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. Sh!thead

Sh!thead is equal parts strategy, chaos, and banter. The aim? Don’t be the last one left with cards in hand.

How to Play:

1. Deal 3 face-down cards to each player, 3 face-up on top, and a hand of 3 cards.
2. Players take turns playing cards equal to or higher than the top card on the pile.
3. If you can’t play, pick up the pile.
4. Special cards (like 2s or 10s) have effects—2 resets, 10 burns the pile.
5. First player to get rid of all cards wins.

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



2. Speed

Head-to-head and super fast. Speed is all about quick reflexes and sharper focus.

How to Play:

1. Each player gets 20 cards; 5 face-up cards in the middle, the rest as a draw pile.
2. Players simultaneously try to play cards one higher or one lower than the middle cards.
3. Play continues as fast as possible - no turns!
4. First player to get rid of all their cards wins.

Best played: in those in-between moments, waiting on swell or waiting on sunrise.



3. Cabo

Part memory, part strategy, part luck. Cabo keeps everyone guessing as you peek, spy, and swap your way to the lowest score.

How to Play:

1. Deal 4 cards to each player, face-down. Players can look at two of their own cards.
2. On your turn, draw a card from the deck or discard pile and swap it with one of yours.
3. Some cards let you peek, spy, or swap.
4. The round ends when a player calls “Cabo.”
5. Lowest total card value wins the round.

Best played: on slow mornings with a hot brew in hand.



4. Spoons

Fast hands win. Collect four of a kind, grab a spoon, and watch the chaos unfold.

How to Play:

1. Place one fewer spoon than the number of players in the centre.
2. Deal 4 cards to each player. Draw and pass cards to try to collect four of a kind.
3. As soon as someone has four of a kind, they grab a spoon.
4. Everyone else must grab a remaining spoon. The player left without a spoon loses the round.
5. Repeat until one player remains.

Best played: with big groups - campfire gatherings, cabin hangs, or rainy-day retreats.



5. Cheat

How to Play:

1. Deal all cards to players. First player lays down 1 or more cards face-down and announces their rank.
2. Players take turns, following the rank sequence.
3. You can lie about the cards you play.
4. Any player can call “Cheat!” if they suspect a lie.
5. If the accusation is correct, the liar picks up the pile; if wrong, the accuser picks up the pile.
6. First player to get rid of all their cards wins.

Best played: when the night’s winding down and the stories (and bluffs) start flying.


The best adventures are built on good people, good places, and a little bit of fun in between. A deck of cards and these 5 games will keep the crew entertained from the beach to the bush, and everywhere in between.