Cards on the Table: How Many Do You Need? Quiz

Baśka is a fast-paced, trick-taking card game that originated in Poland, specifically in the Kashubian region, during the 19th century. It remains popular in northern Poland today, especially among Kashubian communities. Its name is derived from a diminutive of the Polish name Barbara.

The game is played with a 16-card subset of a French deck, using only the Aces, Kings, Queens and Jacks of each suit (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades). This minimalist deck size makes Baśka unique and, despite its simplicity, highly strategic.

Typically played with four players forming two partnerships, Baśka incorporates elements such as bidding and trump suits, making it both easy to learn and challenging to master. It's celebrated as part of the Kashubian cultural heritage and is still played in tournaments and local gatherings.

Skærvindsel is a Danish card game for four players that belongs to the Schafkopf family. It originated in the 19th century, probably as a Danish adaptation of the old Bohemian game Scharwenzel, which spread to Denmark during the Napoleonic Wars. The name, which means, "cut windmill", probably refers to the action of cutting the cards or the spinning dynamic of the game itself.

It is played with a 28-card subset of a French deck, using the Nines through Aces of each suit (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades). Notably, Skærvindsel was the first Danish card game to introduce the Call-Ace mechanic, allowing the declarer (auction winner) to choose a partner by calling an Ace. This innovation later influenced other Danish games such as Call-Ace Whist (Esmakkerwhist).

Once widespread throughout Denmark, Skærvindsel is now mostly played in Jutland, where it is often spelled "Sjervinsel". Although its popularity has waned in modern times, it remains a part of Danish card playing traditions and is occasionally played at cultural events or as a family pastime.

Skat is a classic German card game for three players, known for its strategic depth and unique mechanics. It originated in the early 19th century in the town of Altenburg, Germany, where it was developed from older trick games such as Schafkopf. The name "Skat" comes from the Latin word "scata", meaning "to discard", referring to the two cards placed aside at the start of the game.

The game is played with a 32-card German deck, using cards from Sevens to Aces in each suit (Hearts, Bells, Acorns and Leaves). French-suited decks are also common, with the same card values. Each player bids for the right to be the declarer, who plays against the other two players to fulfil their contract.

Skat remains popular in Germany and beyond, often played socially or in organised tournaments. Its balance of luck and skill, combined with its historical roots, has made it Germany's national card game and a staple of card culture worldwide.

Mus is a traditional Spanish card game for four players, played in pairs. It is thought to have originated in the Basque Country in the 18th century, and its name is derived from the Basque word "musu", meaning "kiss", possibly referring to the gestures used during play. Another theory is that the word "mus" comes from the Latin "musso", meaning "to be silent".

The game is played with a 40-card Spanish deck that omits the Eights, Nines and Tens. The suits - Coins, Cups, Swords and Clubs - include cards from Ones (Aces) to Sevens, as well as Knaves, Knights and Kings. Players use bluffing, strategy and teamwork to outwit their opponents in a series of betting rounds.

Mus is widely played in Spain, especially in the Basque Country, where it is a symbol of regional identity. It is also popular in parts of Latin America and among Spanish expatriates, with numerous local variations and tournaments keeping the game alive.

Doppelkopf, often abbreviated to Doko, is a German card game for four players played in two alternating pairs. It originated in northern Germany in the 18th century as a variant of Schafkopf, the name meaning "double head", referring to the doubling of cards in the deck.

The game uses a 48-card double deck of French or German cards, typically combining two standard 24-card Schafkopf decks. This results in duplicates of the Nines, Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces in each suit. The inclusion of two copies of each card adds a layer of complexity to the game.

Doppelkopf is known for its dynamic rules, including bidding, trick taking and declaring special hands or contracts. It remains popular in Germany, particularly in the north, and is often played socially or in clubs, with official tournament rules regulated by the Deutscher Doppelkopf Verband (DDV).

Rummy is one of the most widely played card games in the world, renowned for its simplicity and adaptability. Its origins are debated, but it probably evolved from the Mexican game Conquian, which dates back to the 19th century. The name "rummy" is thought to derive from the slang term "rum", meaning strange or unusual.

The game is typically played with a 52-card French deck, using the standard suits - Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades - and cards from Twos to Aces. The object of the game is to make sets or sequences of cards by drawing and discarding. Variations of rummy, such as gin rummy and Indian rummy, often include jokers as wild cards.

Rummy has a global presence and is particularly popular in the United States, India and parts of Europe. Its versatility and simple rules have made it a staple of family gatherings, casual play and even online gaming platforms.

Tarocchini is a traditional Italian trick-taking card game, closely related to the tarot family of games. It originated in northern Italy, specifically in the 16th century, and remains popular in cities such as Bologna. The name "Tarocchini" means "little tarot", reflecting the use of a shortened tarot deck.

The game is played with a 62-card Italian-suited tarot deck, which includes 22 trump cards ("trionfi") and 40 suit cards in Coins, Cups, Swords and Batons. Suit cards include the usual Aces, numbered cards (2-10), and court cards (Knave, Knight and King). Some traditional decks omit certain numbered cards, creating the reduced pack used in Tarocchini.

Tarocchini is played in partnerships, with players bidding for contracts and competing to win tricks. Its strategic depth and historical connection to the tarot make it a popular pastime in Italy, especially in Bologna, where it has been preserved as part of the region's cultural heritage.

French Tarot is a traditional French trick-taking game for four players that traces its roots to the 15th century. It evolved from early Italian Tarot games and became popular in France in the 16th century. The name comes from the tarot deck, which is central to the game and iconic in European card history.

The game uses a 78-card French Tarot deck, consisting of 21 Trumps, a unique Excuse card (Fool) and four suits - Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades. Each suit contains cards from Aces to Kings. The deck was originally based on the Italian-made Tarot of Marseilles, which featured allegorical images from the Renaissance. In the late 19th century, the French-faced Tarot Nouveau replaced the Marseille deck, featuring fin de siècle scenes of French life for ease of play.

Although French Tarot's popularity waned in the 18th century, it experienced a revival in the 19th century and grew to become the second most popular card game in France, aided by the creation of the French Tarot Federation in 1973. Today it is played throughout the country in clubs, tournaments and casual settings.

Canasta is a rummy-style card game for 2 to 6 players, invented in 1939 by Segundo Santos and Alberto Serrato in Montevideo, Uruguay. Seeking to create an engaging and time-efficient alternative to bridge, they tested and refined the game with friends before introducing it to their local bridge club, the Jockey Club. The name "Canasta", Spanish for "basket", probably refers to the basket traditionally used to hold the cards.

Using two standard French decks of 52 cards plus four Jokers (108 cards in all), Canasta uses all ranks from Twos to Aces, with Twos and Jokers as wild cards. Players aim to make combinations of seven cards of the same rank, called "canastas", scoring points through strategic draws, discards and combinations.

After its success in South America, the game spread to the United States in 1949, where its rules were standardised by the New York Regency Club and South American experts. Canasta enjoyed massive popularity in the 1950s. While this popularity waned in the USA in the 1960s, it remains a popular game in South America, Europe and in Canasta leagues in the USA.

Baccarat (also spelled "Baccara") is a centuries-old card game believed to have originated in Italy in the late 15th century, before becoming popular in France, where it was a favourite of the nobility. Its name comes from the Italian word "baccara", meaning "zero", reflecting the value of the Tens and face cards in the game.

Played with 6 to 8 standard French decks of 52 cards shuffled together (312-416 cards), Baccarat has a simple structure in which players bet on the outcome of three possible hands: the banker, the player or a tie. The aim is to obtain a hand with a value as close to nine as possible, calculated by adding up the card values and discarding any tens. Baccarat has several popular variations, including Punto Banco, Chemin de Fer and Baccarat Banque, each with slightly different rules.

Baccarat spread around the world through the French colonies and is now a staple in casinos, particularly in Europe, Asia and North America, where it is popular with high rollers. Its elegance and relatively simple rules have made it a symbol of sophistication, often featured in films such as the James Bond series.