These Will Make You The MVP of Any Get-Together

Looking for easy to play card games that won't have you reading instruction manuals until your eyes bleed? We've got you. 

Whether you need fun card games with two people for those cosy nights in, easy card games for two players to keep date night interesting, or card games for three when your mate inevitably crashes your romantic evening, we've compiled the ultimate guide to games that are simple to learn but impossible to put down.

Let's be honest – nobody wants to spend half their evening deciphering rules that read like they were written by a particularly vindictive lawyer. These games get straight to the point: maximum laughs, minimum faff.

1. That's Crypto, Bro!

Players: 3-6 | Time: 20-30 mins | Complexity: Easy as buying your first overpriced NFT

Perfect for anyone who's ever wondered what all the blockchain fuss is about (without actually wanting to understand it).

This is crypto culture served up with a generous helping of taking-the-piss. You'll be trading imaginary coins, making wild predictions, and probably losing your shirt – just like real crypto!

Who'd love this: Your tech-bro cousin who won't shut up about his "portfolio," or anyone who enjoys watching financial bubbles burst from the safety of their sofa. Makes a brilliant gift for that friend who's always banging on about the "next big thing."

2. Poopy McPoopface

Players: 2-6 | Time: 15-20 mins | Complexity: Easier than toilet training

Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like, and yes, it's absolutely brilliant. This cheeky little number has you laying poop cards while giggling like a five-year-old. 

Don't let the juvenile humour fool you – there's actual strategy hiding behind all that toilet talk. And it's pitched at the perfect level for adults who want to act like kids, as well as kids who want to learn basic math.

Who'd love this: Anyone who still finds fart jokes funny (so, basically everyone). Perfect for breaking the ice at parties, entertaining kids who think they're too cool for "baby games," or giving your stuck-up brother-in-law something to really complain about at Christmas dinner.

3. Piles

Players: 2-8 | Time: Under 10 mins | Complexity: Easier than stacking actual piles of laundry

Fast, frantic, and absolutely addictive – Piles is the card game equivalent of a shot of espresso.

With 200 cards and rules so simple you'll grasp them before your mate finishes explaining why they're terrible at card games, this one's all about quick thinking and quicker reflexes.

Every game's different, so you'll never get bored (unlike that one friend who always suggests Monopoly).

Who'd love this: Anyone with the attention span of a goldfish, families who can't agree on anything else, and people who like their entertainment served fast and fierce. Perfect for that relative who claims they "don't have time for games" – 10 minutes is all you need to prove them wrong.

4. Chunky Monkey Business

Players: 2-4 | Time: 15-25 mins | Complexity: Simple enough for actual monkeys

This isn't your standard card game – it's banana-based chaos that'll have you swinging from the chandeliers (metaphorically, please don't actually do that).

Quick rounds, simple rules, and enough silliness to make even the most serious person crack a smile.

Who'd love this: Kids who think they're too grown-up for "silly" games, adults who secretly miss being kids, and anyone who appreciates a good pun. Perfect stocking filler for the family member who has everything except a sense of fun.

5. Grab the Mic

Players: 3-8 | Time: 20-30 mins | Complexity: Easier than karaoke after three drinks

Part singing game, part card game, all embarrassment. You'll be belting out tunes, making up lyrics, and probably scarring your neighbours for life.

It's like karaoke night crashed into a card game and decided to stay for the party.

Who'd love this: Shower singers, wannabe rock stars, and anyone who's ever drunkenly grabbed a microphone at a wedding. Ideal for hen dos, birthday parties, or any gathering where dignity is optional.

6. Solitaire: The "Netflix & Actually Chill" Edition

Players: 1 (obviously) | Time: However long you've got | Complexity: Relaxing as Sunday morning

Look, we could suggest regular old solitaire, but where's the fun in that? Instead, why not spice it up with the "Reality TV Drinking Game" version?

Every time you get stuck, take a sip of your drink and judge a reality TV contestant. Every successful move means you get to slag off another terrible dating show. It's solitaire, but make it social commentary.

Who'd love this: People who enjoy their own company, anyone currently avoiding human interaction, and reality TV addicts who need something to do with their hands while judging other people's life choices.

7. Slapjack: The "Workplace Stress Relief" Version

Players: 2-6 | Time: 10-15 mins | Complexity: As simple as your most annoying colleague

Traditional Slapjack is fun, but our version has a twist. Every jack represents a different workplace annoyance (the meeting that could've been an email, the person who microwaves fish in the office kitchen, the colleague who replies-all to company-wide emails).

When you slap the jack, you get to vent about that specific workplace horror. It's therapy disguised as a card game.

Who'd love this: Anyone with a job, anyone who's ever had a job, and anyone currently avoiding getting a job. Perfect for office Secret Santa exchanges or team-building events (if your HR department has a sense of humour).

8. 52 Card Pickup: The "Life Skills" Edition

Players: 1 (the picker-upper) and at least 1 (the evil mastermind) | Time: 30 seconds to play, 5 minutes to clean up | Complexity: Requires opposable thumbs

We've all been there – someone throws the cards everywhere and cheerfully announces "52 Card Pickup!" while you're left doing the actual work.

But here's the thing: it's actually a legitimate game now. Set a timer, see who can pick up the most cards, add ridiculous challenges (hop on one foot, use your non-dominant hand, do it while singing the national anthem).

Who'd love this: People who enjoy turning mundane tasks into competitions, anyone training for the world's most specific Olympics, and that one friend who always volunteers others for cleanup duty. Great for teaching kids that cleaning up can be fun (results may vary).

9. War: The "Diplomatic Relations" Version

Players: 2-4 | Time: 5 minutes to forever | Complexity: Diplomatic immunity not required

Standard War is just flipping cards, but our version requires negotiation. When cards match, instead of automatically going to war, players can engage in "diplomatic relations" – trading insults, compliments, or embarrassing secrets to avoid conflict.

Winner takes all, relationships may suffer.

Who'd love this: Aspiring politicians, people who enjoy psychological warfare, and anyone who's ever wanted to monetise their trauma. Perfect for couples who've run out of things to argue about.

10. Go Fish: The "Social Media Stalking" Edition

Players: 3-6 | Time: 15-20 mins | Complexity: Requires basic internet literacy

Instead of asking for random cards, players must "fish" for information about each other's social media habits. "Do you have any embarrassing photos from 2019?" "Got any cringey political posts?" It's Go Fish meets digital detox therapy.

Who'd love this: Social media addicts, people who enjoy mild public humiliation, and anyone who's ever deep-liked an ex's Instagram post from three years ago. Warning: may cause temporary deletion of social media accounts.

The Final Deal

There you have it – easy to play card games that range from the delightfully daft to the surprisingly strategic.

Whether you're after fun card games for two people, need something for a crowd, or just want to confuse your relatives at the next family gathering, these games deliver the goods without the grief.

Remember, the best card game is the one that gets everyone laughing, arguing, or both. Life's too short for boring entertainment, so why not make every game night memorable? After all, anyone can play poker – it takes real character to explain why you're giggling over cartoon poop cards.

Ready to get your game on? Check out our full collection of sublimely ridiculous games and discover your next party essential. Because normal is overrated, and predictable is just plain boring.