Card games are really fun. They don’t take as much brainpower as strategy games but aren’t oversimple like casual games. They’re perfect for your daily commute or for killing time. There are a plethora of card games available, whether you’re on Android or iOS.
With that being said, here are some of the best card games available on mobile.
1. Ascension
Ascension is perhaps one of the most eccentric card games on the list. It has beautiful graphics and exceptional artwork that make you fall in love with it. Unlike most card games, Ascension doesn’t require you to grind much.
Much of the gameplay in Ascension is luck-based, so much so that some people think it’s like gambling. Despite this, it’s a great card game with good gameplay and excellent touch controls. However, some cards do feel incomplete with regards to artwork.
Download from Google Play Store
2. Blackjack 21
If you want something to kill time with, Blackjack 21 is probably your best bet. It has straightforward gameplay of gambling on having a better hand than your opponent. However, the game itself can be really vexing at times since you might lose a lot.
Blackjack 21 is a godsend. It’s quite literally gambling, but with in-game currency. Additionally, it also doesn’t require an internet connection but has in-game ads when you’re connected. These ads can be intrusive at times, but really that’s the only drawback.
With regard to gameplay, Blackjack 21 is next to flawless. It also doesn’t require much storage space, which is a huge plus.
3. Card Thief
Card Thief is one of the most challenging card games on this list. As the name suggests, you’re a thief who has to stealthily navigate through decks of cards to get the treasure. To this end, you can have cards that assist you.
Moreover, the game offers daily challenges, which are actually challenging. You need some deep thought to win in this game. The harder a heist is, the more rewarding it is. There’s quite the learning curve, but if you’re up for it, Card Thief is one of the most intriguing card games out there.
Download from Google Play Store
4. Clue
If you’re a fan of Cluedo, then you’ll love Clue. It plays similar to Cluedo, as players find clues and try to guess who the killer is. You collect cards that include the location of the murder, the murder weapon used, as well as the culprit.
Clue has been gaining popularity in recent times. It only costs $2 to play, though it does have some microtransactions here and there. Regardless, those are purely optional and aren’t needed to continue playing. It’s not exactly a tried-and-true card game since it plays a lot similar to Cluedo, but it’s still an excellent card game.
Download from Google Play Store
5. Cribbage With Grandpas
Perhaps one of the most interesting card games on this list, Cribbage with Grandpas is exactly as the name suggests. You sit down at a table playing old-school Cribbage with your dear grandpa.
What’s really fun about this game is that you can customize the grandpa. You can change his looks and his personality, to an extent. Furthermore, the dialogue of the grandpa can be really funny at times. We highly recommend this card game if you want a new experience, unlike others. It’s really unique and is very wholesome.
Download from Google Play Store
6. Cultist Simulator
Cultist Simulator is one of the more eccentric card games here. It’s a rogue-type game where you’re a cult leader. As the leader of a cult, you’re tasked with searching for the ultimate wisdom.
This game allows you to combine cards in order to achieve certain tasks. Doing these tasks will help fulfill your overall goal. Cultist Simulator is filled with surprises, exciting occurrences, and weird puzzles. It’s best to go into this one blind.
Download from Google Play Store
7. Evolution: The Video Game
Evolution: The Video Game is similar to old-school world-building games. In it, you guide humanity through various time periods. You do this all while governing the population and available food among others.
There’s a survival mode where you try to live with your people for as long as you can. But there’s also a campaign in which you navigate through challenging puzzles to get to the next level. The online multiplayer in this game is also nothing to scoff at.
Download from Google Play Store
8. Exploding Kittens
By far one of the funniest card games out there, Exploding Kittens is a ton of fun to play with your friends. In the deck are bombs that kill you if you draw them. Though, players do have to defuse cards to keep them alive. The objective is to sabotage your opponents’ cards and be the last one alive.
Exploding Kittens isn’t your run-of-the-mill type of card game. You can’t really play it alone. You need to play with people. But when you do play with friends, it’s always a fun experience. For get-togethers, Exploding Kittens is the way to go.
Download from Google Play Store
9. Hearts Mobile
Let’s go back to the classics. If you’ve ever played Hearts in your entire life, you will love this game. To win, you have to avoid getting the scoring cards. The game is over when one player out of four gets more than 100 points, and the winner is the one with the lowest score.
The core mechanic of Hearts is the luck of the draw. Since you win by getting the lowest score, you have to pray that the card you’ll get isn’t a King or a Queen. Or you can “Shoot the Moon,” which adds or takes away 26 points from your opponents. Hearts Mobile also doesn’t require a lot of storage space, being quite a small game.
Download from Google Play Store
10. Krosmaga
Krosmaga is a physical and digital card game. It’s like a tower defense game, but with cards. It has intuitive gameplay and is fun once you get used to it. Initially released in 2016, it now has a decent player base.
Like most good card games, Krosmaga allows you to choose between a set deck or building your own. The progression system is also quite rewarding since there are a lot of cards you unlock as you play. You’ll always be changing your deck because of the influx of new cards. It’s free and is one of the most innovative card games on this list.
Download from Google Play Store
11. Miracle Merchant
Imagine being the apprentice of an alchemist who has to cater to customers’ needs. That’s what Miracle Merchant is all about. In this game, you need to create potions that your customers want. You’ll be given cards at random that can either make or break the potion you’re creating.
Miracle Merchant was created by TinyTouchTales, who is famous for creating numerous other excellent card games. It’s quite an unconventional game, but it’s fun nonetheless. It’s a nice game to kill time with, though its gameplay can become boring after a while.
Download from Google Play Store
12. Microsoft Solitaire Collection
Solitaire is a classic for anyone who’s had a history with card games. And luckily, Microsoft took it upon themselves to create a whole collection. All five solitaire game modes in one app. If you like Solitaire even in the slightest, you should check this out.
You have Klondike Solitaire, Spider Solitaire, Freecell Solitaire, Tri-Peaks Solitaire, and Pyramid Solitaire. It’s quite literally a collection of the best solitaire games in one. Plus, if you have an Xbox Live account, you can use it to sign in and earn achievements. The best part? It’s free.
Download from Google Play Store
13. Phase 10: World Tour
If you’ve ever played Phase 10, then consider trying Phase 10: World Tour out. It takes the original Phase 10 and gives you stages to complete. Each stage has its very own card set to complete, and the game gets more challenging with each new phase.
There are daily challenges to complete in addition to the main stages. You can play this game offline or play with friends. Phase 10: World Tour was also created by the same people behind the Uno mobile game. It’s mostly a casual card game, but it’s all good fun.
Download from Google Play Store
14. Pokerstars Poker: Texas Holdem
Being one of the most hyped games currently on mobile, Pokerstars allows you to play poker from your phone. It’s beginner-friendly, giving you a short tutorial and punishing you too much for the wrong moves.
You’d think this game would make you wager real money, but that’s not the case at all. In Pokerstars, you can simply wager in-game currency. It’s perfect for practicing poker, and the online multiplayer is also extremely fun.
Download from Google Play Store
15. Reigns
Reigns has quickly become one of the cult classics in mobile card games. It’s a single-player card game where you’re a monarch that makes decisions. As a monarch, your job is to govern the people. You have to balance the church, the people, the army, as well as royal wealth.
This game has immense progress but is also one of those “one life only” types of games. If you mess up, your reign will end and you’ll have to make a new game. It’s quite a challenging management card game. It even has a sequel, being Reigns: Her Majesty.
Download from Google Play Store
16. Say WHAT? Cards Against the Universe
The name of the game is Say WHAT? No seriously, that’s the name of the game. Say WHAT has gameplay that’s really close to Cards Against Humanity. Unlike most other card games, this one is better to play with friends.
This game has a lot of funny cards, so it’s great for playing with friends at parties or get-togethers. The best part about it is if you don’t have anyone to play with, you can just join a lobby. The online multiplayer is almost just as fun as when playing with friends.
Download from Google Play Store
17. Solitaire by AI Factory Limited
AI Factory Limited is a studio that produces card games among other amazing games. They have games out like Solitaire, Hearts, and the like. If you’re a fan of old school card games, you should definitely consider checking them out.
One of the games under their umbrella is Solitaire. As the name suggests, it plays just like classic Solitaire. You can rest assured that you’ll be having tons of fun with this one. If you want a game that doesn’t take up much space on your phone, this one’s for you. It’s really good for killing time or commuting.
Download from Google Play Store
18. Star Realms
Available on both Android and iOS, Star Realms is a game in which you destroy your enemies and conquer galaxies. You start with a few scout ships and fighters and build your way up to a whole armada.
In Star Realms, you must race other players to build warships and bases. You have to outwit and outbuild them. The objective of the game is to obliterate your foes and make the galaxy yours. How that will turn out is all up to you. If you want to play a board game with friends, Star Realms does this well but in the form of cards.
Download from Google Play Store
19. Through the Ages
Although costing $10 to play, this game is great. It’s not like other card games where you play casually. In Through the Ages, you’re playing to win. It’s a port of what many consider to be one of the best board games ever.
In this game, you build your domain from as far back as the medieval ages to the modern-day. You have to fend off other countries and compete with them in developing technology and gaining resources. It’s a full-on strategy game in the guise of a card game.
Download from Google Play Store
20. Uno
What would a list of the best card games be without Uno? Well, in this mobile port, you fight until you no longer have cards. Get ready to cut off all your emotions and destroy your friendships because, in Uno, you’re playing to win.
At this point, we all know how to play Uno. The only difference between this and the original game is that this version has some extra mechanics. You can play like the original game or add some new and more exciting stuff.
Download from Google Play Store
21. Hearts
The classic trick-taking card game can provide hours of entertainment with its strategic gameplay and scoring system. Give your friends the dreaded Queen of Spades and ensure your victory on the mobile-friendly version of Hearts.
The site features a detailed look into the rules and history of the game. It is available in single and multiplayer modes and can be played on iOS and Android browsers.
May the Cards be Stacked in Your Favor
Those were 21 of some of the best card games available out there. Pick your poison, or maybe even get them all if you’re adventurous enough and have some time to kill. This list might get old fast, though. After all, there are tons of games being released on Android and iOS every day that it gets hard to keep track of.
