This is one of my favourite games because it doesn't take long to play the rules are simple and there's the dramatic possibility of starting out badly, but ultimately winning the game, and vice versa. There are variations for three people, but they're at their best when you play with just two. Most multiplayer card games can be scaled up or down to accommodate more or fewer players and the games mentioned here are no exception. They range from the straightforward to the complex, and all can be played with a standard 52-card deck.

If you decide to play them, I hope they serve you similarly well. I'm passionate about a wide variety of games, whether they be board, tabletop or card games, and the ones listed here are what I've played most often and that bring back the best memories. I was six years old when I played my first card in a game of Crazy Eights, and I've dealt countless hands since then. For me, card games were integral to my childhood: I grew up playing cards with my parents and three siblings.

They're social, portable and inexpensive (unless you're gambling with money), and the rules are easy to learn. Card games have entertained people for centuries and have always been a great way to pass time.

5 card draw rules