Top 5 Card Games for Every Adventure

A deck of cards weighs nothing, takes up no space, and brings endless good times. Whether you’re camping by the fire, road-tripping down the coast, or posting up at home after a long day in the surf, these are our go-to card games that keep the good times rolling.

 

1. Shithead (a PARGO favourite)

Goal: Don’t be the last player left with cards.

Cards:
2 - Reset: Can be played on anything. Resets the pile to start fresh.
3 - Invisible: Can be played on anything. The next player must play as if the 3 isn’t there.
7 - Keep It Low: The next card must be lower than or equal to 7.
8 - Skip: Skips the next player.
10 - Bomb: Clears the whole pile (even if it’s on a 7). You also get another turn.
Ace - High: Ace is the highest regular card.

Basic Play:
- Players take turns playing a card equal to or higher than the previous one (unless a special rule applies).
- If you can’t play, you must pick up the pile.
- Four-of-a-kind also clears the pile.
- Once the draw deck runs out, players work through their hand and face-up cards, then finally their blind cards.

End of the Game:
Last player with cards = “Shithead.”

Best played: with mates under the stars, mugs full of something warm.

2. Speed

Goal: Be the first player to get rid of all your cards.

Setup:
- Each player has 5 cards in hand.
- In the middle, place two face-down piles of 5 (or 6) each - these are the "speed piles."
- Flip the top card of each middle pile to start play.
- Remaining cards form each player’s draw pile.

How to Play:
- Both players play simultaneously.
- You can place a card that is one higher or one lower than the middle piles.
- When both players agree they can’t play anything, each flips a new card from the speed pile to continue.

End of the Game:
First player with no cards in hand and no cards left in their draw pile wins.

3. Cabo

Goal: Have the lowest total score when someone hits 100.

Card Abilities:
7 & 8: Peek at one of your own cards.
9 & 10: Peek at another player’s card.
Jack or Queen: Do a blind swap (you don’t get to look).
Black King: Look at someone’s card and choose to swap with them, or not.
Red King: Worth zero - the best card.

Card Values:
Ace = 1
2-10 = face value
Jack = 11
Queen = 12
Black King = 13
Red King = 0

How the Game Works:
- Each player starts with four cards face down. You may peek at two at the start.
- On your turn, draw from the deck or discard pile and swap strategically.
- When you think you have the lowest score, you call “Cabo!”
- Everyone gets one more turn before the round ends.
- Once the last round has ended, all players flip their cards over
- Whoeever has the lowest score wins the round

End of the Game:
When anyone’s score exceeds 100, the player with the lowest score wins.
Hit exactly 100, and you go back to 50.

4. Spoons

Goal: Collect four of a kind - then grab a spoon before everyone else.

How to Play:
- Place one less spoon than the number of players in the centre.
- The dealer picks a card from the deck, chooses to keep or pass it, and everyone keeps the chain going.
- When someone gets four of a kind, they grab a spoon.
- Once one person grabs a spoon, everyone dives in.
- The player who misses out gets a letter. Spell “S-P-O-O-N” and you’re out.

5. Cheat (a.k.a. Bullsh*t)

Goal: Get rid of all your cards - truthfully or not.

How to Play:
- Players place cards face down and announce what they’re “playing.”
- You typically must announce the next value in sequence (e.g., “two 4s,” then “5s,” then “6s”), but many house rules allow flexible play.
- You can lie - play any number of cards and claim any value.
- Anyone can call “Cheat!” or “Bullsh*t
- If the player was lying, they pick up the whole pile.
- If they were telling the truth, the accuser picks it up.

End of the Game:
First to get rid of all their cards wins.