Playing card games is a great way to keep your mind active. Unfortunately, you may not always have other people around whom you can play with. The solution is to play card games online. There are many options to play for free without the need to download anything. Use them to stay entertained when you want to have some relaxing time by yourself, to practice ahead of time for tournaments with the family, or to invite friends to play with you, no matter where they’re located.
1. CardGames.io
The aim of CardGames.io is to provide all your favorite games in one place, making them accessible with a simple interface. Each game has just one set of rules, meaning you won’t need to check how to play before you start if you’re already familiar with the game — it won’t be a variation on the classic rules. You can play on your own or against a computer, which feels like playing against a human. If you use the same browser each time you play, the website will keep track against of your statistics.
- Games available: 43 in total, including hearts, solitaire, spades, FreeCell, cribbage, gin rummy, and canasta
- Account required? No
2. Crazy Games
To play against real people, head to Crazy Games and filter by two-player or multiplayer games. The website also has a selection of solo card games, including several where you need to win at solitaire to find out what happens next in a story. To save your progress on a game, you’ll need to create an account, but signing up isn’t necessary to access any of the games.
- Games available: Around 60 card games as well as driving games, third-person shooters, mahjong, and many other types
- Account required? Optional
3. World of Card Games
Another place to play against real people is World of Card Games. There are tables available for each of the games — you can join one that already exists or set up a new one yourself, either for anyone to join or just for the people you invite. You can also fill any extra spaces on your table with bots. Since you’ll be able to chat with other players, you may start seeing familiar faces and making connections if you play often.
By creating an account, you’ll have access to more features, including the chance to join ranked tables (which are just for experienced players) and more options when you set up your own table. If you want to gain more experience, you can practice games agains bots first — this is also a good option if no one is available for a game you want to play.
- Games available: 10 in total, including hearts, spades, euchre, gin rummy, pinochle, go fish, twenty-nine, and sergeant major
- Account required? Optional
4. Solitaired
As the name suggests, Solitaired specializes in solo games. It offers nine variations of solitaire as well as various versions of spider, FreeCell, and Yukon. There are also three trick-taking games, for if you’d prefer to play against others (although they are all computer-generated players). You have the option to create an account to save your stats, which include your win percentage, best score, and streak.
- Games available: 21 solitaire games, plus four card, tile, and dice games and four word games
- Account required? Optional
5. Arkadium
The games Arkadium produces are so good that they’re also available on other websites, including USA Today and AARP. Better yet, even though AARP requires you to be a member to play some of the games, they’re all free on Arkadium, making this a top place to go for your card game fix. Arkadium is also the creator of the Microsoft Solitaire Collection, which is preinstalled on your computer if it runs Windows. In addition to card games, the website has strategy and brain games, crosswords, and a couple multiplayer games.
- Games available: 20 card games in total, plus several other types of games
- Account required? Optional
6. Solitaire Bliss
If all you’re looking for is some simple solo card games, head to Solitaire Bliss. What makes this website special is it releases daily challenges with leaderboards for the best time and fewest moves. Both logged-in players and anonymous players can make it to these rankings. All the games in the daily challenges have a guaranteed solution, making them less frustrating.
- Games available: Seven in total — solitaire draw 1 and draw 3, spider with one, two, and four suits, FreeCell, and Yukon
- Account required? Optional
7. 24.7 Solitaire
Another option to play solo card games with a simple interface is 24.7 Solitaire. The website offers some variations on the regular versions and different cards to choose from to keep things interesting, including seasonal designs for occasions like Halloween, Easter, and New Year’s. There are also card games to play against the computer, including bridge, spades, and blackjack. Plus, you’ll find other games like sudoku, chess, minesweeper, and pinball.
- Games available: Around 30 solitaire games (including variations) and around 25 other games
- Account required? No
8. Solitr.com
Likely the most basic interface you’ll find to play free card games online is Solitr.com. It’s extra easy to use and has no unnecessary features. You can toggle between four games at the top of the screen, choose your settings under “Options” (such as the version, difficulty, and whether your score shows), and click “Undo” to reverse a move.
- Games available: Just four — solitaire, spider, mahjong, and sudoku
- Account required? No
9. AOL
If you have been online since the early days of the internet, you may have fond memories of AOL. It hasn’t stopped existing — one thing you can use it for is free games. There are options to play against the computer or ask friends to play with you. As well as card games, you’ll find board, casino, and puzzle games.
- Games available: Around 40 card games, plus many more of other types
- Account required? No
10. Spider Solitaire
If spider is the only game you want to play, there’s no reason to go anywhere other than Spider Solitaire. This game requires a great deal of strategy, especially if you play the more difficult versions. Learn the rules with one-suit spider, test your abilities at a two-suit game, and finally, when you’re ready, give yourself a challenge with four suits. The website will save your stats, meaning you can try to beat your highest scores.
- Games available: Just spider — one, two, and four suits
- Account required? No
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