Let’s face it – rounding up a crew of five players for game night can feel like herding cats. But once you’ve managed to wrangle everyone around a table, cards in hand, the laughter, competition, and inevitable trash talk make it all worthwhile.
Card games offer a variety of experiences. Whether your group prefers quick, lighthearted party games or deep, strategic trick-taking showdowns, there’s a deck out there with your name on it.
And because we know finding the best card games designed for five players is no easy feat, we’ve curated a list specifically for those glorious occasions when you’ve got a full house. Get ready for some epic gameplay – things are about to get interesting.
Related: Looking for card games for other group sizes? Explore our curated lists of the best card games for 2 players, 3 players, and 4 players! These comprehensive guides are tailored to specific player counts, just like this one, so you can always find the perfect game for your next gathering.
1. Sheepshead
Sheepshead, a trick-taking card game straight outta Wisconsin, is where you’ll outsmart your friends, earn bragging rights (maybe over a round of beers), and experience shifting alliances that would make a politician blush.
- Trick-Taking with a Twist: You’ll use a unique 32-card deck where Queens and Jacks are always trump, and the point system will throw you for a loop.
- Blind Bidding Action: Players can choose to pick up (or wisely avoid) two hidden cards, adding an element of risk and reward to every round.
- Secret Partnerships: The “Picker” has to cleverly signal their partner, creating a layer of mystery and strategy that keeps everyone guessing.
Why it’s Perfect for 5 Players: Sheepshead truly shines with a full house. With five players, the potential for betrayal, table talk, and game-changing plays reaches peak chaos. Trust no one, count your points, and prepare for some serious laughs (and maybe a few cries of “You betrayed me!”).
2. Crazy Eights
Crazy Eights, the classic shedding game we all know and love, is easy to learn but still offers just enough room for sneaky tactics and unexpected twists. It’s a family-friendly party game perfect for 2-7 players.
- Match or Mayhem: Quickly match the discard pile’s suit or rank, or unleash the power of the wild card – the Crazy Eight!
- Race to an Empty Hand: Be the first player to get rid of all your cards, leaving your opponents in a cloud of card-playing dust.
- Endless Variations: Spice things up with fun variations like “Switch,” “Two’s Wild,” or create your own house rules!
Why It’s Perfect for 5 Players: With a larger group, Crazy Eights hits peak chaos. The frantic pace, surprise attacks, and never-ending pile of drawn cards make for a game that’s equal parts skill and side-splitting laughter.
3. Rummy
Rummy, the classic card game, is all about melding cards into sets and runs faster than your opponents. It’s a simple game to learn but with enough strategic depth to keep you coming back for more.
- Meld Mania: Outwit your rivals by creating sets (cards of the same rank) or runs (sequential cards of the same suit).
- Race to Go Out: The goal is to be the first player to meld all your cards and “go out.” If someone beats you to it, you’ll be stuck with penalty points based on the cards left in your hand.
- Strategic Shenanigans: Rummy is a game of player vs. player interaction where bluffing, calculating probabilities, and sneaky tactics are always encouraged.
Why it’s Perfect for 5 Players: With five players, Rummy moves at a brisk pace, offering plenty of opportunities for each player to strategize, outmaneuver the competition, and pull off some clever plays.
4. Gin Rummy
Gin Rummy, a classic variation of Rummy, is a thrilling two-player card game that’s a true battle of wits and strategy. The objective: outmaneuver your opponent by forming melds, minimizing those pesky deadwood points, and knowing when to knock.
- Meld Mastery: Just like in regular Rummy, create sets (cards of the same rank) or runs (sequential cards of the same suit).
- The Art of the Knock: When you’re close to melding all your cards, you can “knock” to end the round and trigger scoring. But be careful – a clever opponent might “undercut” you with even fewer deadwood points!
- Gin for the Win: Achieve zero deadwood? That’s “going Gin,” a power move worthy of a hefty point bonus and serious bragging rights.
5-Player Adaptation: While Gin Rummy is traditionally a two-player duel, you can adapt it for a larger group by creating a knockout tournament. Players face off head-to-head, with winners advancing to the next round until you crown the ultimate Gin Rummy champion! This format allows for partnership and strategic alliances, adding another layer of excitement to the game.
5. Hearts
Hearts, a classic trick-taking card game, isn’t about winning tricks – it’s about avoiding points like they’re the plague. Those pesky Hearts and the dreaded Queen of Spades? You’ll want to steer clear of those at all costs.
- Pass the Pain: Before each round, strategically pass three cards to another player. Choose wisely, because in Hearts, you snooze, you lose (points, that is).
- Tricky Business: Win tricks by playing the highest card of the led suit. If you can’t follow suit, try sloughing off those unwanted point cards.
- Shoot the Moon (If You Dare): Capture all thirteen Hearts AND the Queen of Spades in a single hand to achieve a zero-point victory. It’s a risky move, but the reward is a glorious victory dance.
Playing Hearts with 5: While classic Hearts is typically played with four players, you can easily adapt it for five players by rotating one player out each round. This creates a dynamic of shifting alliances, as players outside the game can offer “advice” (or perhaps a bit of mischief) to those at the table.
6. Uno
Uno, ah Uno! It’s the card game equivalent of that catchy pop song you can’t get out of your head – simple, fast-paced, and oh-so-satisfying (especially when you yell “Uno!” in your best victory screech).
- Color Matching Madness: Match the color, number, or symbol on the discard pile – or unleash those game-changing action cards!
- Action-Packed Fun: Reverse the order of play, make your opponents draw cards, or go wild with color-changing mayhem.
- First to Finish: Be the first player to get rid of all your cards and declare victory! (Don’t forget to yell “Uno!” when you’re down to one card – it’s a rule and a power move.)
Why it’s Perfect for 5 Players: Uno is a classic family-friendly party game for 2-10 players, but with a group of five, it transforms into a glorious free-for-all. The fast-paced gameplay, constant attacks, and strategic use of action cards create a game where anyone can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
7. Five-card draw
Five-card Draw, the classic American poker game, is as timeless as apple pie. It’s easy to learn but boasts enough strategic depth to keep those poker faces guessing.
- Ante Up: Start the game by placing your bets. Will you play it safe or risk it all with an “all in” move?
- Draw for Glory: Swap out those unwanted cards and hope for a winning hand. A pair? A straight? Maybe even a flush?
- Showdown Time: The player with the best five-card poker hand takes home the pot (and the bragging rights).
Why it’s Perfect for 5 Players: Five-card Draw thrives on player vs. player interaction, reaching peak intensity with a full table of five players. The bluffing, strategic betting, and potential for surprise hands create a dramatic and intense game where anything can happen. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a five-way showdown!
8. Spades
Spades, the classic trick-taking card game, is all about bidding, trumping, and working with your partner to outsmart the other team. It’s a four-player game that requires both skill and a bit of luck.
- Bid Boldly, Play Smart: Work together with your partner to predict how many tricks you’ll win – and then make those predictions a reality. Careful, though! Overbidding can lead to penalty points.
- Trump Those Tricks: Spades are always trump, making them your secret weapon to overpower any other suit on the table.
- Mind the Nil: Feeling lucky? Bid zero tricks (“Nil”) for a chance at a massive point bonus – but be warned, winning even one trick will cost you!
Playing Spades with 5: While classic Spades is best enjoyed with four players to allow for balanced partnerships, you can adapt it for five by rotating one player out each round. This creates a unique dynamic of shifting alliances, as the “outsider” might offer advice (or perhaps a bit of mischief) to those in the game.
9. Cribbage
Cribbage, the classic card game known for its unique cribbage board and intricate scoring system, is like that one friend who always wins at math games. It’s all about counting combinations, forming runs and pairs, and racking up points faster than you can say “15-2, 15-4”.
- The Crib is King: Discard strategically to either boost your own score or sabotage your opponent’s chances.
- The Play’s the Thing: Carefully choose which cards to play to create point-scoring runs and pairs, and aim for that magical 31 during the pegging phase.
- Show Your Hand: Tally up those final points from your hand and the crib – may the best card counter win!
Playing Cribbage with 5: Classic Cribbage shines as a two-player duel, but with a bit of creativity, you can adapt it for a larger group. One option is a round-robin tournament where players face off in pairs, rotating opponents each round. For a more collaborative experience, try a team-based approach with two players against three, allowing players to switch teams between rounds. If you’re looking for card games specifically designed for five players, we’ve got plenty of other recommendations to choose from!
10. Go Fish
Go Fish, the classic card game we all know and love from our childhood, is a simple and fun family game that puts your memory skills to the test!
- Book Hunting: The goal is to collect the most four-of-a-kind sets, also known as “books.”
- Go Fish!: On your turn, ask your opponents for cards to complete your sets. If they don’t have it, you’ll have to “Go Fish!” and draw a card from the draw pile.
- Memory Master: Pay close attention to what cards your opponents ask for – it’s the key to stealing those books and claiming victory!
Why it’s Perfect for 5 Players: Go Fish is a fantastic game for 2-6 players and scales perfectly for larger groups, making it a family favorite for game nights. With five players, the game becomes a delightful mix of strategy and luck, keeping everyone engaged and entertained. For those seeking card games specifically designed for five players, we have plenty of other exciting options to choose from!
11. Egyptian Rat Screw
Egyptian Rat Screw, also known as Slap or Snot, is the card game that’s all about card-slapping chaos. It’s fast, furious, loud, and perfect for those who love a game that’s more about quick reflexes than deep strategy.
- Face Card Frenzy: Play your cards and keep your eyes peeled for doubles, sandwiches, tens, and other slappable combinations. The first to slap the pile correctly wins the cards!
- Slap Happy: Be the first to react when a slappable scenario arises, but hesitate, and you’ll be burning cards faster than a gambler in a casino fire.
- Last One Standing: Collect all 52 cards and claim your rightful place as the Egyptian Rat Screw Pharaoh.
Why It’s a Party Starter: Egyptian Rat Screw is a hilarious party game that can be enjoyed by 2 or more players. With a group of five, the game erupts into a symphony of laughter, shouting, and (hopefully) just a few accidental hand-slaps. If you’re looking for card games specifically designed for five players, we have plenty of other exciting options to explore!
12. President
President, also known as A**hole or Scum, is a trick-taking card game where you literally climb the social ladder (at least in your friend group). It’s all about outplaying your opponents and being the first to ditch all your cards to claim the coveted title of President.
- Rank and File: Cards rank from 3 (low) to Ace (high). Use your best judgment (and maybe a bit of poker face) to outmaneuver your opponents.
- Play or Pass: Beat the previous card or combination – you can even play pairs, triples, or straights! If you can’t beat the play, pass your turn and hope for a better hand.
- President to Scum: The first player to get rid of all their cards becomes the President, while the last player stuck with cards earns the unfortunate title of “Scum” (or “A**hole”). But the fun doesn’t stop there! The President and Scum get to exchange cards, adding a unique layer of strategy and social dynamics to the game.
Why It’s a 4-5 Player Power Struggle: President truly hits its stride with 4-5 players. The balance between strategy and chance, coupled with the ever-present race to avoid being the “Scum,” makes for a game that’s both engaging and highly entertaining. While President can be adapted for a larger group, if you’re seeking card games specifically designed for five players, we’ve got plenty of other recommendations!
13. Palace
Palace, also known as Shed, Karma, or China Hand, is a shedding card game that’s more strategic than it looks. The goal: be the first player to get rid of all your cards. But watch out, those face-down “palace” cards and special rules add a layer of chaos and surprise that’ll keep you on your toes!
- Build Your Palace (Wisely): Those three face-down cards are your last line of defense – choose them carefully!
- Play or Pay: Match or beat the top card of the discard pile with a card from your hand. If you can’t play, you’ll have to take the whole discard pile!
- Wild Cards and Pile Busters: The 2 acts as a wild card, and the 10 acts as a “pile buster,” clearing the discard pile completely. Use them wisely to sabotage your opponents!
Why It’s Fun with 5: Palace is a blast with a larger group (2-5 players or more with additional decks) and is perfect for chaotic game nights. With five players, the game becomes a whirlwind of ever-changing strategies and surprise pile pickups, where anyone can steal the win. If you’re looking for card games specifically designed for five players, we have a whole deck of other recommendations waiting to be dealt!
14. Oh Hell
Oh Hell, also known as Blackout or Up and Down the River, is a trick-taking card game that combines the best of Spades and Bridge. Get ready for bidding wars, trumping your opponents’ best-laid plans, and enough strategic mind games to make your head spin.
- The Hook: Here’s where it gets interesting: the dealer’s bid can never create a perfect total of tricks bid by all players. This means someone is always going to be wrong, adding a delicious layer of uncertainty and risk.
- Bid or Be Bidded: Accurately predict how many tricks you’ll win, or face the consequences – usually in the form of zero points. Oh Hell offers various scoring methods, from rewarding exact bids to awarding points per trick and bonus points for successful predictions.
- Trick-Taking Triumph: Play those trump cards wisely and prepare to revel in the sweet taste of victory.
Why It’s Epic with 5 Players: Oh Hell is a highly engaging card game for 3-7 players, but with a five-player group, the game truly becomes epic. The bidding wars get fierce, the strategic plays get bolder, and the potential for those satisfying “I told you so” moments reaches an all-time high. Whether you’re a seasoned card shark or a casual player, Oh Hell offers a thrilling blend of strategy, skill, and just a dash of luck. If you’re seeking card games explicitly designed for five players, we have a treasure trove of other recommendations to explore!
15. Texas Hold’em Poker
Texas Hold’em Poker – the name alone conjures images of high-stakes showdowns and legendary card sharks. This iconic poker game is a captivating blend of skill, strategy, and a sprinkle of luck, where 2-10 players battle it out to create the best five-card poker hand.
- The Blinds Are Up: To kick off the action, two players post forced bets called the small blind and big blind.
- Hole Cards and Community Cards: Each player receives two hole cards face down – their secret weapons. Then, five community cards are dealt face up in three stages: the Flop (three cards), the Turn (one card), and the River (one card).
- Betting Rounds: After each stage, players engage in betting rounds, where they can bet, call, raise, or fold. The stakes can get high, especially in no-limit games where players can bet all their chips at any time!
- Showdown: If more than one player remains after the final betting round, it’s showdown time! Players reveal their hole cards, and the player with the best five-card hand, formed using any combination of their hole cards and the community cards, wins the pot.
Why 5 Players is Dynamic: With a full table of five players, Texas Hold’em becomes a whirlwind of bluffing, strategic betting, and unforgettable moments. It’s the perfect balance between showcasing individual skill and the thrill of reading your opponents’ poker faces. And who knows, you might even witness a dramatic showdown with a surprise hand that steals the pot!
16. Pinochle
Pinochle, the classic trick-taking and melding card game, has been enjoyed by generations of card players for a reason. It’s a unique blend of strategy, partnership, and a dash of luck, making for a truly captivating gaming experience.
- Double the Deck, Double the Fun: Pinochle is played with a special 48-card deck featuring two copies of each card from 9 to Ace in all four suits.
- Meld to Score: Form valuable card combinations, known as melds, to earn points. A run (A-10-K-Q-J of trump) will score you a cool 150 points, while a royal marriage (King and Queen of trump) nets you 40 points.
- Trick-Taking Triumph: After melding, the game shifts to trick-taking. Win tricks by playing the highest card of the led suit or trumping with a spade.
- Bidding Wars: In Partnership Pinochle, players engage in bidding wars to determine the trump suit for the round, adding a layer of strategic depth to the game.
Playing Pinochle with 5: While classic Pinochle is typically played with four players in two partnerships, you can adapt it for five players by rotating one player out each round. For a true five-player experience, try Cutthroat Pinochle, where each player competes individually for the highest score, creating a more competitive and unpredictable game. And if you’re seeking card games inherently designed for five players, we have a whole host of other suggestions to get your game night rolling!
17. Canasta
Canasta: Don’t let the name fool you – this isn’t your grandma’s card game (unless your grandma is a seriously competitive card shark!). Canasta, a member of the Rummy family, takes the excitement up a notch with a double deck, wild cards, and the thrill of building those glorious canastas – melds of seven or more cards.
- Meld Mania: Form melds (sets of three or more cards of the same rank) using a combination of natural cards and wild cards (2s and Jokers). You’ll need to meet a minimum point requirement to make your first meld, which varies based on your team’s score, adding an extra layer of strategy.
- Canasta Craze: Meld seven or more cards to create a Canasta, which will earn you a hefty chunk of points!
- Strategic Discarding: The discard pile is a battleground in Canasta. Use your wild cards or black 3s to “freeze” the pile, preventing your opponents from taking the card they need.
Why it’s Great for 5: Canasta is traditionally a four-player game played in partnerships, but it scales brilliantly for five players by simply dealing fewer cards at the beginning. With five players, the competition heats up, the strategic discarding becomes even more cutthroat, and those canastas seem to materialize out of thin air. If you’re looking for a card game that’s both strategic and thrilling, Canasta is a sure bet! However, if you’re specifically seeking games designed for five players, we have a whole host of other recommendations up our sleeve.
18. Euchre
Euchre: This classic trick-taking card game is all about partnerships, cunning trump card plays, and a healthy dose of friendly trash talk. Get ready for a game where the tables can turn in an instant, creating some seriously exciting moments.
- Trump Card Shenanigans: The trump suit changes with each round, making those Jacks (especially the powerful “Bowers”) the cards to watch.
- Order Up or Pass: Players bid on whether to make the flipped card’s suit trump – or risk it all by choosing a different suit. You can even “go alone” and try to win most of the tricks without your partner’s help!
- Trick-Taking Tactics: Win tricks by playing the highest card of the led suit, or trump your opponents’ best cards with a card from the trump suit.
Why It’s Adaptable for 5 (Kind Of): Traditional Euchre is typically played with four players (two teams of two), making partnerships crucial to success. However, with a bit of creativity, you can adapt Euchre for five players by rotating one player out each round. This adds a fun twist to the game, as the “outsider” might offer advice (or stir up some mischief) for those at the table. If you’re seeking card games specifically designed for five players, we have a treasure trove of other recommendations just waiting to be dealt!
