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Poker is, without a doubt, one of the most popular card games in the world. The standard rules for the game were established in the 19th century, in the United States of America. However, said rules were based on similar games from all over Europe. Which means, the history of poker likely dates back much further, most likely to France.
Today, poker is a staple of most casinos, with even whole tournaments dedicated solely to the game. Not to mention, poker has quite the presence in popular culture, from films, to television, to literature, and even art. Which begs the question; what card games come close to the popularity of poker? In this article, we will attempt to answer that question.
Blackjack
Blackjack is what one might call a casino banking game. In fact, it is the most popular casino banking game in the world, as it features some of the best player odds out of any casino game. Blackjack uses standard 52-card decks. However, many casinos use multiple decks, in order to stack the odds in their favor. Still, even with multiple decks, blackjack is still one of the most beloved and played card games around the world.
What is more, blackjack also has a huge online following. With the rise of iGaming, online casinos are becoming more and more popular. Certainly, one of the most popular games at these websites is online blackjack [3]. In theory, it is similar to the land-based counterpart. Players gamble against the dealer, who in this case happens to be an A.I. The only difference is that in online blackjack, counting cards is a lot harder, or downright impossible.
Solitaire
We’ve all found ourselves alone, without any internet, and only a pack of cards to entertain us. Whether it was while on vacation, or during a blackout, in that situation there is only one thing to do; play solitaire. Possibly the most popular card game in the world, solitaire has just as many variants as poker, if not more, which explains the popularity of the game.
For the unaware, solitaire is a single-player card game, the objective in which is to sort the cards in a proper order. The order is determined based on the version of the game that you are playing. However, the ultimate goal is always the same; sort the cards into four different piles based on the suits. Surprisingly fun, and incredibly addictive [4], there is no denying that solitaire is one of the most popular card games in the world.
The game is also known as Patience around various European countries, as a game can take quite a while to win. Many have stated that Solitaire can have a positive effect on memory, concentration, and even childhood development. Which also explains why there are so many different versions of the game. Some of the most popular are the following:
- Klondike
- Spider Solitaire
- Magic Solitaire
Magic: The Gathering
Switching over to trading card games, let us take a look at one of the most successful TCGs in the world today, Magic: The Gathering. As you can gather based on the name, Magic: The Gathering is a fantasy-based card game, where the goal is to reduce your opponent’s life points to zero. To do so, you can summon creatures and activate different effect spells.
What is most fascinating about Magic: The Gathering is that it builds its own unique world, and tells a story just through the card art. The lore of Magic: The Gathering is incredibly deep, and goes back to the 90s, when the fist pack was released. The lore helps to immerse players within the card game’s universe. However, it also functions as a double-edged sword, as it can completely ruin your day [5] if you have a losing streak.
Still, Magic: The Gathering’s fans are numerous, and they are all incredibly dedicated. Tournaments organized by Wizards of the Coasts are always attended by a large number of people, who are all interested in testing their skills against fellow players.
For the unaware, Magic: The Gathering is also owned by the company behind the hit P&PRPG game, Dungeons and Dragons. Much of the lore and races that can be found in Magic: The Gathering has been implemented in D&D, so fans of both can really enjoy immersing themselves in both worlds.