Party games
Loud, fast and full of laughter: games for a crowded room where nobody minds a bit of shouting or a lunge across the table.
- #1 Spoons Pass cards round the table until someone grabs a spoon – then everyone dives for the rest, and one hand comes up empty. Pass, spot the grab, dive for a spoon – nobody stays seated or quiet for long.
- #2 Cheat Play face down, claim whatever you like and keep a straight face – but if someone calls "Cheat!" and you lied, the pile is yours. Claim whatever you like with a straight face – until someone shouts "Cheat!"
- #3 Kemps Swap cards from the middle, collect four of a kind and give your partner the secret sign – before the others crack your code. Secret signals between partners and accusations flying across the table.
- #4 Egyptian Ratscrew Beggar-My-Neighbour with a slap – spot a double or a sandwich first and the whole pile is yours. Spot a double or a sandwich and slap first – hands collide and the pile changes owners.
- #5 Nertz Everyone plays their own patience at once – onto the same foundations. Empty your Nertz pile and shout "Nertz!" Everyone plays patience at once onto shared piles – frantic, noisy and made for a big table.
- #6 Mao The only rule we can tell you is this one – the rest you'll learn one penalty card at a time. Secret rules, penalty cards and the table trying not to laugh at the newcomer's mistakes.
- #7 Indian Poker Hold your card to your forehead – everyone sees it except you. Read their faces and bet on a card you can't see. Your card is on your forehead: everyone can see it except you – read their faces.
- #8 Truco Argentina's loud and lively bluffing game – three cards, three tricks, and a partner winking at you across the table as you shout "Truco!" Argentina's loud bluffing game: three cards, winks across the table and a shouted "Truco!"
- #9 Pig Pass cards round the circle as fast as you can, collect four of a kind – and don't be the last to touch your nose. Collect four of a kind, touch your nose – and don't be the last to notice.
- #10 Chase the Ace One card each – keep it or swap it with your neighbour, and don't be caught holding the lowest. One card each, keep or swap – it takes seconds to explain and works for twenty.