Top 10 Multiplayer Card Games on Mobile
If you’re one of the types who like playing card games (the 52 card deck variety), then you’re going to love this top 10 list. Its a list of mobile apps that allow you to play cards on your phone, without the need to bring a physical deck around. How do you do that you say? Well, in most card games, you have cards that only you can see (in your hand) and some sort of communal area where cards can be placed and moved around that everyone can see. If an app can support that, then it should pretty much allow you to play most card games out there. It was actually a struggle to make a list of 10 apps — there simply aren’t many apps that do this. But alas, here is my list:
1. Deck of Cards (iOS and Android)
This one takes the top spot for my list because of several reasons. The first being that it is the only one that supports both iOS and Android. It defeats the purpose of playing card games on your mobile phone if you can’t play with everyone in the group. The other reason is that it is so simple and intuitive. I didn’t need any explanations, I could just open up the app and figure everything out effortlessly. With added benefits of poker chips, points and move history, this is a clear winner in my books.
2. Team Playing Cards (Android)
This is one of the best apps out there. It is professional, clean looking, and packed with functionality. The graphics has a minimalistic cartoonish feel to it, and makes everything look simple (and it is). You can zoom, rotate, and have different layouts. You will however need to upgrade to be able to host a game. But other than that, a superb app. This is a very close second, and would probably take the top spot if it was free and worked on iOS.
3. The Card Table (iOS)
I really like the design of this one. It has a very minimalistic feel to it, and plays very nicely. The biggest issue I have with this app is that it requires an iPad. While it does have the benefit of having lots of room for the community cards, it does prohibit you from playing cards spontaneously when you’re out with your friends. Most people don’t carry around an iPad with them. In the cases where they do, most likely they are at home, and probably will already have a deck of cards lying around.
4. Trappola (iOS)
OK this one took a little time to figure out, but once you get the hang of it, it is actually quite neat. You have a number of cards in your hand, that appears and disappears as you tilt the phone up and down. While this does give you more screen real estate to be able to see all the cards on the communal area, I thought it was a little laggy sometimes to hide the cards. This would allow sneaky players to take a glimpse at your cards. The cards have a nice worn look to them, and the app runs quite smoothly. Overall, a decent app, but probably needs improvement on the usability and design. It makes the game feel awkward and not exciting as the other apps out there.
5. 52 cards (iOS)
This is the only app in my list that doesn’t support playing via wifi/bluetooth/internet. How do you play with others you ask? Well, with one device, the players take turn peeking at their hand cards and performing desired actions. I’m not a big fan of taking turns on one mobile, but this looks quite fun. Not for serious card players though as you can easily cheat, but nevertheless, a simple and clean looking fun app.
6. MiniCards — Card games (Android)
A collection of card games including Hearts, Canasta, Spades, Snap and Cribbage. This app has decent UI, usability, and allows some customisation and uses bluetooth. It is one of the better ones out there, especially if you are out camping with no internet or wifi.
7. Group Card Games (Android)
Another collection of card games in one app, this one however, has stunning graphics. A lot of work has been done to make this visually very impressive. If you play Hearts, President, Kemps, Sueca or I Doubt it, then this is worth trying out. You can play against the computer or locally with your friends.
8. Card Deck Games (Android)
Also an app comprising of collections of card games. The benefit of having specific cards games in the app is that the game is restricted to certain actions and allows for smoother gameplay. The limiting factor is that there are only 5 games currently (Hearts, Thirty-One, Shithead, Oh hell, Chicago), and it is restricted to bluetooth. Nevertheless a decent app if you like those specific games.
9. iPlayingCards (iOS)
I can’t say I like this app very much. The graphics are old, it is a little laggy, and it is a little tedious doing everything using the popup menu. On the plus side, it does have a lot of functionality, and allows you to customize much more than the other apps I’ve taken a look at. But in my opinion, it needs a lot of work before it is usable.
10. Deck Share 500 (iOS)
Deck share allows you to play different games with other friends, but requires at least one person to purchase the game. I must say, I’m not a fan of the cartoonish graphics and overall playability.
And thats it for my list. If you like this article, please click the green heart below so that others might see it as well.
