The Penguin Book of Card Games (1979) Board Game

The Penguin Book of Card Games was first released in 1979 by Penguin Books. It was designed by David Parlett and features artwork by Ben Kirchner. The book is a comprehensive guide to a wide variety of card games, providing instructions on how to play and strategy tips for each game. It has become a classic reference for card game enthusiasts over the years.

Game Components of The Penguin Book of Card Games

Book: A 474-page hardcover or paperback containing detailed rules, variations, and origins of various card games.

Card Decks: While the book itself does not include cards, it describes games that use Western Decks of 52 cards, as well as other types of decks like Tarot, Spanish, Swiss, and German packs.

How To Setup The Penguin Book of Card Games

To use this book, you don’t need to set it up like a traditional game. Instead, it serves as a reference guide. You can use the index to find a specific game and read its rules and variations. The book provides working descriptions of each game, making it easy to learn and play new card games.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Categories: Includes games of high skill (e.g., Bridge), games of high chance (e.g., Newmarket), trick-taking games (e.g., Whist), and banking games (e.g., Pontoon).

Game Mechanics: Varies widely depending on the game, including trick-taking, bidding, and betting.

Game Objective: Objectives vary by game, such as winning tricks, scoring points, or achieving specific card combinations.

Player Experience

This book is designed for both novice and experienced players. It offers a wealth of information that can help you discover new games and deepen your understanding of card games. The detailed descriptions and historical context make it an engaging read, even if you don’t plan to play every game listed.

Pros

Comprehensive: Covers over 250 card games with detailed rules and variations.

Informative: Includes historical context and origins of various games.

Versatile: Suitable for players of all skill levels.

Reference Tool: Can be kept as a handy reference guide for learning new games.

Cons

Tedious to Read Cover-to-Cover: The book is so detailed that reading it cover-to-cover can be tedious if you’re not interested in every game.

No Visual Aids: Depends on text descriptions, which may not be as helpful as visual guides for some players.

Personal Thoughts on The Penguin Book of Card Games

This book is ideal for anyone who loves card games and wants to explore beyond the familiar. It’s a must-have for serious card game enthusiasts and those looking to expand their game repertoire. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced player, The Penguin Book of Card Games is a valuable resource that can provide countless hours of entertainment and learning.

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