If you haven't jumped on the card games bandwagon, it's time to hop on and enjoy the ride. Card games are compact enough to carry in your purse, backpack, or bag. What's more, most are easy enough for everyone to get the hang of quickly but involve enough strategy to keep even the most pretentious players engaged. Bring them on a trip and let the fun begin in transit or in your hotel room after a long day of sightseeing. They’re the French fries of game culture— everyone loves them— and if they don’t, that usually ain’t the fries' problem.

RELATED: The Best Card Games For CouplesCard games can also offer flexibility when it comes to the number of players, letting you play with a smaller group at home or at a game night with a larger circle of pals. Plus, they’re vastly less expensive than board games, so you have more opportunities to get a feel for what you like instead of having to commit a chunk of change to a wildly elaborate board game that you’ll play exactly once. Ready to try one out? Read on for our top card game suggestions.

Cover Your Assets is our choice for the best overall card game due to the competitive spirit it fosters, the visually appealing cards, and the wide range of ages that can play. It is suitable for ages 7 to 99, can be played with two to six players, and takes anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes to play. The object of the game is to build a track of matching assets by creating sets and stealing them from fellow players. The first person to reach a stack that adds up to a million wins!

Another great aspect of this game is that there are classic and advanced rules. If you are playing with older or more seasoned players, the advanced rules make the game all the more fun.

Tug! is a unique card game that features a box that unfolds into a mini tug-of-war arena, complete with a suspended rope and flag! It has guessable 50/50 questions that get more and more difficult as the game goes on. When you get a question right, you tug the rope toward your side, and the team that gets it all the way to their side first is declared the winner.

The game can be played with as many as 20 players, allowing you to create large teams and making it fantastic for a big group. It is very easy to learn and is suitable for most ages. The box is lightweight and compact, making it great to take with you for any family gathering.

For a fun game that will entertain kids for hours, you can't go wrong with Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. The cards are marked with special characters, fittingly, a taco, cat, goat, cheese, or pizza— or special cards, like a narwhal or gorilla. Whoever dealt flips over the top card on their pile and then says the word “taco.” If their word matches the title card, all players must try to slap the card on top of the pile. Whoever’s hand ends up last has to add all the cards in play to their deck. But, if the word doesn’t match the card, play continues clockwise, and players keep saying the words in sequential order (“goat,” “cheese,” et cetera).

When you think of board games, chances are Monopoly quickly comes to mind. There are definitely some downsides with the classic game, such as how long it takes to set up, play, and clean and the higher price tag associated with it. Monopoly Deal eliminates all of these dilemmas and is a great game to break out in any social situation. It is fast-moving and can be played in just 15 minutes.

The object of the game is to collect three complete property sets. This is easier said than done, as you must be aware of the debt collectors, forced deals, and deal breakers. You are able to steal properties and demand money using certain action cards, which adds to the intensity of the game. The deck is very compact and is perfect to throw in a purse, backpack, or suitcase to take with you and pull out whenever you're looking for a fun time.

Over the years, Cards Against Humanity has almost become synonymous with the phrase "party game". It is an adult-style Apples To Apples that is marketed as the "party game for horrible people". It has been tweeted about by Kim Kardashian and has become one of the most popular games out there. Cards Against Humanity also has multiple expansion packs that can be utilized to make the game even more interesting.

The game is simple to learn and play. In each round, a player asks a question or reads a phrase from one of the black cards. Everyone else playing then answers with their funniest white card from their hand. The person who asked the question then decides what they thought was the funniest answer.

Couch Skeletons is a unique and fun game that is designed for just two players. It has been described as "Solitaire Light" and the object is to land the spooky, scary, and sassy skeletons on a couch to crash on. You want to be the first player to fill the couch seats with your skeletons by placing them according to their numbers. You are able to place skeletons on top of other skeletons if their number is higher than that skeleton and can place it next to the skeleton if their number is one number or one lower.

The game can be slightly confusing to learn at first but once you've got the hang of it, it is very fun and fast-paced. It is a great game to play between family members, couples, and friends.

What is the Best Card Game?

Cover Your Assets checks all the boxes when it comes to a great card game, making it our choice for the best overall card game. It is strategic, fast-paced, has beautiful cards, and can be played with multiple ages and a wide range of number of players. It can be made easier or harder, depending on your preference, by choosing which set of rules to play with. It is one of those games that never gets old and can be played time and time again.

However, if you're looking for a more interactive game that will be exciting for kids, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza can't be beaten. The cards are visually appealing, and the game requires a whole lot of action, which keeps it consistently engaging.

FAQs

Q: How do I choose a card game?

A: It all comes down to logistics. It’s going to sound obvious, but make sure to buy a game that can accommodate the number of players you think will join you in playing. If you’re looking to host a large game night party, it’s probably not wise to grab a game that’ll only allow four or five people to play.

Are you short on time, or do you want to play all night? Whatever the answer, it can also help to consider the length of a card game. Some card games can span 10 to 15 minutes, while others can go on for an hour— or more. That said, shorter card games are often quick enough to allow for multiple rounds, so don’t dismiss a game right away just because one round isn’t long enough to fill up your whole night. On the other hand, sometimes you only have time for a quick round or two, so a game that can go on as long as Cover Your Assets wouldn't be — in the cards for you (pun shamelessly intended).

Q: Are card games good for kids?

A: The answer is a resounding yes! Card games are great for kids. They are fun and engaging and allow kids to develop a competitive spirit. Games like Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza and Tug! are awesome choices for children.