Some Common Card Games People Play at the Pub

Pub nights are not just about drinking. They are about hanging out. They are about laughing and making memories. And nothing fits that mood better than a few rounds of card games.

The best part? Pub card games are easy, flexible, and always a good laugh. Some test your bluffing skills. Others are chaotic and silly. Most are short, so people can join or leave whenever they want.

Whether you’re in London, Dublin, Toronto, or Sydney, you’ll likely find one of the classic card games available at online casinos like NetBet   being played at a table somewhere in the venue. The best part about playing in this environment is that you can play with no pressure and among friends, for small stakes or even just for bragging rights, making it an ideal environment for learning a game and simply playing for enjoyment.

1. Poker (Pub Poker)

Poker is the star of the show. Most pubs lean toward Texas Hold’em because it’s familiar, but they often add house rules to keep it light. The stakes aren’t usually cash. Instead, it’s chips, tokens, or even rounds of drinks. The fun is in the bluffing. Someone always acts like they’ve got pocket aces, then folds junk. Another folds too soon and later groans when they realise they would’ve cleaned up. It’s half drama, half comedy, and 100% pub entertainment. In the UK, pub poker leagues are massive. Redtooth Poker, for example, runs weekly events across hundreds of pubs. Ireland, too, has a strong scene, and in Australia, you’ll find pubs hosting casual Hold’em nights with their own quirks. Every venue seems to have a “house rule” or two, which just adds to the fun.

2. Blackjack

Blackjack is the speed demon of pub card games. The rules are simple. You get as close to 21 as possible without busting. You beat the dealer. In pubs, players usually take turns being the dealer, which keeps it fair and fun. The rounds are lightning-fast. They last just a minute or two. That means no one gets bored waiting for their turn. Stakes are low-key. Maybe a pint, or a packet of crisps. In some cases, it is just bragging rights until the next round.

What keeps people hooked is the suspense. Do you risk a hit on 16? Do you stick and pray the dealer busts? One flip can make the whole table cheer or groan. Unlike poker, there’s no bluffing here. It’s all about timing, nerve, and a bit of luck.

3. Rummy

Rummy is one of those timeless games that just work  in a pub. The aim is to build sets (same rank) or runs (sequential suits). Simple enough for beginners, but engaging enough for everyone else. What makes Rummy a pub hit is its social vibe. You don’t need laser focus. You can sip your drink, tell a joke, and still play without missing much. Some pubs stick to Gin Rummy, which is quicker, while others stretch it across multiple rounds with longer scoring. Globally, Rummy is huge. In India, it’s a household staple with its own regional twists. In the UK, pubs lean toward the shorter versions so games don’t drag out. That flexibility means it adapts to whatever crowd you’ve got.

4. Hearts

Hearts is a bit more strategic. It’s usually played with four people. The goal is to dodge certain cards. Especially the Queen of Spades, which is worth a brutal 13 penalty points. The beauty of Hearts is in its balance. One smart move can save you, but a single bad card can sink you. It’s unpredictable, which makes it hilarious in a pub setting. Some pubs play it over several rounds. The loser buys the next round of drinks. That’s where the real fun comes in. Long-running rivalries and inside jokes. They are usually plenty of playful trash talk.

5. Crazy Eights (and Pub Uno)

Crazy Eights  is pure chaos in a deck. You match the suit or number of the top card, and eights are wild. But in pubs, the “rules” rarely stay official. Forgot to call “last card”? That’s a penalty drink. Someone plays a wild? Everyone yells, laughs, or raises a glass. A lot of pubs swap in Uno decks, which is basically a colourful version of Crazy Eights. The same wild energy applies—fast turns and sudden reversals. It has plenty of “you’ve got to be kidding me” moments. This game isn’t about skill, really. It’s about stirring up trouble and keeping everyone engaged. It is about setting the pub roaring with laughter. By the end of the night, the “rules” are half drinking dares, half card play.

6. Three Card Brag

Three Card Brag is a real pub classic with deep roots. It dates back to 16th-century England. Thus, making it one of the oldest card games still played today. Think of it as poker’s cheeky ancestor, but quicker and easier. Each player gets three cards, and it’s all about bluffing and confidence. The hands are similar to poker, but with their own ranking (for example, a three of a kind—called a “prial”—beats a straight). It’s quick and tense. It is often hilarious when someone brags big and crashes hard. In many UK pubs, Brag is more than just a game. It is a tradition. Older players often teach younger ones. Thus, turning it into a rite of passage. And because it’s fast, it’s perfect for short pub rounds between drinks.

7. Euchre

Euchre may not be everywhere. But where it’s played, it dominates. It’s a trick-taking game for four players split into two teams, with a smaller deck (usually 24 cards). The highlight is teamwork. Unlike poker or blackjack, you’re not going it alone. You’ve got a partner to cheer for (or blame when things go wrong). That partnership makes Euchre a real crowd-pleaser in pubs. In Canada, the Midwest US, and parts of the UK, Euchre nights are still a big tradition. Some pubs even host Euchre leagues. It’s quick and competitive. It is guaranteed to spark both high-fives and groans of frustration.

Wrapping Up

Card games  and pubs are a natural fit. They break the ice and fuel friendly competition. They keep the laughs going long after the first round of drinks. Whether it’s the bluffing drama of poker, the speed of blackjack, or the chaos of Crazy Eights. There’s something for every kind of night.

So, next time someone pulls out a deck, don’t just watch. Shuffle in. Worst case, you lose and buy a round. Best case? You end up part of the pub’s stories. Still being retold weeks later over another pint.