For centuries, card games have been a popular form of entertainment. Wide variations in games, and in the cards themselves, have developed around the world. Computer games are just another evolution in the long history of cards, bringing a new generation of players into the games.

There's something to be said for playing with real cards, but computer versions have some definite benefits as well.

They are fast paced, as the computer shuffles, lays out the cards, and keeps score for you. With a computer, one person can play multi-player games against virtual or online opponents, and computer games can be a great way to learn the rules of new games.

Computers often come with card games pre-installed. Games can also be purchased, played online, or even downloaded for free. If you're new to computer card games, or just looking for another game, try some of these great ones:

Spider Solitaire

As in standard solitaire, the object of Spider Solitaire is to sort cards into sets, King to Ace, of the same suit. You can choose the difficulty of play. The easiest level uses one suit, medium uses two suits, and the hardest level uses all four card suits.

Two decks are used and cards are dealt across in ten stacks, top cards showing. Five stacks of 10 are kept on the bottom right and can be dealt into the game when you run out of moves.

Cards can be dragged individually onto the next higher card, no matter the suit or color. However, to move a stack of cards together, the cards have to be in order AND in the same suit. You win when all the cards are sorted and using less moves gives you a higher score.

Hearts

Hearts is a classic card game for 4 players, but a computer lets you play even when you are alone. Cards are dealt evenly among 4 players and played in turn around the table. The player putting down the highest card picks up the others.

Each card of the Heart suit is worth one point and the Queen of Spades is worth 13 points. The object of the game is to have the lowest number of points, so you want to avoid picking up point cards. However, if you pick up all the point cards it is called Shooting the Moon and everyone else is given 26 points.

Play usually lasts until a player's score reaches 100, then the player with the lowest score wins.

Scopa (variation of Scopone)

Scopa is an Italian or Sicilian card game played with a special 40-card deck. There are some variations in play and in the naming of the cards. The deck has four suits: coins (or gold), cups, swords, and batons (or clubs). The cards in each suit include numbers 1 through 7 (shown in pictures) and 3 face cards. The face cards are a lone figure called Knave (or Girl), a horseman called Knight (or Horse), and a King.

Scopa is a game for 2 players. To begin, 3 cards are dealt to each player and 4 cards are dealt face up. Players take turns either picking up cards (by matching the added value of cards on the table to a card in hand) or discarding to the table. Scoring is based on various cards collected: total cards, coin (gold) cards, the sette bello (seven of coins), and the primiera (calculation of "best" cards).

The word Scopa means "sweep" and a bonus point is also given when players "sweep" the table (pick up all the cards). The game is generally played until a player reaches 11, or when winning 2 of 3 rounds.

These are just a few of the great computer card games available today. The descriptions here are only an overview. If they sound like fun, more information, including free downloads, can easily be found by searching online.

Learn more about this author, Susan Quilty.
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