I am looking for a simple card game that would be fun for the elderly and at the same time would break the monotony of traditional card games, that they are currently playing. Preferably something internationally popular so it is easy to buy in the EU.
Edit: Thanks everyone. I bought The Crew and noted a lot of other games. Hope it will go well :)
We often play “6 nimmt” with our Grandma. That is always a blast. Simple to learn, quick to set up and a lot of Schadenfreude from my Grandma when she tricks somebody into taking cards!
Bohnanza is a modern classic.
Scout is supposed to be great.
Tichu is a bit more complex (and somewhat similar to Doppelkopf, which as I am just learning is apparently rather specific to Germany).
Arboretum is also nice, somewhat similar to Lost Cities.
- Bohnanza is a good recommendation. It’s very easy to learn and doesn’t fall into the usual brackets of shedding or trick taking.
- Scout is my favorite combo shedding game (ie. you’re shedding multiple cards at once). The way you’re always either drawing or shedding keeps the play much more dynamic than in Daihinmin or the Great Dalmuti
- Frantic from GameFactory isn’t widely available but in the EU you can probably get it. UNO on steroids. More exciting special cards and you can play them against any player, not just the one following you.
- Tichu a team based trick taking game that has a lot of fans around here. I personally have never really taken to it. It’s fine but I don’t get the rabid fandom some have for it.
- The Crew is ridiculously difficult with 5 and cumbersome with 2. Would only recommend it in between. But there it is a very clever game.
- Sea Salt & Paper is set collection with some rummy elements. Some simple but fun card abilities mix it up. One of our favorites. Available in the EU (Philibert, probably others too)
- in Cabo you are trying to minimize the value of your face down cards. Has a memory element but not too bad. Widely available.
Sushi Go, Hanabi, Coup
Sushi go is one of my favorites!
Checkout Dutch Blitz, it’s kinda like multi-player solatire. Up to 4 people.
Love Dutch Blitz. Also, you can get an expansion up to 8 people, but imo 4 is the sweet spot. More than that gets too hectic and the rounds end too quickly with that many piles to play on.
As a side note, it’s the laziest expansion I’ve ever seen. Was hoping for different images on the backs or different colors, but they just switch up the color-image pairings.
Uno has many variations. My current favorite is Uno Flip.
Cribbage is often paired with a board & pegs, though doesn’t technically require one as it’s meant for tracking points and sometimes victories.
CRIBBAGE!!!
Our current favourite The Crew was already mentioned.
Phase 10 used to be the staple to bring out at gatherings, both with family and friends. I personally have outgrown it a bit, but it’s easy to learn and it’s probably the game in our household that has been played for the most hours.