Tired of scrolling through endless lists of card games, only to find they’re either too complicated, too boring, or just not designed for a group of six? We get it! That’s why we’ve curated this list of the best card games for six people, featuring classic favorites like Hearts and Spades, strategic trick-taking games like Euchre, and hilarious party games that are guaranteed to liven up any gathering. Whether your group prefers team-based challenges, head-to-head battles, or just a good dose of laughter, we’ve got something for everyone. So ditch the board games, grab a deck of cards (or two), and get ready for an unforgettable game night experience!
Looking for card games for different group sizes? Check out these curated card game lists for two players, three players, four players, and five players.
1. 500
500, sometimes called 500 Rummy, is a classic card game that’s perfect for larger groups. It’s all about creating sets (like three Queens) or runs (sequences like 5, 6, 7 of Hearts), and the first player to reach 500 points wins! Games typically last around 30-45 minutes, offering a good balance between strategic depth and fast-paced gameplay. While 500 can be played with fewer, six players is the sweet spot, providing ample opportunity for competitive card-slinging action and those “did-they-just-take-that-from-the-discard-pile?” moments.
2. Blackjack
Blackjack, the casino card game that makes even doing your taxes seem exciting (almost!), is all about outsmarting the dealer. You’ll need to hit or stand strategically to get as close to 21 as possible without going bust. Games are notoriously fast-paced, often finishing in under 5 minutes. While you can usually find a spot at a casino table with 6 players, Blackjack is typically played with 2-7 players in a competitive, player-vs-house format. And don’t be fooled by its simple rules – mastering Blackjack strategy, from card counting to basic strategy, can take a lifetime.
3. Cornish Euchre
Cornish Euchre, a trick-taking card game hailing from Cornwall, England, takes the classic Euchre experience to a whole new level. We’re talking teams of three, a massive 50-card deck (including those mysterious “Bennies” – AKA Jokers), and enough strategic twists to make your head spin. Games are a bit longer than your average Euchre match, clocking in around 30-45 minutes, but that just means more time for cunning bidding, triumphant trump-calling, and of course, the hilarious consequences of team-based communication (or miscommunication, as the case may be). If you’re looking for a card game that demands both strategy and a healthy dose of teamwork, grab five friends and get ready for some epic Cornish Euchre showdowns.
4. Scopa
Scopa, a beloved trick-taking card game with roots in Italy, perfectly captures the spirit of a lively Italian gathering (even if your “piazza” is just your dining room table). The goal is to strategically capture cards by “sweeping” the table, earning points for specific combinations. Games are relatively quick, usually lasting around 20-30 minutes, but be warned: Scopa is highly addictive, and one round often leads to another! While traditionally played with 2-4 players, Scopa can be easily adapted for larger groups like six players by forming teams. So grab a deck of cards, channel your inner Italian, and get ready for some competitive card-playing fun!
5. Hearts
Hearts – the trick-taking card game that’s as sweet as it is strategic (emphasis on the strategic). Don’t be fooled by the seemingly innocent goal of avoiding heart cards (and that dreaded Queen of Spades) – this game is a masterclass in competitive card play. Games usually last around 20-30 minutes, but that’s assuming nobody pulls out any epic card-passing mind games (we see you!). While classic Hearts is best with 3-4 players, those feeling adventurous can easily adapt the rules for larger groups, like six players, with a couple of tweaks and an extra deck. And for those who like to live on the edge? Attempt the infamous “Shoot the Moon” to completely flip the scoring—but be warned, it’s a high-risk, high-reward maneuver.
6. Six Card Golf
Six Card Golf – the name says it all! This casual card game, also known as a shedding game, is perfect for those who prefer their “golf” with a side of snacks and zero athletic ability required. The goal? Using strategic card-swapping, you’ll try to create the lowest-scoring hand of six cards. Games are quick and engaging, typically wrapping up in 20-30 minutes. While enjoyable with 2-6 players, Six Card Golf really shines with larger groups (the more, the merrier!), making it ideal for those game nights when you just can’t narrow down the guest list. So grab a deck of cards, embrace the laid-back golfing spirit (without the questionable fashion choices), and get ready for some easy-to-learn, fast-paced fun.
7. Oh Hell
Oh Hell – the trick-taking card game that’s as unpredictable as life itself (and just as much fun, thankfully). In Oh Hell, you’re not just trying to win tricks, you’re bidding on exactly how many you’ll win. Sounds easy? Think again. This game is easy to learn, but notoriously difficult to master, with games typically lasting a breezy 15-20 minutes (unless a particularly heated bidding war erupts – which, let’s be honest, is part of the fun). While playable with 3-7 players, Oh Hell really hits its stride with 4-6 players, offering the perfect balance of strategic depth and competitive chaos. So grab a deck of cards, channel your inner psychic, and get ready for some hilariously unpredictable card-playing action.
8. Pitch
Pitch. The very name evokes images of intense card battles, and for good reason. This trick-taking card game is a masterclass in strategic bidding, knowing when to bluff, and when to slam down that winning hand. Games typically wrap up in a brisk 15-25 minutes, but the competitive spirit can get fierce as players vie for points by capturing high and low trump, the jack, and winning the most card points (aka “Game”). While playable with 2-4 players, Pitch truly shines with four players (often in partnerships), but you can easily adapt it for six players by forming teams. There are even a bunch of variations with unique scoring and bidding rules, ensuring endless strategic possibilities. So, grab a deck of cards, hone your poker face, and get ready for some thrilling Pitch action.
9. Spoons
Spoons – the matching card game that’s less about strategy, more about lightning-fast reflexes and a healthy dose of good-natured chaos (plus maybe a bit of “accidental” elbowing, but we won’t judge). In Spoons, you’re rapidly passing cards around the table, trying to be the first to collect a four-of-a-kind. And when you do? Grab a spoon! But watch out, there’s one fewer spoon than players, so the slowest person gets left empty-handed. Games are insanely fast-paced, usually over in under 5 minutes, making Spoons the perfect party game for kids and families who love a good dose of laughter-inducing mayhem. While playable with 3 or more players, Spoons really shines with a larger group (like 6 or more players), turning every round into a hilarious frenzy of card-slapping, spoon-grabbing madness. Just make sure to clear some space—things can get a bit… animated.
10. Zheng Shangyou
Zheng Shangyou, also known as “Pits,” is a climbing card game of Chinese origin that will put your strategic card-playing skills to the test. Think of it as a distant, more sophisticated relative of those “get rid of your cards first” games you might have played as a kid. In Zheng Shangyou, you’ll be playing sets, runs, and even tricky multi-card combinations to outmaneuver your opponents. The first two players to empty their hands score points, while the last two are stuck in the dreaded “Pit,” a penalty that carries over to the next round. Games are typically fast-paced, lasting around 20-30 minutes, but the strategic depth and cutthroat competition will keep you hooked for hours. While playable with 4 or more players, Zheng Shangyou really shines with 5-6 players, creating a perfect storm of calculated plays and frantic card-slinging action.
11. Palace
Palace, also known as Shed or Karma, is the shedding card game that’s equal parts strategy and mayhem. Imagine a delightful fusion of Crazy Eights and that classic game of “War” but with a unique twist: each player has a hidden “Palace” of face-down cards, adding an element of surprise and strategic planning. Those pesky wild 2s and pile-nuking 10s? They only amplify the chaos, turning every game into a tense, unpredictable battle. Games typically last around 15-25 minutes, but time really does fly when you’re locked in a card-playing duel. While Palace works with 2-6 players, the more, the merrier! Grab two decks for larger groups and prepare for some truly epic card-slinging action. Just be ready for anything – accusations of card-counting, strategic “spoon-feeding,” and maybe even a little (or a lot) of table-thumping excitement are all part of the fun.
12. Canasta
Canasta – it’s not just your grandma’s card game (though she probably loves it, too). This Rummy-style card game, known for its strategic depth and thrilling gameplay, is all about forming melds (matching sets of cards) and building those coveted canastas (melds of seven or more cards, worth a boatload of points). Games typically last around 30-60 minutes, but time becomes irrelevant when you’re battling over that infamous “frozen discard pile” and racing to reach 5000 points before your opponents. While playable with 2-6 players, Canasta truly shines as a partnership game, with teams of two or three battling it out for card-melding supremacy. So grab a friend (or five), unleash your inner strategist, and prepare for some epic Canasta showdowns!
13. Pinochle
Pinochle – this ain’t your average trick-taking card game. Imagine the lovechild of Euchre and Rummy, with a dash of strategic brilliance and a unique 48-card deck (double the face cards, double the fun!). You’ll be bidding, winning tricks, and melding card combinations like “runs”, “marriages”, and (if you’re really lucky) the coveted “Double Pinochle” or even an “Around”. Games usually last around 30-45 minutes, but trust me, the strategic depth and intense competition will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time. While classic Pinochle is typically played with 2-4 players in partnerships or 3 players in a cutthroat “every player for themselves” format, you can get creative and adapt the rules for 6 players with some modifications. So gather your friends, brush up on those melding combinations, and get ready for a card game experience unlike any other.
14. Spades
Spades – this isn’t your casual after-dinner card game. Spades is a trick-taking card game and a partnership game where strategic bidding, ruthless trumping (because Spades are always trump), and a healthy dose of mind games reign supreme. You’ll be working with your partner to predict exactly how many tricks you can win, and those daring “nil bids” (bidding zero tricks)? They can lead to glorious victory or crushing defeat (with a 100-point penalty for failure). Games usually wrap up in a brisk 15-25 minutes, but the tension can be palpable as you try to avoid those pesky “bags” (extra tricks that can backfire). While classic Spades is designed for four players, feel free to get creative and adapt the rules for a six-player showdown. Just be prepared for some seriously heated bidding wars and maybe a few overturned tables (metaphorically, of course… unless things get really intense).
15. Cribbage
Cribbage – this classic card game, with its roots in 17th-century England, is a delightful blend of strategy, skill, and just a dash of luck. It’s all about forming clever card combinations, scoring points through a unique system (you’ll be counting to 15 more than you ever thought possible), and trying to “skunk” your opponent (that’s Cribbage lingo for winning by a significant margin). Games usually last around 20-30 minutes, but be warned: those minutes can fly by in a flurry of “pegging” (laying down cards and racking up points) and trying to outmaneuver your opponent. While Cribbage is traditionally played with two players, you can easily adapt it for larger groups like six players by breaking into teams and using multiple Cribbage boards. So grab a deck of cards, find yourself a Cribbage board, and prepare for a card game experience that’s both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
16. Gin Rummy
Gin Rummy – this isn’t your grandma’s casual card game (unless your grandma is a card shark, that is). Gin Rummy is a matching card game and a rummy card game for two players, a head-to-head battle of wits where strategy, memory, and a touch of cunning are your best weapons. You’ll be racing to create melds (sets or runs of cards) while trying to reduce your deadwood (unmatched cards) to zero. The first player to “knock” (declare they have low deadwood) has a chance to win the round, but beware – your opponent might be able to “undercut” you with even lower deadwood! Games are typically fast-paced, lasting around 10-20 minutes. While Gin Rummy is traditionally a two-player game, you can easily host a Gin Rummy tournament for a larger group, like six players, by dividing into pairs and playing multiple rounds. So grab a partner, brush up on your card-playing skills, and get ready for an intense, strategic showdown!
17. Phase 10
Phase 10 – it’s like Rummy, but with a whole lot more excitement! This shedding-style card game is a race to complete 10 unique “phases” of card combinations, from sets and runs to cards of the same color. You’ll be drawing, discarding, and strategically using those Wild cards to outmaneuver your opponents (and maybe throw in a few Skip cards for good measure). Games typically last around 30-45 minutes, but the fast-paced gameplay and unpredictable twists will keep you on the edge of your seat. While playable with 2-6 players, Phase 10 really comes alive with a full table, turning every round into a competitive dash to the finish line. So gather your friends, brush up on those card combinations, and get ready for a card game that’s both easy to learn and incredibly fun to play!
18. Uno
Uno – remember those epic family card game nights that ended with someone getting hit with a “Draw Four” card? Yeah, Uno is the shedding card game that brings out the competitive spirit in everyone. It’s ridiculously easy to learn, yet surprisingly challenging to master. You’ll be matching colors, numbers, and symbols to be the first to empty your hand, but watch out for those action cards – they can quickly turn the tide of the game! Games are notoriously fast-paced, typically lasting around 10-15 minutes, but be warned, things can get a bit chaotic (in the best way possible) when you’ve got a full table of players. While Uno can be played with 2-10 players, it’s even more fun with a larger group – think four or more players – turning every round into an unpredictable frenzy of card-slinging action. Just remember to shout “UNO!” before playing your second-to-last card, or face the dreaded two-card penalty (and the relentless teasing from your opponents, of course).
