Games
Card games for two: Durak, Gin Rummy and Cribbage
Many card games feel thin with two players. These three work best that way.
Durak
Two-player Durak is a duel of memory. With no third player to throw in cards, each bout is between attacker and defender only, and once the stock is empty you can often work out your opponent's whole hand. Use the full 36-card deck, or a 24-card deck (nines to aces) for quick games. The rules are otherwise the same as for a bigger table, and an online game against a computer opponent is a patient way to practise the endgame.
Gin Rummy
Each player gets ten cards. On your turn you draw from the stock or take the top discard, then discard one card. The aim is to form melds: sets of three or four of a rank, or runs of three or more in one suit. You can knock to end the hand when your unmatched cards add up to ten points or less. Going gin, with every card in a meld, scores a bonus.
Cribbage
Each player gets six cards and puts two face down into the crib, which belongs to the dealer. Players then take turns laying cards and announcing the running total, scoring for reaching 15 or 31, for pairs and for runs. Hands and the crib are scored afterwards. Points are kept on a pegboard, and a standard game is played to 121.
The three games side by side
| Game | Deck | Extra kit | A typical game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durak | 36 cards (6 to ace) | None | A few minutes per round; play several rounds |
| Gin Rummy | 52 cards | Pen and paper for the score | Several hands, often played to 100 points |
| Cribbage | 52 cards | A cribbage board, or pen and paper | Played to 121 points, usually 20 to 30 minutes |
Choosing between them
Durak is the quickest to learn. Gin Rummy is the easiest to play while talking. Cribbage has the steepest learning curve and the most loyal players once they have learned it.