How to play Trash & Game Rules with Video – PlayingCardDecks.com

(Above is the set up for the card game Trash)

(Above is the set up for the card game Trash)

Card Game Rules

Trash, or Garbage, is a classic card game for two player. It requires a standard 52 playing card deck and is suitable for ages 8 and up. The objective of Trash is to be the first person with a complete hand of 10 cards.

For more classic card games, check out our guides for Kemps and Crazy Eights.

If you are looking for cards to play Trash with, check out a standard deck here or check out one of our more recent arrivals here.

Set Up

To set up a game of Trash, players need to first sit around a suitable gameplay area. Before gameplay can begin, every player draws a card from a shuffled deck. The player with the highest card becomes the first dealer. Ties are broken by a redraw. The dealer then shuffles the deck and passes out ten cards, faced down, arranged in a 2 x 5 grid. Players do not look at these cards.

The remaining deck forms the the stock pile.

In Trash, Aces are 1, 2s-10s are their face value, Jacks are wildcards and Queens and Kings are unplayable.

How to Play

The player who doesn’t deal the cards starts the game. The first player draws from the stock. If they can play the card (meaning Ace through Jack) the player places the card in the appropriate spot on their grid. If they drew an Ace, for instance, they would place it in the top left position of the grid; a 10 would be the bottom right and so on. When they place a card on the grid, they flip over the faced down card previously in that position. If they can use that card then they do the same thing until they get a card they cannot play (meaning a King, Queen, or a card they have already played).

When they have an unplayable card, they place it face up beside the stock pile, forming the discard pile, and player 2 begins their turn.

Starting with player 2’s first turn, players can choose to either draw from the stock pile or the discard pile.

The first player to fill out their entire grid wins the round

Scoring

The player who won the previous round removes one card from their grid. This means that the 10 will be unplayable for them in round 2, the 9 in round 3, and etc. 

A player wins the game when they only have one card in their grid and draw an Ace or Jack.

For more information, check out Pagat’s article here.

Looking for more card games to play?  Check out this article:

40+ Great Card Games For All Occasions

About the author: John Taylor is a content writer and freelancer through the company Upwork.com. You may view his freelancing profile here. He has a B. A. in English, with a specialty in technical writing, from Texas A&M University and a M. A. in English from the University of Glasgow. You may view his previous articles about card games here and his LinkedIn profile here.

John Taylor Head shot

Last update date: 02/08/21

Roulette Rules, Tips, How to Play Roulette

Contents

If you want to become a savvier player at the roulette tables, you must familiarise yourself with the roulette rules. These affect every bet you place.

This classic casino table game is one of the oldest games available in land-based and online casinos. However, to beginner online roulette players, the table can feel somewhat daunting, with so many betting options on the wheel and the unique roulette layout to get to grips with.

Roulette Rules: The Basics

There are several aspects to the game of roulette that you need to master, especially when it comes to staking real money. It’s not just the roulette wheel you have to think about, it’s the different ways to stake, when you can and can’t stake, and what you could win when the ball lands in your favour.

The Object Of The Game

To win at a round of roulette, you must put a stake of money on a desired number or collection of numbers. You do this by placing roulette chips of your chosen value on your selected number(s). Put simply, the object is to predict where you think the ball will land on the roulette wheel and bet accordingly.

All winning chips are returned to winning players, plus extra chip payouts in accordance with the table odds. All losing chips are taken by the table dealer and retained by the house. Of course, when you play live roulette online, the transfer of winning and losing chips happens digitally and in an instant, to accelerate your gameplay in between spins.

Roulette Rules Infographic

Basic Rules To Master

First, you’ll need to master the dynamics of the roulette wheel. Depending on the variant of roulette you choose to play you’ll have 37 (including the single zero) or 38 (including the double zero) numbers on the wheel. There will also be some differences in terms of your roulette table layout, or the way you place your stakes.

The Roulette Table Layout Explained

When we talk about the table layout, we’re referring to two things – the layout of numbers on both the roulette wheel and of the numbers on the table where you place your chips.

So, let’s briefly talk about the numbers. A typical roulette wheel will have a minimum of 36 numbered pockets. Additional ‘special’ numbers have been added to the wheel over time, too. For instance, a green single zero pocket is included in the European version.

These additional pockets were added to help the house increasing its edge. If you’re interested in how to calculate this in a game of roulette, you need to work out the following calculation:

(Odds Against Winning – House Odds) x Probability Of Success

For a roulette wheel with 37 pockets the calculation would be:

(36/1 – 35/1) x 1/37 = 1/1 x 1/37 = 1/37 = 0.0270270 (2.70% when multiplied by 100)

For roulette wheels with both a single zero and double zero, creating 38 pockets, the house edge almost doubles to 5.26%, which is why single-zero roulette tends to be more popular with players.

All About Red And Black

One thing you’ll notice on any roulette wheel layout is that the pockets alternate between red and black numbers. That’s designed to give you, the player an almost 50/50 chance of landing red or black. Why do we say almost? Because the addition of the single zero and the double zero makes it impossible for the probability of the ball landing on red or black to be exactly 50%.

As the payout odds of on red or black are even-money (1:1), this is where the house edge tips in favour of the casinos.

All About The Numbers

Taking a quick look at a
roulette wheel with 37 numbered pockets, you’ll probably notice that the
numbers are by no means in a specific order. This is to avoid any potential
bias of results over the long-term from a single roulette wheel.

In single zero roulette, the numbers are laid out clockwise in the following sequence: 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26.

The positioning of the numbered pockets on a double zero wheel, also known as American roulette, is laid out very differently. The sequence is designed to create a level playing field, with the single zero and double zero positioned on opposite sides of the wheel:

0, 28, 9, 26, 30, 11, 7, 20, 32, 17, 5, 22, 34, 15, 3, 24, 36, 13, 1, 00, 27, 10, 25, 29, 12, 8, 19, 31, 18, 6, 21, 33, 16, 4, 23, 35, 14, and 2.

As you can see, with single zero roulette wheels, the low and high-value numbers alternate as much as possible. You’ll very rarely spot two low or high numbers next to each other on the wheel. That’s in stark contrast to double zero roulette wheels, which are less balanced, with many instances of low and high numbers positioned next to one another on the wheel.

Roulette Betting Systems

The beauty of roulette is that you can stake on as many numbers as you wish if your bankroll allows. Though if you opt in to live casino offers and promotions, there may be limits placed on the amount of numbers you can cover in any game round, so always check the terms and conditions.

If you want to cover several single numbers or multiple groups of numbers, you can do so freely. There are three different types of bets you can make – inside bets, outside bets, and announced bets.

Inside Betting

Look at the standard roulette table layout and you’ll see that the main layout is comprised of the numbers zero through to 36. The other areas on the side of the table layout are specifically reserved for betting on groups of numbers – more on that shortly.

When you stake on an individual number or cover several numbers at once, these bets are known as inside bets. There are seven main inside bets you can make at any time:

  1. Straight or straight-up
    A bet placed on a single number, such as red 7. Chips are placed inside the square of the number you want to stake on.
     
  2. Split
    A bet placed on two numbers adjacent to one another on the roulette table, such as red 14 and black 17. Chips are placed on the connecting line between the two numbers.
     
  3. Street
    A bet placed on three numbers located on the same line of the table. Chips are placed on the outer corner of the row of three numbers you want to stake on. An example is a bet on the row including 4, 5 and 6.
     
  4. Six Line
    A bet placed on two adjacent lines of numbers. Chips are placed on the connecting outer corner between the two lines you want to stake on, such as the two rows containing numbers 28 – 33.
     
  5. Corner
    A bet placed on a cluster of four numbers in a square. Place your chip in the middle of the four numbers. An example is a square containing 15, 18, 17 and 14 (looking at them clockwise).
     
  6. Trio
    A bet placed on three numbers including single zero or double zero. Chips are positioned on the line connecting the single zero or double zero with the two additional numbers 1 and 2, or 2 and 3.
     
  7. Basket
    A bet placed on the numbers zero, 1, 2, and 3. Chips are placed on the outer corner of the table connecting zero and 1.

Outside Betting

All outside bets made on the roulette table are placed outside of the field of numbers. Outside bets cover the sectors that span larger groups of numbers than you can otherwise cover with multiple inside bets. With outside bets, you can cover virtually half the numbers during a single spin, compared to just six with a single inside bet.

For all these bets, choose your outcome and simply place your chip/s in the square marked with the bet you want.

  1. Odd/Even

     

  2. Red/Black

     

  3. 1 to 18/19 to 36

     

  4. Dozens
    A bet placed on whether the 1st 12, 2nd or 3rd 12 on the table.
     
  5. Columns
    A bet placed on whether the next number the ball lands on will be within the first, second, or third column of the table. Chips are placed inside the first, second, or third “2 to 1” squares next beside numbers 34, 35, and 36 respectively.

Announced Betting

Most commonly found in French roulette and some European roulette games, there are additional announced bets that can be made. These are a combination of different numbers, and usually, you’ll find a secondary table aside from the one where you can place inside and outside bets. Here are the five announced bets:

  1. Voisins du Zero
    A bet placed on the single zero and seven numbers either side of the zero, comprising a trio bet on zero, 2, and 3, five split bets on 4 and 7, 12 and 15, 18 and 21, 19 and 22, 32 and 35, one corner bet on 25, 26, 28, and 29.
     
  2. Le Tiers Du Cylindre
    Translated to English as “one-third of the wheel”, this bet covers six different split bets on 5 and 8, 10 and 11, 13 and 16, 23 and 24, 27 and 30, 33 and 36.
     
  3. Orphelins
    A bet placed on all the numbers not covered by a Voisins du Zero bet or a Le Tier Du Cylindre bet, spanning eight numbers and known as the orphans. It consists of a straight-up bet on 1 and four split bets on 6 and 9, 14 and 17, 17 and 20, 31 and 34.
     
  4. Jeu Zero
    A bet covering all three neighbours of the single zero on either side of the wheel. It consists of a straight-up bet on 26 and three split bets on zero and 3, 12 and 15, 32 and 35.
     
  5. Neighbours
    A five-number bet covering 26 and its two neighbours on either side.

Roulette Payouts And Odds

Inside bets tend to have much larger payouts than outside bets. That’s because they cover no more than six numbers per spin. Meanwhile, outside bets can cover half of the numbers on the wheel during a single spin, so the odds of winning on any single number is increased.

The below table shows the payout odds of each main roulette bet:

Bet Type Payout/Odds Inside/Outside Bet?
Straight-up 35:1 Inside Bet
Split 17:1 Inside Bet
Trio or Street 11:1 Inside
Corner 8:1 Inside Bet
Line 5:1 Inside Bet
Column 2:1 Outside Bet
Dozen 2:1 Outside Bet
Red/Black 1:1 Outside Bet
Odd/Even 1:1 Outside Bet
1 – 18 / 19 – 36 1:1 Outside Bet

Does this all make sense? Try your hand at live roulette today!

If you feel like you now have a good grasp of the available bets you can make at the roulette table, strike while the iron is hot and put your knowledge to the test with a few rounds of online roulette at LiveRoulette.

Our hugely engaging live streamed roulette games are managed by professional dealers, with minimum bets allowing you to stake as low as €0.10 per chip.


18+ | begambleaware.org | Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Terms & Conditions apply.

How to play Spoil Five & Game Rules with Video – PlayingCardDecks.com

(Above is the set up for the card game Spoil Five)

(Above is the set up for the card game Spoil Five)

Card Game Rules

Spoil Five is a casino game for two to ten players. It requires a standard 52 playing card deck and poker chips. The objective of Spoil Five is to win 3 or more tricks in a round.

For other casino type games, see our guides for Texas Hold’em Poker and Seven Card Stud Poker.

If you are looking for cards to play Spoil Five with, check out a standard deck here or check out one of our more recent arrivals here.

 

Set Up

Before gameplay can begin, every player draws a card from a shuffled deck. The player with the highest card becomes the first dealer. Ties are broken by a redraw. The dealer then passes out five cards to each player. The remaining deck is placed to the side. Its top card assigns the trump suit for that round.

Card Ranking

When a suit is trump, the ranking is as follows from high to low:

Spades and Clubs: 5, Jack, Ace of Hearts, Ace, King, Queen, 2 up to 10.

Diamonds: 5, Jack, Ace of Hearts, Ace, down to 2

Hearts: 5, Jack, Ace down to 2.

When a suit is not trump, the ranking is as follows from high to low:

Spades and Clubs: King, Queen, Jack, Ace, 2 up to 10.

Diamonds: King down to Ace.

Hearts: King down to 2.

The Ace of Hearts is always the third best card.

 

How to Play

Players begin by placing an ante in the middle. The top card of the deck is flipped over to establish trump for the round. Starting with the person left of the dealer, players try to win tricks by playing the highest ranking card. Players must follow the suit of the lead card if they can. 

If a player has the Ace of trump, they may exchange any card in their hand for the top card in the deck. If they refuse to do so, they must announce that they are turning down the trump.

If an Ace is initially flipped over when establishing trump, the dealer may take it after the first trick in exchange for any of their cards. They could also refuse it.

 

Scoring

If a player wins 3 or more tricks in a round, the player gets all of the poker chips in the middle. For the next round, every player adds one chip to the middle again.

If no player wins 3 or more tricks in a round, then the pot carries over. For the next round, only the dealer adds a chip to the middle.

Looking for more card games to play?  Check out this article:

40+ Great Card Games For All Occasions

About the author: John Taylor is a content writer and freelancer through the company Upwork.com. You may view his freelancing profile here. He has a B. A. in English, with a specialty in technical writing, from Texas A&M University and a M. A. in English from the University of Glasgow. You may view his previous articles about card games here and his LinkedIn profile here.

John Taylor Head shot

Last update date: 08/29/20

How to play Thirteen & Game Rules with Video – PlayingCardDecks.com

(Above is the set up for a game of Thirteen)

(Above is the set up for a game of Thirteen)

Card Game Rules

Thirteen is a four player trick-taking card game that requires a standard 52 playing card deck. In Thirteen, 2s are high and 3s are low. The suits are ranked with Hearts being the highest, then Diamonds, Clubs, and Spades. The objective of Thirteen is to be the first player to get rid of their cards. 

For other trick-taking card games, see our guides for President and Bezique.

If you are looking for cards to play Thirteen with, check out a standard pack here or one of our more recent arrivals here.

Set Up

Before game play can begin, a dealer must be selected. Each player draws one card from a shuffled deck. The player with the lowest card becomes the dealer. The dealer shuffles the deck and passes out thirteen cards to each player in a clockwise fashion. 

How to Play

The player with the 3 of Spades makes the first move. Going clockwise, players can either player a card that is of equal rank (with a higher suit) or higher than the card previously played. Once nobody can play a higher card, the pile is removed and the last person to play a card starts the new pile.

Cards can be played as singles, pairs, three of a kinds, four of a kinds or a sequence of 3 or more. Players must however follow whatever the lead play was. If somebody leads with a single, players cannot beat it with a double or etc. 

Bombs

A four of a kind and a double sequence of three cards are called bombs. Bombs can beat a single 2. A double sequence of four cards can beat a pair of 2s and a double sequence of five cards can beat three 2s.

Miscellaneous Rules

If a player has four 2s or a sequence of 3 to Ace, they immediately win the game.

The last card in a sequence determines its suit.

The player who gets rid of all of their cards first wins the game.

Looking for more card games to play?  Check out this article:

40+ Great Card Games For All Occasions

About the author: John Taylor is a content writer and freelancer through the company Upwork.com. You may view his freelancing profile here. He has a B. A. in English, with a specialty in technical writing, from Texas A&M University and a M. A. in English from the University of Glasgow. You may view his previous articles about card games here and his LinkedIn profile here.

John Taylor Head shot

Last update date: 08/29/20

How To Play Blackjack: Rules & Bets

Few other card games gather more players or draw more intensity than a game of blackjack. With its immersive gameplay and a worldwide reputation as an iconic card game, it’s one of the most straightforward games you’ll find in the entire casino range.

Blackjack may look simple on the outside, but beneath the surface, you’ll find there’s much more to this classic card game. Let us tell you more in our beginner casino guide. Here you’ll get the basic rules, card values and more, so you get acquainted with the game in any setting.

Already know the game? Log in or join LiveRoulette and get your seat at the table.

What’s The Aim Of Blackjack?

Ultimately, the aim is to beat the dealer’s hand without exceeding 21- It’s that simple! If your hand goes higher than 21, you “bust”, which means you lose that hand.

What Are The Rules?

Whether you want to play live, online or
otherwise, the rules of the game are pretty much the same. Up to seven players
are seated around the semi-circular table (but more players can be seated
online, such as in a game of Infinite
Blackjack
). There’s a betting spot in front of each player, where you
must place your wager in the form of chips before the dealer plays the hand. If
space allows, you can play more than one hand at the table, placing chips in
each betting spot.

Once everyone has placed their chips, the dealer will hand out two cards to each player. They will then draw themselves a card turned face down (known as their “hole card”). Note that there are some variations of this game that allow the dealer to receive two cards: one turned down and the other facing up.

Next, each player can decide to hit (take another card) or stand (keep just their current cards). This all depends on the value of the hand in front of you.

What Are The Card Values?

The game is played with standard playing cards and up to eight decks. The cards from 2 through 10 are worth their exact value while all the face cards – King, Queen and Jack are worth 10. An Ace can have two values – either worth 1 or 11.

How Does The Game Start?

If the total value of the cards you get is 21 (for example if you get a 10 and an Ace), you immediately win a Blackjack, and the dealer will pay out odds of 3:2 on your initial wager. This is the ideal scenario! But what are your options if you don’t get this hand?

Natural Blackjack Hand

You Can Hit…

Essentially, you’re requesting another card from the dealer to increase your hand’s value. You can do this as many times as you like – just be careful you don’t go over 21 and bust!

You Can Stand…

If you stand you won’t accept any more cards for that round and gameplay will move to the next player. So, if you have a hand with two 10-value cards and you stand, your final value of 20 will be pitted against the dealer.

Or You Could Split

If you have two of the same value cards dealt to you, you can split them, and place the same wager again on the second hand. Now, you can choose to hit and stand on each hand independently depending on what cards you’re dealt next. Now that’s potentially two chances to beat the dealer instead of one.

What Does It Mean To “Double Down”?

This option allows you to double
your initial bet in return for receiving one (and only one) more card. In
most casinos, you can only double down after you receive your first two cards
and before drawing another card. There are
plenty of guides and strategies for doubling down, but it all depends on what
card the dealer holds and what’s left in the deck: not easy to know.

Check out our five-minute blackjack strategy guide for more on how to double down.

Dealer’s Play

Unlike you, the player, a blackjack dealer has specific rules to follow. Casino rules specify that a dealer must keep drawing a card if their hand totals less than 17 and stand when the total is 17 through 21. There are variations to dealer’s play, so make sure you check out the table rules carefully before you take a seat.

Insurance

Some casinos will allow you to take an
insurance bet, which only becomes available if the dealer draws an Ace as their
first card. In essence, you’re betting that their next card will be a 10-value
card, resulting in a Blackjack. An
insurance bet enables you to win back half your original wager instead of potentially
going bust.

How To Play Live Blackjack

A game of live blackjack doesn’t vary that much from a game at the table. There may be more variations to play such as single-deck games, party-style games and tables where more players can take part. Check out LiveRoulette’s library live games and discover just how easy it is to switch from table games to live!

And Finally: Blackjack Payouts

The payout for a winning hand is 1:1, so if you put down a €5 bet, you’ll get €5. If you manage to win on a natural Blackjack, you’ll receive a payout of 3:2, making it the highest return in the game. There are various table limits available, giving you diverse betting options that match your bankroll and playing style.

That’s everything a first-timer needs to know to get by in a game
of blackjack. Why not put your newly found knowledge to the test in one of
LiveRoulette’s games?



18+ | begambleaware.org | Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Terms & Conditions apply.

How to play Carousel & Game Rules – PlayingCardDecks.com

(Above is an ending layout from a game of Carousel Rummy)

(Above is an ending layout from a game of Carousel Rummy)

Card Game Rules

Carousel is a Rummy type game for 2-5 players. For 2 players, Carousel requires a standard deck of 52 playing cards and 1 Joker. For 3-5 players, Carousel requires 2 standard decks of 52 playing cards and 2 Joker. In Carousel Aces can be High or Low, however they cannot connect a King and 2. The objective of Carousel is to play all of your cards by melding them.

If you are looking for cards to play Carousel with, check out a standard deck here or one of our newest arrivals here.

For more Rummy type games, check out our guides for Canasta and Gin.

Set-Up

Before game play can begin, a dealer must be selected. Each player draws one card from a shuffled deck. The player with the lowest card becomes the dealer. Ties are broken by a redraw.

The dealer then shuffles the deck and passes out ten cards one at a time to each player. The remaining cards form the stock pile.

How to Play

Starting with the player left of the dealer, players try to meld off as much cards as they can. A player begins their turn by first drawing from the stock. If they cannot make any melds with their cards, they draw another card from the stock. If they still can’t make any melds, they draw a final card from the stock and end their turn, even if they can make a meld with the drawn card. 

Notably, a player may rearrange all of the melded cards as long as they return to valid melds at the end of their turn.

Melds

A player makes a meld by either having three or more of a kind or by having three or more of a run. A run is made of three or more cards of the same suit in increasing or decreasing order. When a player makes a meld they lay it face up on the table. 

Melds are communal, meaning once a meld is made, another player can continue the sequence/set with their own cards.

Joker

Jokers are wildcards. If a player has the card that the Joker is replacing, they can swap the two and get the joker to make their own melds. 

Knocking

Once a player has a hand of 5 or less points, a player can choose to “knock” and end the round.

Scoring

In Carousel:

Jokers are worth 25 points.

Face cards are worth 10 points.

Cards 2-10 are worth their face value.

Aces are worth 1 point.

Once somebody Knocks, the player with the least number of points in their hand wins the difference between their opponents’ hand and their own.

If a player Knocks after playing all of their cards, they win a 25 point bonus.

If a player Knocks while somebody else has a lower hand than them, the person with the lower hand wins the points for the round and a 10 point bonus.

For more information about Carousel, check out The Rummy Rule book here or Pagat.com’s article here.

Looking for more card games to play?  Check out this article:

40+ Great Card Games For All Occasions

About the author: John Taylor is a content writer and freelancer through the company Upwork.com. You may view his freelancing profile here. He has a B. A. in English, with a specialty in technical writing, from Texas A&M University and a M. A. in English from the University of Glasgow. You may view his previous articles about card games here and his LinkedIn profile here.

John Taylor Head shot

Last update date: 08/29/20

How to play Faro & Game Rules with Video – PlayingCardDecks.com

(This is the typical set up for the game Faro)

(This is the typical set up for the game Faro)

Card Game Rules

Faro is a historical casino game for two or more players. It requires a standard 52 card deck, an extra set of 13 cards for each rank, a set of betting chips for each player, and a penny for each player. In Faro, Aces are low and Kings are high. The objective is to win the most bets. 

If you are looking for cards to play Faro with, check out a standard deck here or check out one of our recent arrivals here.

For more casino games, check out our guides for In-Between and Baccarat.

You can also find an 1882 rule book to Faro here.

Set-Up

To set-up a game a Faro, place the extra 13 cards in two rows face up in the middle of the playing table. These cards make up the tableau. From the top left going right, the card order should be King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, and 8. The 7 should be placed to the right of and halfway down from the 8. The 6 should then be placed to the left of the 7 and directly below the 8. From the 6 going left, the card order should be 5, 4, 3, 2, and Ace.

The dealer sits opposite of the players with a faced down deck of shuffled cards in-front of them. Players bring their own chips to bet with. Every player receives a penny to bet against cards with.

 

How to Play

The dealer begins the game by showing everyone the top card of the deck. The card is then placed face up to the side of the gameplay area. Players then place bets on one of the cards in the tableau. Next the dealer draws two card from the deck and places them face up for all the players to see. The first card is the loser. The second card is the winner. Bets on the first card are lost. Bets on the second card receive 1:1 payout from the dealer.

The flipped over cards are placed to the side and another round begins. Players can move their bets around, keep them where they were or begin placing bets on multiple cards. Multiple players can bet on the same card. Gameplay continues until the deck runs out.

 

Misc. Rules

A player can bet that the winning card is higher than the losing card by placing chips next to the deck. Payout is 1:1.

A player can bet on the losing card by placing a penny on top of their chip. 

When the deck has three cards left, players can bet on the order of the final draw.

If the losing and winning cards are of the same rank, then the dealer receives half of the bet made.

If a player places a bet on a card that has already been drawn four times from the deck, the first person (player or dealer) who notices can say “dead bet” and receive the chips.

History

(A game of Faro in 1895)

(A game of Faro in 1895)

Faro was first played in 18th century France. It was named after the picture of an Egyptian pharaoh that appeared on many French playing cards. The game spread eastward towards Russia and eventually reached the American West in the 1800’s. By 1925, the game became virtually extinct as Baccarat and Blackjack took over as the more popular games at casinos.

For more information about Faro, check out David Parlett’s article here or Pagat.com’s article here.

 

Looking for more card games to play?  Check out this article:

40+ Great Card Games For All Occasions

About the author: John Taylor is a content writer and freelancer through the company Upwork.com. You may view his freelancing profile here. He has a B. A. in English, with a specialty in technical writing, from Texas A&M University and a M. A. in English from the University of Glasgow. You may view his previous articles about card games here and his LinkedIn profile here.

John Taylor Head shot

Last update date: 0/25/21

Maine Sports Betting Rules Nearly Finalized for November Launch

October 4, 2023


Regulators in Maine have passed one of the final steps in getting ready for its legal sports betting market launch between November 5 and 15. The Maine Gambling Control Unit (MGCU) has sent the proposed adopted rules to the Attorney General’s office for final legal checks and eventually approval.

Once approved, the Secretary of State’s office will take approximately three to five business days to post the adopted rules.

The law legalizing Maine online sports betting was signed by Governor Janet Mills in May 2022. It granted potential for mobile betting licenses exclusively to the state’s four federally recognized tribes. There will be 10 licenses for Maine retail sportsbooks issued. That includes two left open for the Maine casino venues Hollywood Casino Hotel Bangor and Oxford Casino & Hotel.

“So, I just grab that same package that everybody’s signed off on, and I just take that over to the Secretary of State’s Office,” said Milt Champion, executive director of the MGCU.

“And once they publish it for adoption, then we’re good to go. And at that point, anybody that’s submitted an application request for a temporary license, which is part of the requirement, then I will start kicking out licenses that day.”

Navigating Through Regulatory and Ethical Waters

Three of the four licensed tribes, the Mi’kmak Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, and the Penobscot Nation, have opted to collaborate with Caesars Sportsbook as their management service provider.

The Passamaquoddy Tribe has yet to choose an online operator partner, but it is unlikely to be also Ceasars. BetMGM has submitted an online operator application, so it is rumored that they will be second legal online sportsbook in Maine.

BetMGM has also applied for on-track-betting licenses at two Maine horse racing tracks, in Waterville and Sanford.

Whatever sportsbook operator does enter the state will have to adhere to the state’s specific rules. Notably, one rule is prohibiting bets on games involving Maine colleges. In 2023, several Massachusetts retail sportsbooks have already been fined for breaking that particular rule.

While wagers on national tournaments like March Madness will be permissible, outcomes for Maine-based schools, such as the University of Maine and Bowdoin College, will be off-limits to bettors. This measure aims to safeguard the integrity of local educational institutions and their sporting events.

New England Sports Betting

The introduction of sports betting is poised to be a substantial revenue generator for Maine, with projections ranging from $3.8 to $6.9 million, according to a 2017 Oxford Economics Analysis commissioned by the American Gaming Association.

Maine joins the ranks of New England states allowing legal sports wagering, alongside Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Vermont legalized sports betting this year and is expected to launch in 2024.

However, Champion says the MGCU did not pay any extra attention to their neighbors sports betting efforts, but instead looked further afield across the U.S.

“We worked our rules from six to eight other states nationwide, some of which were Colorado, Tennessee, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Montana, Wyoming, and Mississippi,” he said.

50 BEST CHRISTMAS GAMES – Game Rules


50 best Christmas games

Tis the season to be jolly! With Christmas time fast approaching, we will be surrounded by family, delicious food, and good tidings. Add to the fun by checking out our Christmas party games! They are guaranteed to spread a little more Christmas magic. 

These games have been selected to give every Christmas get together the right game for the occasion. We have family Christmas games, Christmas games for kids, and Christmas games for adults. In fact, we have a fun Christmas game for any vibe you’re feeling this Christmas season. 

Wrap the presents, set up the tree, and grab yourself a little holiday cheer. 

CHRISTMAS BOARD GAMES

Board games are a great pass time, and that doesn’t stop when the snow starts falling! We have the best Christmas board games recommendations for you this Christmas time. Below we will talk about themed classics, and fun christmas games that stand all on their own. A mix of great games for families, with the ability to interest both adults and children.

Board games also make for perfect presents. They can be played repeatedly, and are fantastic ways to spend time with family and friends. They make board games for any age! These great Christmas Party Games are sure to please, and can be shared with generations. 

1. CHRISTMAS-OPOLY

Christmasopoly

A Christmas twist on a classic board game, Christmas-opoly is a themed game where 2 to 6 players race to be the person with the highest Christmas value. It is for ages 8 and older, so this makes the perfect family Christmas game. 

This fun christmas game has player tokens such as a reindeer, a train, Scrooge, a teddy bear, and a giant candy cane! It also has themed properties such as Candy Canes and Christmas cookies. You can get presents from the christmas tree to make your property values soar! Be careful not to be naughty, because this Christmas game also comes with its own lump of coal!

WHERE TO BUY IT

If you love Monopoly but just want something more catered to the holiday, Christmas-opoly is perfect for you! It’s a great Christmas game for kids and adults, and a long standing classic revamped. 

2. THE CHRISTMAS EXPRESS

Christmas express

All aboard The Christmas Express! This Christmas game for kids will be a hot hit this winter. This game is made for 2 to 4 players in mind, and is for ages 8 years and older. The Christmas Express is a daring adventure as you race to the North Pole. It only takes 30 minutes to play, making this a great family Christmas game.

Prepare your tickets! This ride is a race to the finish line, right at the North Pole. Players will start from their homes and take off! Be wary of the hazards on the track, and other players trying to slow your progress!

WHERE TO BUY IT

Want to experience all this holiday cheer for yourself? This Christmas game can be found in the link below. The kids are bound to love this game of the season!

3. THE SANTA CLAUSE GAME

santa clause

The Santa Clause game is where your kids get to learn to be Santa! This is a great christmas game for kids, because it teaches the values of giving and sharing. It’s for ages 3 years and older, making it a great family Christmas game for the little ones. 

Kids will love this perfect Christmas party game! While they love playing they will also be learning. This game has received the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval. Kids will choose their sleigh and fill it with presents to deliver all over the board. They will sing, dance, and do their best Santa impressions.

WHERE TO BUY IT

The Santa Clause game has your kids learning the value of giving to others. Kids get to hand out presents, do funny challenges, and be introduced to the concept of sharing. This is a great educational game for the tiny tots this Christmas season.

4. CLUE: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

clue the grinch

If you love traditional CLUE, you will love this themed edition of a fantastic classic. This fun Christmas game is for 2 to 6 players. Made for ages 8 years and older. This twisted tale of the original needs players to solve the crime of who stole Christmas. 

Players will take the roles of the movie’s incredible characters. You can play the Mayor, Cindy-Loo-Who, and many more. Players must race to solve the mystery. Who caught the Grinch? What did he steal? And from where did he steal it! Solve all these and accuse the Grinch of his treacherous plot to ruin Christmas. 

WHERE TO BUY IT

If you love the classic and want a holiday themed edition look no further. This game makes a fantastic gift, or can also make a perfect night of holiday fun!

5. ELF CARD SCRAMBLE BOARD GAME

elf card scramble

Elf is the perfect Christmas movie, and now you can compete with your family and friends in the classic film’s setting. This game is for 2 to 4 players, and is recommended for ages 12 years and older. The goal is to complete your collection, players will compete to draw cards, find matches, and use strategy to out smart the other elves. 

In this game you can play as Buddy, Jovie, Santa, or Poppa Elf. There are three different play options for this fun Christmas game. Players will draw cards, collect matches, and out strategize the other players in order to win!

WHERE TO BUY IT

This is a great Christmas party game for any fan of the movie Elf. It has a fun competitive spirit that keeps the holiday interesting. If you or someone you know loves Buddy the Elf, they will love this game.

6. OPERATION RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER

operation rudolph

See Rudolph’s shining nose and hear Bumble’s roar in Operation Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer! If you enjoyed the classic operation then prepare yourself for this fun Christmas game version of it. It’s made for ages six and up, and can be played by 1 or more players! The range of this game allows the whole family to participate. 

Steady your hand to remove new wacky parts such as the Mistletoe, the cold shoulder, sweet tooth, and a charlie horse. Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster needs your help. Scrub up with Santa, Rudolph, and Hermey to help perform a Christmas miracle. 

WHERE TO BUY IT

Operation’s Fun Christmas game edition is an easy gift for those holiday lovers. This is a great family Christmas game to bring in as tradition.

7. NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS MONOPOLY

Nightmare before Christmas monopoly

Can’t let go of Halloween, or just want a little scare in your season cheer? Nightmare Before Christmas Monopoly is the perfect Christmas party game. This game is made for 2 to 6 players, ages 8 years and older. This game is a great present for those who love the movie!

The edition of this fun Christmas game has Jack Skellington, Evil Teddy, Zombie Duck, the Mayor’s Hearse, Sally, and Oogie Boogie. They have incredible properties such as Zero’s Tomb, and Jack’s Spiral! Players will compete to become the king of Halloween Town, buying toys and assembly lines to improve their properties. 

WHERE TO BUY IT

If you love Christmas party games, and love The Nightmare Before Christmas, this is an incredible find. PLay the classic game of Monopoly with a fun and spooky twist.

8. ELF: JOURNEY FROM THE NORTH POLE

elf game

Another Elf game for those who can’t get enough of the movie. Elf: Journey from the North Pole is a Christmas Party game made for 4 players ages 6 years and older. This game is a perfect fun Christmas game to spend some time with friends and family. 

In this great family Christmas game you are trying to help Buddy the elf make his way from the North Pole to New York City. PLayer will play cards from their hands, creating an epic route to the Big Apple. Each player has secret landmarks they must try to visit to earn more points. The player with the most points when Buddy finds his dad wins!

WHERE TO BUY IT

This game is based off a classic Christmas movie, and would be a great gift for any fan. It’s a fun game made for families in mind.

9. ANIMAL UPON ANIMAL: A CHRISTMAS STACKING GAME

animal upon animal

Animal Upon Animal: A Christmas Stacking Game is a perfect Christmas game for kids. It is made for ages 4 and older, and can be played with 1 to 4 players. It helps children develop fine motor skills and helps with hand and eye coordination. 

The game is full of whimsy, with christmas themed stacking blocks in the shape of a sleigh, christmas tree, white rabbit, a squirrel, a reindeer, a penguin, and a star! Players will roll a dice and have to stack blocks on top of the stack. The stack start with a mountain piece and builds up from there.

WHERE TO BUY IT

This game is a limited collector’s edition of the game. The game comes with a decorated tin case, and carved beech wood from Germany. 

10. HOLIDAY FEVER

holiday fever

Holiday Fever is a fast-paced family Christmas game. It is made for 2 to 6 players ages 8 years and older. The game comes with both a rule sheet and video instructions, to make learning the rules easy. This game is crazy enough to keep the kids engaged, and strategic to keep the adults entertained as well.

This Christmas party game is fun for the whole family. Players will race to Christmas day. The goal is to have the most extravagant Christmas! You will race around the board winning contests, buying presents, and collecting the most fun before reaching Christmas day.

WHERE TO BUY IT

If you think Holiday Fever is the game for you this Christmas be sure to pick it up. This game is perfect for a cozy game night in.

CHRISTMAS CARD GAMES

When you don’t have the space for a board game, or just need to accommodate a bigger family, CHristmas card games are a must. We have some incredible christmas party games, from mind-racking trivia, or card games based on your favorite movies. We have a Christmas game for you.

11. 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

12 days

12 Days of Christmas is a fun and festive family Christmas game. The game is made for 3 to 5 players and is best for ages 8 years and older. The play of the game is simple and easy to teach. Games are short, usually around 15 to 20 minutes. It’s a great game for a cozy night in.

The goal of the game is to have the highest amount of days and gifts by the end of the game! Players achieve this by playing through the game and collecting presents, and even Santa and Mrs Clause. This Christmas party game is a blast all year around. 

WHERE TO BUY IT

The game 12 Days of Christmas is great game for a stocking stuffer. It’s also perfect to play around the tree on Christmas day.

12. SEVEN SANTAS CHRISTMAS GAME

seven santas

Seven Santas Christmas game is a card game made for ages 5 years and older. It can play groups of 2 to 4 players. This game is a super easy family Chritsmas game to learn and play. It uses a lot of common mechanics for card games so that it’s easy to explain and can be used to introduce younger children to these game concepts.

To play Seven Santas Christmas Game each player is dealt 7 cards. Each turn a player will either draw a card from the stock or from the discard. The first player with all 7 of Santa’s cards wins!

WHERE TO BUY IT

This game is not yet available in stores. If you are interested in this game check out the link below to see more about it.

13. HOME ALONE KEEP THE CHANGE

home alone

Home Alone Keep the Change is a fantastic Christmas party game. For those who are fans of the movie you will have a great time playing out the circumstances of the film. It is made for 2 to 4 players and is recommended for ages 10 years and older. 

In the game you will either play as one of the wet bandits or as Kevin. For Kevin players they will use a deck of traps in order to stop the bandits. As the bandits you want to get as much loot as you can and escape the house before Kevin’s family gets home.

WHERE TO BUY IT

If this game sounds like a fun christmas game, please checkout the link to explore it more. This would make a great game for the holiday. 

14. TIS THE SEASON CHRISTMAS TRIVIA GAME

tis the season

This game, Tis the Season Christmas Trivia Game, Is a great play for adults and kids. This Christmas game for kids does not have a strict age limit. This game plates up to 12 people, also making it a fantastic Christmas party game. It’s full of fun, interesting, and silly fun facts that will keep the whole family happy.

The trivia questions are a mix of trivia from your favorite christmas movies, songs and many more categories. This game is both educational and entertaining, as it has fun facts about Christmas from all around the world. The player with the most Christmas knowledge wins!

WHERE TO BUY IT

This game is a great pastime for Christmas. It’s a fun game that can be played anywhere and is easy to bring along for Christmas traveling. 

15. MERRY DISSMAS

merry dissmas

Feeling like a Christmas roast is in order? WIth Merry Dissmas you’ll be in stitches with all the ridiculous questions and answers you’ll encounter. Merry Dissmas is a Christmas party game for ages 12 years and older. It plays a minimum of 3 players but can be played with 20 or more players. 

The game is pretty simple. There will be a Dis-master which rotates with each round. The player will draw a question card out and read it to the group. All other players will write down their funniest answer and it will be read out loud to the group!

WHERE TO BUY IT

If you want a crazy callout this Christmas season, Merry Dissmas is the perfect game for you. It’s a fun game that will keep players laughing for hours. 

16. CHRISTMAS STORY – A MAJOR CARD GAME

Christmas story

Need a quick and fun Christmas game? Christmas Story- A Major Card Game is perfect for you. Its play time is around 15 minutes and is easy to learn and teach. The game plays 3 to 6 players that are ages 8 years and older. The goal of the game is to make sure Ralphie gets his BB gun and Decoder for Christmas!

Players will compete to find Ralphie’s coveted Christmas presents. They will need to wheel and deal with their competitors in order to do so. Not to mention there will be bullies and triple-dog-dares to watch out for.

WHERE TO BUY IT

This is the perfect stocking stuffer this season. If you love A Christmas Story movie, the game will be just as fun!

17. NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION

National Lampoon's Christmas

This great family Christmas game is for any fan of the movie, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation! Now you can enjoy the movie all over again in game form. It’s a perfect Christmas party game, and  is made for 2 to 4 players ages 8 years and older. The game can be played in 20 minutes and would fit perfectly into a stocking. 

The goal of the game is to help Clark add all the Christmas lights to the house. However, you must watch out for the squirrels and make sense of the tangled wires. Find the right pattern in this chaos and win!

WHERE TO BUY IT

This game is a great gift for adults and kids alike. It’s a perfect Christmas morning game to keep the kids entertained. 

Santa cookie elf

Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman is the holiday version of a popular game called Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. It is a perfect Christmas party game. It plays 3 to 8 players and is recommended for ages 8 years and older. This game can be played anywhere and is small and transportable. It is super easy to learn and teach and can be set up in just a few minutes. The game play is short but fun needing alone about 15 minutes to play!

Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman is a fast paced and fun Christmas game. PLayers slap their cards on the table while saying the next word in the line. If the word and card ever match you must not be the last player to notice!

WHERE TO BUY IT

This game is a perfect Christmas party game to bring along anywhere. This game is great year round and is tons of fun!

19. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: A CARD GAME

Christmas lights

Christmas Lights is the perfect family Christmas game. It plays 2 to 6 players ages 6 years and older. It also is an incredible value because not only is it the standard game but there are an additional 12 games to play with the deck included!  You’ll never be tired of the game with 13 versions of it to play.

Players will trade strings of light and play cards in order to make beautiful Christmas light patterns on the tree! The player able to complete two full sets of lights wins! Of course this is only one game of 13 to choose from!

WHERE TO BUY IT

Christmas Lights is an incredible gift for this Christmas season. It’s a perfect value for 13 games in one!

20. THIS THAT AND EVERYTHING – MERRY CHRISTMAS EDITION

this that everything

This That And Everything is a great game in itself, but now check out This That and Everything- Merry Christmas Edition! This game is the ultimate Christmas party game. It is recommended for ages 12 years and older, and plays 4 to 44 players! This game can be played by any group. 

This fun Christmas game is a team game, so everyone will grab a partner. Each team takes turns. One player will draw a card and must give clues in order for their partner to guess the correct answer. Be fast, the timer is for only 30 seconds!

WHERE TO BUY IT

This game is great to bring for any Christmas party. It also makes a perfect gift for any holiday lover!

  • THIS THAT AND EVERYTHING PARTY GAME – MERRY CHRISTMAS EDITION (Buy it on Amazon

DIY CHRISTMAS GAMES

Feeling a bit crafty this Christmas season? We have several recommendations for a more personalized game experience. Bring the whole family together making over the house to be a holiday fun zone.

21. CHRISTMAS CHARADES

Christmas charades

Christmas Charades is a holiday twist on the classic game. To create this game yourself you’ll need to make a large stack of Christmas themed answer cards, these can then be shuffled and placed into a container. Players will then define teams, which can be as large or small as the host decides. Teams will then take turns, with one player acting out the answer without using sound while the other members guess. A timer is set to get as many answers in a few minutes as possible. The fun Christmas game can be made to fit any number of players!

WHAT YOU NEED

  • A timer, a stack of Christmas themed answer cards, a container to pull from, and a pen and paper for score keeping. If you want to skip the DIY below is a link to a ready made version. 
  • CHRISTMAS CHARADES (Buy it on Amazon

22. CHRISTMAS SCAVENGER HUNT

Christmas scavenger hunt

A Christmas scavenger hunt is fun for the whole family. The host of the game must make a list of items they plan to hide in a determined area, then hide those items. Copies of the list of items will be made for each player or team that participates in the game. Once the hunt is set, the players are released as they compete to be the first to find all the items before anyone else. 

This is a great family Christmas game to play. It can be made to host as many players as needed, and can be set for any difficulty as well. 

WHAT YOU NEED

  • Pens, lists of all of the scavenger hunt items, a collection of Christmas themed items (or photos of items), and a determined area for the hunt.  If you want to skip the DIY check out this version of the game available below. 
  • CHRISTMAS SCAVENGER HUNT (Buy it on Amazon

23. CHRISTMAS PICKLE

Christmas pickle

There’s a Christmas tradition that is becoming more widespread. The christmas pickle is the perfect Christmas game for kids to play before opening presents. The hosts of the game must first make their christmas pickle. This can be done with pottery, laminated paper, or an ornament. Once it is made the hosts will hide the pickle either somewhere in the christmas tree, around the presents, or somewhere around the house, depending on how difficult you want the search to be. Once it is hidden the kids are released to search. The first to find the Christmas pickle opens the first present!

WHAT YOU NEED

  • Christmas pickle made of your choice of material, and a designated area.  If you want to skip the DIY, here’s a Christmas Pickle ornament. 
  • CHRISTMAS PICKLE (Buy it on Amazon

24. CHRISTMAS MAD LIBS

Christmas mad libs

Christmas Mad Libs is the perfect family Christmas game to play throughout the season. The host must make the blank Mad Lib page using Christmas themes. An appropriate amount must be made for as many players or instances the game will be played. Once made the sheets can be filled out by asking other players for random nouns, verbs, adjectives, ect. While the original player writes the answers down. Once the page is full, it can then be read out loud to the party, or even acted out using the answers given. This is a great game even the host can play too!

WHAT YOU NEED

  • Christmas themed Mad Lib pages, pens, and guests. If you want to skip the DIY here is a version of Christmas Mad Libs online below. 
  • CHRISTMAS MAD LIBS (Buy it on Amazon

25. ANTLER RING TOSS

antler ring toss

An Antler Ring Toss is a great Christmas party game! It can be made into a drinking game for a fun Christmas game for adults, as well as being a great family Christmas game. To set up an Antler Toss first the host must decide where and what the antlers will be made of. Real antlers can be placed a distance away, or antler hats may be worn. The host will also need rings as well. To play people will take turns throwing the rings to attempt to hook them onto an antler! The person with the most rings hooked wins. 

WHAT YOU NEED

  • Antlers, either real, worn, or constructed, a way to keep score, and small rings to toss. If you want to avoid DIY, you can buy an Antler Ring Toss kit online below. 
  • ANTLER RING TOSS (Buy it on Amazon

26. SHAVING SANTA

shaving santa

Shaving Santa is a great family Christmas game. To start the players must separate into teams of two. The host should make sure each team has the same amount of shaving cream. THe team will prepare for the game, one sitting in a chair to be shaved and the other being the barber. Two teams at a time will play. WHen both barbers are ready with their towel, shaving cream, and popsicle stick, the host can say go! Both barbers will rush forward covering their “santa” with shaving cream to form a beard from ear to ear and above the top lip. Once their santa is covered with the shaving cream they will then start to “shave it off”. Once the timer runs out, whichever team was closest to completion wins a point. 

WHAT YOU NEED

  • Shaving Cream (Buy it on Amazon), a santa hat, popsicle sticks, a towel, and a timer

27. PIN THE NOSE ON RUDOLPH 

pin the nose on Rudolph

A classic party game with a Christmas twist, Pin the nose on the Rudolph makes the perfect Christmas party game.  The host can make a DIY Rudolph by drawing the famous character. I would recommend laminating the picture to use again in years to come, and the stickers will be easier to remove. The host should then either find or make several red circular stickers for Rudolph’s nose. 

To play this fun Christmas game, players will take turns, one at a time. They will be given a sticker, blind folded and then spun around several times before being faced toward Rudolph. The player is then released and must stumble their way to the picture and place their nose where they believe it should go. 

WHAT YOU NEED

  • A Large drawing of Rudolph, a blind fold, and red stickers.
  • PIN THE NOSE ON RUDOLPH  (Buy it on Amazon

28. CHRISTMAS NAME THAT TUNE

name that tune

Christmas name the tune is a fun and easy game for the whole family. The host will collect some Christmas music to be played during the game, and will need a timer as well. Players will gather for this family Christmas game, and will sit together. One at a time a player will go. The host will play the song but only for as long as the timer is. The player must guess the name of the song before the timer runs out to get a point. To make the game more difficult you may also require the artist who is singing the song as well. 

WHAT YOU NEED

29. SARAN WRAP PRESENTS

saran wrap presents

Saran wrap presents is a great Christmas game for a family tradition. The game is simple in concept but very fun in practice. The host will buy presents for the wrap. Some should be smaller gifts, and you should have at least one desirable gift for the center. The host will start by wrapping the best present first, we suggest in wrapping paper so it’s not visible. The host will begin wrapping the first present in layers of saran wrap. As the host continues to wrap they may add more gifts in between the layers, and may also use other materials such as glitter, duct tape, or slime, to make the unwrapping more chaotic. 

Once the present is fully wrapped the game can begin. The grift will be passed around the group, and each player will attempt to unwrap as much as they can within their time limit. Anything they unwrap in the process is theirs!

WHAT YOU NEED

  • Lots of Saran Wrap (Buy it on Amazon), gift(s), a timer, and any other material you wish to use. 

30. UGLY SWEATER CONTEST

ugly sweaters

An ugly sweater contest is both fun and easy. It is also an incredible Christmas party game. The host should reach out to all guests before the party to let them know about the contest. Let them know to wear their best ugly Christmas sweater. This is also a great time to let them know if there are any rules or restrictions. 

Partygoers will show up in their sweaters and all that remains is the vote. The host should have a system in place, such as a station to vote or a person to bring their vote to. The player withe the ugliest sweater wins. 

WHAT YOU NEED

FAMILY CHRISTMAS GAME

If you’re looking for a game the whole family can play, we have fantastic family christmas games. Make sure no one feels left out of the fun. With our games we have a mix of games great for smaller children and one that are fun for both the kids and adults. 

31. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

Charlie Brown Christmas

If you are looking for a great family Christmas game, A Charlie Brown Chritmas is sure to please. Named after the classic Christmas movie, this game has players racing to help Charlie Brown find the greatest Christmas tree of all time! The game can play 2 to 4 players and is recommended for players 8 years and older. 

The players will each choose their character from Snoopy, Linus, Sally, or Charlie Brown. Then the race through the Winter wonderland begins. Keep your wits about you as you tread through the icy lands, and remember that family and friends are more important than anything this Christmas season. 

WHERE TO BUY IT

A Charlie Brown Christmas is a fantastic family Christmas game that is perfect for any fan of the movie. It’s a fun, easy, and quick game for this Christmas. 

32. RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER MEMORY MASTER CARD GAME

Memory Master Rudolph

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Memory Master is a fun Christmas game for the whole family. It plays four players, in two teams. It’s recommended for ages 6 years and older, making it a great family Christmas game. It is also super easy to learn, only taking 5 minutes to explain. The game is also only 30 minutes long. 

The players will team up, and begin playing. Each player is given a hand of five cards that they must memorize, then players switch hands with their teammate. Each player then chooses a card trying to match the card their partner will pick. If you match you gain a point!

WHERE TO BUY IT

This game is fun, simple, and perfect for Christmas. This game is sure to please any little one in the house. 

33. RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER CHRISTMAS JOURNEY

Rudolph's Christmas journey

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas Journey is the perfect Christmas game for kids and adults alike. It features tons of Christmas characters we know and love. The game is made for 2 to 4 players and is recommended for ages 8 years and older. This fun family Christmas game comes with three game modes and classic characters such as Rudolph, Hermey, and more. 

Players are enlisted by Santa to help Rudolph find the misfit toys before Christmas day. The players will explore the winter wonderland in hopes of tracking down these toys so that all the little boys and girls will have their presents on Christmas morning.

WHERE TO BUY IT

Get this game for a Rudolph lover in your family. It’s the perfect game for kids this Christmas season.

34. CHIP ‘N’ DALE CHRISTMAS TREASURES

Chip n Dale Christmas

Chip ‘n’ Dale Christmas Treasures is a great Christmas game for kids. It plays ages 5 years and older and can play 2 to 6 players. The game is easy to learn and typically lasts for 20 minutes. It’s a fantastic resource to teach kids memory skills.

The players will race to collect as many treasures for Chip and Dale’s stockpile for winter. One player at a time, they will take turns flipping cards looking for matches. The game includes events to watch out for, and a start to top the tree! The player with the most treasures at the end of the game wins!

WHERE TO BUY IT

Chip ‘n’ Dale Christmas Treasure is a fun Christmas game that is perfect for a stocking stuffer. Kids will love this fun festive game. 

35. THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS MERRY MADNESS

Merry Madness

If your little one is a fan of Halloween, this would be the perfect game for them! The Nightmare Before Christmas Merry Madness is a family Christmas game to die for. The game can play 3 to 5 players and is recommended for ages 6 years and older. The game has strong themes from the movie it is based on and has the perfect mix of festive and spooky. 

The players will be rushing to make presents to send off to the children of the world. Fulfill the presents requested form the dice roll and rush them to Sandy Claws bag!

WHERE TO BUY IT

This is a fun, and easy game to play this Christmas season. The themes and multiple ways to play will keep the excitement going. 

36. SANTA’S FACTORY

Santa's Factory

Santa’s Factory is an incredible Christmas game for kids. It;s made for 2 to 4 players and is recommended for ages 4 years and older. Kids will love this game which has tubes to slide gifts through and a rotating Santa’s sleigh. 

The goal of the game is to load all the presents into Santa’s sleigh so he can deliver presents to all the nice girls and boys of the world. The kids will learn motor skills and will train depth perception and strengthen object permanence. It’s sure to keep your kids busy and entertained all through the Christmas season. 

WHERE TO BUY IT

Santa’s Factory is the perfect game to get a little one this Christmas. The dynamic board and gameplay will help stimulate their brains and have fun.

37. FROSTY THE SNOWMAN BOARD GAME

Frosty the Snowman

Frosty the Snowman Board Game is an exciting race to save Frosty and keep him coming back year after year. This is the perfect family Christmas game. It plays 2 to 4 players, and is recommended for ages 8 years and older. This game is great for a cozy night in.

Players will play one of 4 Frosty characters. They will race to the North Pole, avoiding dangers and obstacles in order to find Santa. Santa can use his Christmas magic to save Frosty and make sure he can return every Christmas. The player to help save Frosty first wins the game!

WHERE TO BUY IT

This game is perfect for a small Christmas gathering. If it’s just you and the kids this Christmas, this game will be fun for all. 

38. MATCH: RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER

Match Rudolph

Match: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is the perfect game to get your little ones this Christmas. This Christmas game for kids, is recommended for ages as young as 4 years and older. The game plays 2 players, making it perfect for your kids to play together. It teaches memory, strategy, and cognitive skills. 

KIds will love this game that has some of their favorite Christmas characters on it. The game is simple: match 5 in a row of any character in any direction and win! Kids will have fun playing with the blocks and it’s the perfect size to travel with. 

WHERE TO BUY IT

If you’re traveling, or just want to give the kids something to have fun with, this game is perfect. It’s simple, quick, and easy to clean up.

39. MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL GAME

Mickey's Christmas Carol

Mickey’s Christmas Carol Game is a great pastime. It encompasses the themes of Christmas perfectly by bringing in details from the movies. It’s a fun Christmas game that can be played with 2 to 4 players. It is also recommended for ages 4 years and older, making it available for the whole family. 

Players will race the clock, collecting puzzle pieces from the bag and trying to recreate pictures before Scrooge can wake up. Each player will have a small puzzle board, showing a scene from the movie. They must collect all their pieces and solve the puzzle before the clock strikes. 

WHERE TO BUY IT

This cozy game is small and easy to travel with. It’s a great game to showcase the events of the movie, and have kids remembering the themes of the movie.

40. DR. SEUSS: MERRY GRINCHMAS!

Merry Grinchmas

Merry Grinchmas! Or maybe not so merry for the Whos of Whoville. Dr. Seuss: Merry Grinchmas is a great family Christmas game, and is super fun for those who are a fan of the movie. The goal is to collect presents for the Whos before Grinch steals them all away. 

Players will race the grinch, making and saving as much of Christmas as they can from the Grinch. They will race across the board hoping to save Christmas. The whos are none the wiser and if you manage to gather more presents than the Grinch, Christmas will be saved and you will win!

WHERE TO BUY IT

You can find this fun Christmas game below. It’s a great gift to those who are a fan of the classic film, and make a fantastic way to spend some time together on Christmas day.

CHRISTMAS DRINKING GAMES

Drinking games are fun for any occasion, but we have some special Christmas games for adults that are sure to liven up the party. In these fun Christmas games, we have games for any number of party goers. Some allow a competitive edge, and others are meant to just add to the classic entertainment. Always drink responsibly!

41. SANTA HAT DRINKING GAME

Santa hat

The Santa Hat Drinking game is a great Christmas party game. It does not need a lot of setup, and does not have any complicated rules to pay attention to. The host will need to get a large Santa hat. Then the party should discuss a movie to put on. Once a movie is decided on the host should place the hat on one of the corners of the TV. Any time a character ends up wearing the Santa hat you must drink. To make it even more exciting you can put a Santa hat on both sides of the TV. 

WHAT YOU NEED

42. CHRISTMAS ALPHABET GAME

Christmas Alphabet

The Christmas Alphabet game is an exciting, and fast-paced Christmas game for adults. The host will prepare drinks and then all players should sit around in a circle for the game. The first player will start the game off by saying out loud a Christmas themed word starting with the letter A, such as angel. The next player must quickly, without pause, state another Christmas themed word starting with the letter B. This continues until a player pauses too long or does not have an answer, they must drink. The game continues and once the alphabet is completed you may start over from the beginning or end the game. 

WHAT YOU NEED

43. “DRINK IF” GAME- CHRISTMAS

Drink if

Drink If – Christmas is a Christmas game that plays like the opposite of Never Have I Ever. Players will sit around together with drinks. The first player to go will need to think of a prompt. The player will declare “drink if…” and give a Christmas related scenario. Some good examples would include “drink if…” you’ve missed a flight on Christmas, regifted a Christmas present, or kissed under mistletoe. The players who have done this scenario will drink. The next player will choose another scenario to state. The game continues until the players are too drunk to keep playing or when interests wane. 

WHAT YOU NEED

44. JINGLE SHOTS

Jingle shots

Jingle shots is a festive and fun Christmas game for adults. The goal of the game is to be the most sober by the end. The host should get shot glasses and alcohol ready for the game. The players will sit around in a circle and the first player will start singing their favorite Christmas song. After singing a line or two the player to their left must continue the song with the next time. Players continue going around the circle until the song ends or a player messes up a line or doesn’t know the next one. WHen this happens the player who messes up must take a shot and then start singing their favorite song from the beginning.

WHAT YOU NEED

45. PRANCER PONG

Prancer pong

If you have played classic Ping Pong, Prancer Pong is a Christmas variant that’s perfect for the holiday. The host must collect a nice table, several plastic cups, and ping pong balls. The game is set up so that instead of a triangle shape on each teams side, there is a Christmas tree shape made with the cups. Teams will be made, and the game can begin. The players will take turns throwing the balls in an attempt to make their ball into a cup. When a player scores then the other team’s player must drink. The cup is then removed from the shape. The first team to clear their opponent’s table is the winner.

WHAT YOU NEED

  • Cups, Ping Pong table, Ping Pong balls, Alcohol. Here is a link to a Christmas Beer pong set (Buy it on Amazon

46. KRIS KRINGLE

Kris Kringle

Kris Kringle is a simple yet complex game. It is an easy to set up, and play Christmas party game. The host should get lots of alcoholic drinks for the party. PLayers will all sit next to each other in a large circle. The game starts of simple, the first player looks to the player to their left and says “Kris Kringle”. The next player will do the same and so forth. Eventually a player may decide to say “jingle jingle”. Any time this phrase is said the order of the phrase reverses. Moving forward from the player who says “jingle jingle” now each player must say “Kringle Kris”. If a player messes up the phrase they must drink.

WHAT YOU NEED

47. ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE

rockin' around the christmas tree

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree is a fantastic Christmas game for adults. This game takes music, drinking, and dancing to a whole new level. The host should set up the christmas tree so participants can dance round the circumference. Drinks should be prepared, and music should be readied. To play the host will start up the music. All players then begin to dance around the Christmas tree. Once the host stops the music all players must freeze! The host will check each person to make sure they are sufficiently frozen and deadpan. If anyone does not meet their standard they must drink! Then the music starts up again. 

WHAT YOU NEED

48. NEVER HAVE I EVER-CHRISTMAS EDITION

Never have i ever

Never have I Ever is a classic party game. Now you can play it with a Christmas twist. This great drinking game is also a fantastic Christmas game for adults as well. The game is very similar to the original. The players will all take turns declaring this they have never experienced on Christmas. Some examples include Never have I Ever…. Drank eggnog, kissed under the mistletoe, lost a present on christmas day, ect. 

Once a player makes a declaration, every player who has done the activity must take a drink. The game can be played until the players are satiated. 

WHAT YOU NEED

49. ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH

angels we have heard on high

Angels we have Heard on High is a fun Christmas game. It is very loud though so be warned. The goal of the game is to be able to distinguish who is the angel every round. To play a random player is chosen to close their eyes for the turn. Another random player will loudly yell “on high” over the sounds of the party. The first player must then guess which party goer is the angel they heard. If they guess correctly then the angel must take a drink, but if the guesser is incorrect the they must drink instead.

WHAT YOU NEED

50. DECK THE HALLS

deck the halls

Deck the Halls is a fantastic Christmas game for adults. It’s a fun drinking game that involves stealth and opportunity. The host will need to buy lots of Christmas bows, and alcohol for the occasion. The host will then either choose to divvy up the bows equally to each player or to have the bows scattered around the party area available to everyone. 

The player will attempt to secretly stick bows onto the backs of other party goers. If they notice the bow is removed and the player caught must take a drink. At the end of every hour the player must see how many bows they each have on their backs and take that many drinks. 

WHAT YOU NEED

CONCLUSION

There are so many great games to choose from, whether you are looking for family Christmas games, or some Christmas games for adults only. We have compiled these games to make the season a little easier. The games above make perfect Christmas party games as well as terrific presents. You can’t go wrong planning your holiday with these games in mind. 

Sit back and relax, using this resource to take a little stress off you this Holiday season. WIth all the festivities planned and the hustle and bustle of Christmas Day, make sure you find time to connect and spend time with friends and family. 

Amber Crook
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