is to be the first player to discard all your cards or to have fewer points than your opponent. You meld your cards in combinations, either sets or runs.

Deck: Standard 52-card deck (sometimes two decks are used).

Players: Three

Rules:

• The process of dealing involves distributing 10 cards to each player (or sometimes just 7). The remaining deck is then designated as the draw pile, and a single card from it is revealed face-up to initiate the discard pile.

• You have to form valid sets, which should contain three or four cards of identical rank and runs that include a minimum of three sequential suit-matching cards.

• One turn involves picking a card (from the draw or discard pile) and removing one card.

• Players can place their sets or runs during their turn but are not obligated to until they are ready to go out.

• The round ends when a player successfully lays down all their cards. The other players then reveal their cards, counting points based on unmelted cards.

Scoring:

• Face cards (J, Q, K): 10 points each.
• Aces: 1 point each (or 11 points in some variations).
• Number cards: Face value.

The player with the lowest score at the end of a predetermined number of rounds or when a player reaches a specific score limit wins.

4. Gin Rummy

Although initially designed for two players, Gin Rummy can be adjusted to accommodate three. The objective is to create sets and runs before declaring ‘knock’ to conclude the round. The popular variant of the classic Rummy card game was created in the early 1900s. The first player to reach 100 points wins. You play by drawing cards and discarding them strategically.

Deck: Standard 52-card deck.

Players: Three

Rules:

• Each player is dealt 10 cards (or 7 in some variations). The remaining cards form the draw pile, with one card turned face-up to start the discard pile.
• The aim is to create groups of cards consisting of three or four with identical rank or consecutive suits comprising a minimum of three.
• Players will draw a card from the discard pile or draw a deck on every turn and then discard one of their own.
• If a player's unmatched cards total 10 points or less, they can conclude the round by knocking. He then lays down his sets and runs, and the other players reveal his hands.

Scoring:

• Unmatched cards (deadwood) are scored based on their face value. Face cards (J, Q, K) are 10 points each, and number cards are worth their face value. Aces are worth 1 point. 
• The player with the lowest deadwood score wins the round. The game typically continues until one player reaches a predetermined number of points (e.g., 100). 

5. Go Fish

Go Fish is a card game played with 3 to 6 players. The objective of each player is to collect all four cards of the same rank. Initially, an equal number of cards are dealt to all the players. 

Deck: Standard 52-card deck.

Players: Three to six

Rules:

• Each player is dealt an equal number of cards.
• Players take turns checking if other player holds the rank they are looking for. For example, one player asks other players if they hold 9s.
• If the other player holds the card you are looking for, they must give it to you. Once this happens, you call out, “Go Fish,” while picking up a card from the deck.
• Once you have collected all four cards of the same rank, you put all the cards on the table face up.
• The player who wins the maximum number of sets wins the game.

Scoring:

At the end of the game, players count the total number of sets they have collected. The player with the most sets (and therefore the highest score) wins.

6. Bluff

Bluff is one of the easiest card games to play and is very popular in India. The game's goal is to use bluffing as a resort to discard cards in hand. Here, the winners bluff others easily and catch others bluffing quickly.

Deck: Standard 52-card deck.

Players: 3 to 6.

Rules:

• The game begins once the players have been dealt an equal number of cards.
• On their turn, the players must play a card equal to or higher in rank than the card being played by the previous player.
• If the player thinks the player sitting before them is bluffing, they can challenge the player. If the player accepts the challenge, the challenger has to pick up all the face-up cards in the pile.
• If the other player does not accept the challenge, they must pick up all the face-up cards in the pile.
• The game continues until only one player is left with the cards.

Scoring:

In a bluff game, scoring typically involves the points based on the number of successful bluffs and the cards' value. Players earn points for bluffing opponents and lose points for being caught bluffing.

7. Teen Do Paanch (3-2-5)

Teen Do Paanch (3-2-5) is an interesting and easy game with just three players. Here, the goal of each player is to win tricks and gain points in return. As the name suggests, players have to make either 2, 3 or 5 hands in each round.

Deck: 30 cards from the standard 52-card deck.

Players: Three

Rules:

• Based on specific rules, a player will make either two hands, three hands, or five hands.
• Use a standard 52-card deck and deal five cards to each player.
• Players play one card in a clockwise direction.
• The player who plays the highest card of the leading suit wins the trick.
• If a player doesn’t hold the same suit card, they can use the trump suit, which is decided based on a set of rules. The trump suit ranks above any other suit and hence wins the trick.
• If a player wins more than their agreed number of tricks, they can win the same number of cards from the other person if they feel they are getting a better card in exchange.

Scoring:

The player with the highest score at the end wins the game.

8. Slapjack

Slap Jack is a fast-paced card game based on Egyptian Ratscrew, where two to three players aim to win all the cards. People of any age can play this game. It requires one or two decks of 52 cards to play this game.

Deck: One or two 52-card decks.

Players: Three

Rules:

• Players take turns flipping cards from their pile into the centre.
• When a Jack appears, players quickly slap the pile to claim it. 
• The game continues until one player collects all the cards.

Scoring:

In Slapjack, players score by winning the entire pile of cards whenever a Jack is played. The game continues until one player collects all the cards. The player who wins all the rounds wins the game.

9. 99 (Ninety-Nine)

The game of 99 (Ninety-Nine) is similar to the game of Spades, as in this too you have to bet how many tricks you think you can win. The trick is after eliminating three cards, you make a bid. The game is played over nine deals and the player with the highest score wins.

Gameplay

• A standard deck of cards with cards ranking from 1 to 10 is used in the 99-card game.
• The goal is to be the last player with a score of less than 99.
• Each player starts with a zero score and you must play a card and tally its value when it’s your turn.
• You cannot play a card that will raise your score over 99.
• Jacks are worth 11, Queens are worth 12, Kings are worth 12, and Aces are worth 1. All the face cards have unique values.
• A player gets disqualified from the game if they cannot play a card without going above 99.
• The last player standing with less than 99 score wins.

10. Draw 4 (Crazy Night with a Twist)

Draw 4 is a unique variant of the traditional Crazy Eights game. A standard deck of 52 cards is used to play the game and the first player to discard all their cards wins.

Gameplay

• The top card of the discard pile starts the game and everyone must play a card that matches their suit or rank.
• If you cannot play the matching card, you are penalised by drawing four cards from the deck and skipping your turn.
• The next plays the matching card and so on.
• Unique cards like Eights may be used to alter the suit and dictate the player’s course of action.
• The player left with no cards wins.

More Card Games for 3 Players

Skat

Skat is the best card game for 3-players that uses a customised deck of 32 cards. The goal is to beat other players’ point totals using specific strategies. You are dealt ten cards, out of which to are put face down in the middle known as Skat.

Gameplay

• The game is divided into rounds where each round includes an auction and trick-playing.
• You have to compete during the auction to be the declarer. The declarer selects the trump suit and competes against the other two players.
• The player with the highest score wins, which is calculated using different contract modifiers and the value of cards gained.

Let It Ride

Let It Ride is a casino table poker game, where you wager on a five-card poker hand. Let It Ride is a variation of a five-card stud, you make the five-card hand with your two cards and three community cards. The distinguishing feature of Let It Ride is that you get two opportunities to withdraw exactly one-third of your initial wager.

Gameplay

• The objective is to get a good poker hand by using your three cards and the community cards.
• You can ask for your first bet back or elect to let it ride after looking at your three facedown cards.
• One of the dealer’s facedown cards is then turned up. You can then ask for your bet back or may let it ride.
• The dealer’s second facedown card is turned up and everyone reveals their cards. The dealer then pays out all winning hands.

Palace

Palace is a shedding card game where you aim to be the first to discard all your cards. The game is played with a standard deck of 52-card, with 2-5 players. It involves discarding cards into discard pile, to match or exceed the value of the top card of the pile.

How to Play

• Start by shuffling the standard deck of cards and removing the joker. The dealer then deals three cards face down to form a palace and six cards face up to their hand.
• The player with the lowest-ranked card starts the game and plays the card face-up to the centre to start the discard pile.
• Players take turns and each player must play a card equal to or higher in rank than the previous card played.
• Once everyone is done playing cards, players must draw from the draw pile until they have three cards in their hand.
• The first player to discard all their cards wins.

Baccarat

Baccarat is a casino card game where you bet on which hand you or the bankers will have a total card value closest to nine. It’s a simple game, that focuses on prediction rather than strategy. The game is played with two or three cards dealt to each hand, to reach a total of nine or close as possible.

How to play

• There are two main hands involved the player and the banker hand.
• The game begins when you place an initial bet on one of the options two options- Player Bet or Banker’s Bet.
• Once everyone has placed their bets, the dealer shouts ‘No more bets’ and then the dealer deals one more card in the Player box and one in the Banker box. 
• The dealer repeats the process twice so that each box contains exactly two cards. 
• After this, if your bet matches the box with the highest-ranked combination, you win. 
• The cards 2-9 are worth their face value, aces are worth one, and 10s and face cards are worth zero points.

Euchre

Euchre is a trick-taking card game played by four players in teams of two. The game uses 24 cards, each suit’s 9, 10, J, Q, K, and A. The aim is to be the team to reach 10 points.

How to play

• Players pick cards to decide the dealer. The dealer then deals five cards and keeps the remaining four on the table; the top card is flipped to determine the trump suit.
• The players then bet on the number of tricks they think they can win. The Declarer’s team must win the number of tricks they bid.

Hearts Game

In Hearts games, players aim to avoid accumulating cards with negative points to win the game. The player with the fewest penalty points is declared the winner.

Deck: Standard 52-card deck.

Players: Three

Rules:

• Each player is dealt 13 cards.
• At the start of each round, players select three cards to pass to an opponent.
• Trick-Taking: The player with the 2 Clubs leads the first trick. Players must follow suit if possible. Otherwise, they can play any card.
• The highest card of the suit led wins the trick.

Penalty Points:

• Hearts cards are worth 1 point each.
• Thirteen points is the value of the Queen of Spades.

• Shooting the moon in this game involves a player taking all penalty cards and having two options: adding 26 points to each opponent's score or subtracting 26 points from their respective scores.

• Emerging as the victor requires obtaining more than 100 points. Nevertheless, the person with the fewest points ultimately claims victory.

Whist Game

The whist game involves trump cards and aims to procure as many tricks as possible. The simplified version discussed here is designed for three players.

Deck: Standard 52-card deck.

Players: Three

Rules:

• Each player is dealt 13 cards.
• Players take turns playing one card each, and the trick is won by the player having the highest card of the suit played initially.
• A basic game of Whist does not incorporate a trump suit, though some variations may involve its usage.
• The next trick is led by the player who wins the previous one.

Scoring:

• The game is often played in fixed-number rounds (e.g., 13), and the goal is to win as many tricks as possible.
• In some versions, scoring is based on the number of tricks won compared to a predetermined number (e.g., 6).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you play 3-player Poker (Texas Hold'em)?

In Texas Hold'em:

• Each player gets two private cards.
• Five community cards are dealt face-up.
• Players bet in rounds: Pre-Flop, Flop, Turn, and River.
• The best five-card hand wins using any combination of private and community cards.

How do you play 3-player Rummy?

In Rummy:

• Every player receives 10 cards.
• Players gather cards by drawing and removing them to create either sets (cards of the same rank) or runs (consecutive cards belonging to a single suit).
• The round is concluded once a player melts all their cards.

How to play 3 card Poker online?

Three-card poker involves players receiving three cards each. The players make an ante bet, and they can fold or place a play bet. The dealer's hand compares hands, and the winner has the best hand. Several online gaming platforms host Three-Card Poker online around the clock.

What are some friendly three-player card games?

Slapjack, Teen Do Paanch, Go Fish, and Bluff are exciting three-player card games.

How long does playing a three-player game of Spades or Hearts take?

A three-player Spades or Hearts game typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. The duration can vary based on players’ skill levels, strategies, and speed of play.

What is the 3-player trick-taking game?

A three-player trick-taking game is a card game in which three players compete to win "tricks" by playing higher cards according to specific rules. Popular examples include Hearts, Spades, Bluff variations or specialized games like Oh Hell.

Is it possible to play other card games with three players?

Yes. There are several card games you can play with three players.

Conclusion

Playing card games brings fun and excitement and also encourages social interaction. Each card game provides unique rules and strategies for players with different skill sets. Whether you enjoy the strategy involved in poker, the fast-paced nature of crazy eights, the classic thrill of rummy, or the tactics engaged in teen do paanch. You can choose various options according to your interests.