20 Card Games For 2 Players To Help You Switch Up Game Night

It's easy to turn a boring night at home into a fun game night if you have a pack of cards. There are even plenty of card games to play with two people, which makes it super simple to stay entertained when you’re chillin’ at home with your SO or bestie. To make sure you’re not destined to play “52 pick up” all night, check out the best card games for two players that’ll definitely keep you entertained.

Having a deck of cards on hand is always a good idea in case you're in the mood for an impromptu game night. And when it’s a small crowd, you can choose from a whole slew of card games for two if you have a standard deck of cards, including classics like Slapjack and Double Solitaire. No playing cards? No worries There are also online card games for two that’ll keep your game night going strong. Even classic card games like Go Fish! are available to download on your phone or tablet, making it super easy to get a game going when you’re bored at home. If you’re having trouble settling on a card game for two, here are some options that use either a physical deck or are available to play online.

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1. Rummy

The goal of Rummy is to create matched sets with groups of 3 of a kind, 4 of a kind, or sequences of 3 or more of the same suit. If you're playing with one other person, the winner of each hand deals the next. You can see the full rules for Rummy here.

2. Double Solitaire

Double Solitaire is a variation of classic Solitaire and has similar rules. The main goal of this card game for two players is to put down all your cards and rearrange your deck by suiting and ranking the cards. You can find the full rules here.

3. Slapjack

Slapjack will keep game night exciting for two players. You'll want to be the first to slap each Jack card as it's played to the center. If you beat your pal and slap the Jack first, you'll take the card as well as all the cards beneath it. You can find the full rules here.

4. Matching

Matching is available for free on the App Store. The concentration-style card game for two players is packed with fun sounds, graphics, and animations. You'll also boost your memory as you match pairs to win the game.

5. War

War is a simple card game for two, and you can get it for free on the App Store and Google Play — or you can play with an actual deck of cards. When you play IRL, you’ll deal the deck evenly between two players. Then, each player turns up a card at the same time, and the highest card wins both cards and puts them face-down at the bottom of their deck. If you happen to get cards of the same rank, it is war. You can see the full rules here.

6. Exploding Kittens

Exploding Kittens has an odd name, but it's always a crowd-pleaser. You can still enjoy this group card game even if you only have two players. To win, you'll simply need to avoid drawing an exploding kitten card. It's super easy to learn how to play the card game for two, and it only takes 15 minutes to play.

7. Go Fish

The aim is to win the most "books" of cards, which is any four of a kind, such as four Aces. There are 13 books in total to win. You can find the full rules here. You can also download the Go Fish — The Card Game to play virtually with just two people. It's available in the App Store and Google Play.

8. Crazy Eights

To win Crazy Eights, you'll want to be the first player to get rid of all your cards. All eights are wild cards, which means you can play them at any time during your turn. Here are the full rules for playing it as a card game for two.

9. Trash

In Trash, your aim is to be the first person to complete your layout of 10 cards from Ace through 10. You'll want to watch out for Queens and Kings, which will end your turn automatically. You can see the full rules here.

10. Scattergories

Scattergories is a fast-paced card game for two players. Each time a category and letter combo is revealed, you'll want to be the first one to slap the "I Know" card and give the right answer. The player who gets the most cards at the end wins the game.

11. Kings in the Corner

In this card game for two players, Kings are high and Aces are low, and the first player to get rid of all their cards wins the round. You can view the full rules here.

12. Memory/Concentration

Memory/Concentration will test your memorization skills. All you need to do is lay a deck of cards facedown, and then each player takes turns turning over two cards to see if they can get a match. If you get a match, you can keep both cards — otherwise, you’ll need to put the cards back facedown. The winner in this card game for two is the person who has the most card matches.

13. Speed

Speed is, as its name suggests, is a super quick card game for two players where you’ll have to keep up with the pace. The aim is to be the first to get rid of all your cards, and it can certainly get competitive. For the full rules, check out this guide.

14. Marriage

Marriage is an exciting card game to play with for two people that requires three decks of cards. Kings and Queens will earn you the most points in this game (which is why it’s called Marriage). It’s recommended for advanced players, so you’ll certainly want to brush up on the rules.

15. Sushi Go!

Sushi Go! is perfect for foodies craving a game night. You’ll rack up points by making the most maki rolls with your cards or for collecting the complete sashimi set. To top it off, you can play with one other person or up to five players, which makes it super flexible for any game night.

16. Duel 52

Duel 52 is a card game for two players that puts you in combat with another player using your cards. You’ll need a standard deck of cards, which are divided into three lanes. To win, you need to “attack” your opponents cards. Once you’ve got two lanes, the game is over.

17. Spit

Spit is a fast-paced card game for two where the point is to get rid of your cards as quickly as possible using a regular 52-card deck. Each player is dealt 26 random cards and then lays them out in five rows that are called “stockpiles.” The first person to move all their cards into the “spit piles” wins the game. Check out the full rules here.

18. Old Maid

Old Maid is a classic card game to play with two people. The aim of the game is to be the player that doesn’t end up with the Old Maid (the one queen in the deck of cards without a pair). You can play the game either with an Old Maid deck or a standard 52 card deck, but you’ll need to remove one queen from the deck before you start playing. There’s also an online version available to download on the App Store or Google Play. Check out the full set of rules here.

19. Bingo

Inspired by the classic game of the same name, bingo is all about being the first player to turn all your cards face down. In this card game for two players, you’ll need to use two standard decks of 52 cards. One player must be the “caller” who will say the card values out loud, which the players will need to match in order to complete their “bingo” hand.

20. Sixty-Six

The object of the game is to be the first player to snag 66 points. Each player gets dealt six cards each (three at a time), and you’ll score points based on which cards you have. For example, each king gets four points, while each queen gets three points. Here is the full list of rules.