Card Games Using 2 Decks

By Neal Taparia - 8/7/2024

Card Games Using 2 Decks

Card games are a great way to relax while challenging your concentration and strategic thinking skills. If you’re looking for a challenge beyond playing traditional Solitaire or Spades for free online, there are many card games that use two decks of cards.

Many card games that use two decks are some variation of Solitaire, like Spider Solitaire. Other card games that require two decks include Deuces, Box Kite, Crazy Quilt, and Emperor.

Popular Two-Deck Card Games

Two-deck card games offer exciting variations on classic card games, increased complexity, longer gameplay, and can sometimes allow for more players to join in on the fun! Here are some of the top two-deck card games you can play:

Spider Solitaire

Spider Solitaire is a single-player two-deck card game that has the same goal as Solitaire‒build sequences in descending order from King to Ace. However, unlike a traditional game of Solitaire, Spider Solitaire requires the player to build eight sequences instead of four.

The player deals ten columns of cards with the top card face-up. Then, the player moves the face-up cards to build the descending sequences, alternating between red and black cards. The goal is to fill the empty columns with any applicable card or sequence.

If there are no applicable face-up cards, the player can deal a new row of cards. Continue playing until all of the sequences are completed or no more moves can be made. The game is only won once all eight sequences are completed.

Deuces

Deuces is a card game that requires three to eight players. Start by shuffling both decks of cards and dealing them evenly to all players. The goal is to be the first player to play all of their cards, winning the game.

Players will start by playing their lowest card and then play in ascending order regardless of suit. Deuces (twos) are considered wild cards and can be played at any time to represent any card in the game. Players must play cards that follow the sequence or pass on their turn if they cannot.

Box Kite

Box Kite requires two to four players with the goal to build four foundation piles that ascend from Ace (the lowest) to King (the highest). The dealer shuffles both decks of cards and then deals twelve cards face-up in a three-by-four grid. Players then build foundations starting with Aces as they appear.

Players then take turns moving the cards to build up the sequences in the tableau in descending order by alternating color. The empty spaces in the grid can be filled with any card. Players can draw cards from the stockpile if no moves are available and place those cards in the tableau. The game is over when all the foundation piles are complete or there are no more possible moves.

Crazy Quilt

Crazy Quilt is typically a one-player game, but can be adapted to accommodate two or more players if players take turns or work together to complete the game. The goal is to build eight foundation piles that ascend from Ace to King.

First, shuffle and layout eight cards face-up in a crisscross pattern that forms the ‘quilt.’ Then, move the exposed cards from the quilt or corner piles to the foundations, building up based on suit.

Only the top card of each corner pile and the outer cards of the quilt can be moved, though! Players continue to fill in gaps in the quilt using the stockpile and then keep moving the cards until all of the foundations are complete or there are no more possible moves.

Emperor

Emperor is a single-player game with the goal to build eight foundation piles from Ace to King by suit. First, players lay out ten tableau columns with four cards each with only the top card face-up. They leave space for four foundation piles and build in alternating colors on the tableau. Only one card can be moved at a time, but players can fill empty spaces with any card.

If no moves are available, players can fill the empty spaces with any card you draw from the stockpile. When drawing from the stockpile, place three cards at a time into the ‘waste’ pile with only the top card playable. Continue playing until all of the cards are on foundation piles or there are no more possible moves.

Online Card Games at Spades.co

Want to brush up on your card game strategy or learn about the symbolism behind playing cards and who invented playing cards? Check out our latest posts or play Spades for free now at Spades.co!