Card Games for Dummies

Amazon.com
Card Games for Dummies bills itself as "the fun and easy way to play and win your favorite card games." The book is broken down into different sections that broadly encompass the types of card games available: card-swapping games (gin and rummy), trick-taking games (whist and euchre), games where you try to score as many points as possible (pinochle), and games where you don't want to score any points at all (hearts). Each chapter starts with the fundamentals--the definition of a "trick," for example--and builds from there, progressing from the simplest games in each category to the more complex.

Written by journalist Barry Rigal, Card Games for Dummies is a nice companion piece to the more staid Complete Hoyle's Games. Unlike Hoyle's, Card Games for Dummies not only explains game mechanics, but gives you useful tips for play, provides the lowdown on strategy, and warns of the boneheaded blunders that you'd undoubtedly make if you'd been taught the rules and nothing more.

So if you've always wanted to learn cribbage, but never wanted to ask a friend for a tutorial, this is the book for you. One word of warning: if you want to learn how to play bridge, you won't find much here other than a synopsis of the rules and a recommendation for Bridge for Dummies. --Matthew Baldwin


Book Description
Playing cards is supposed to be fun, so don’t worry about having to study this book as if it’s a homework assignment. Card Games For Dummies focuses on the games that people play today all around the world, and walks you through them with plain-English explanations.

Regardless of how much experience you’ve had with card games, you’ll find something in this book for you. Absolute beginners will appreciate that the instructions for each game start at the very beginning level. If you’ve played a few card games before, maybe you’ll find a new game. However, coverage isn’t limited to a description of each game and a summary of the rules. Instead, each chapter offers hints on strategy, so even the experienced player can pick up something new and worthwhile.

Card Games For Dummies covers eight categories of games, grouped together based on the basic aim of the games. Get ready to explore several fun and friendly games in each of these categories: Exchanging Cards – Discover games in which the players try to improve their hand by taking a card from the deck and letting go of a card from their hand. These games include Rummy and Canasta. Trick-Taking Games – Everyone starts with the same number of cards, and during the play, each player takes a turn to play a card from his hand. Whoever plays the highest of those cards wins them all. These games include Whist, Euchre, Spades, and an introduction to Bridge. Don’t Score Any Points! – Instead of trying to score points, you try to avoid saddling yourself with points. These games include Hearts and Barbu. Score as Many Points as You Can! – The objective of all these games is to score points. These games include Pinochle, Piquet, Setback, and Clobyosh. Matching Cards – Try to get rid of all your cards as quickly as possible by matching them with other cards and then playing them onto a discard pile. These games include Eights and Fan Tan. Adding and Climbing Games – Yes, there is a bit of math involved in these games, but don’t let that stop you from experiencing exponential levels of fun! These games include Cribbage and President. Banking Games – In some games, players compete against a central authority figure, the Banker; in other banking games, everyone competes against one another. These games include Blackjack, Baccarat, and Poker. Specialty Games – Some of the best games are in a category all their own. These games include Solitaire (in its many forms) and classic children’s games such as Beggar My Neighbor, War, Go Fish, and Old Maid.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Are you tired of being left out when your friends want to play a card game you don't know? Do you want to discover the most popular variations of your favorite games? Do you want a hobby you can enjoy anywhere in the world? Card sharks of the world, beware!

With Card Games For Dummies at your fingertips, you'll have all the information you need in order to play and win the most popular card games. Filled with helpful tips, this book will have you playing like the pros in no time.