Dou Dizhu (Fight the Landlord)
Exactly 3 playersChina's most popular card game is made for three: one player bids to become the landlord and plays alone against the other two. Bombs, rockets and long chains make every hand swing.
Three player card games
Plenty of card games fall apart with three people: partnership games need four, and two-player classics don't stretch. The games below are built for three, or play just as well with three as with more.
The first seven you can play free in your browser right now, against bots or with friends. The rest need a deck of cards and a table.
Play these three player games online
BS (Cheat)
3 or more (17 cards each with 3)The bluffing game where you claim cards face-down and anyone can call you a liar. With three players the rank you need comes round fast, so bluffs get called quickly. Online tables seat 3 to 6, with bots in any empty seats.
Also as Cheat
President (Scum)
3 to 7 playersRace to empty your hand. With three players the roles are President, Neutral and Scum, and the Scum hands over their best cards next round. Online tables seat four.
Tongits (Tong-its)
Exactly 3 playersThe Filipino rummy game built for three: meld sets and runs, lay off on anyone's melds, and call Draw when you think your hand is lowest.
Oh Hell (Up and Down the River)
3 to 7 playersBid exactly how many tricks you'll take, then make it, no more and no less. With three players each of you holds a big share of the deck, so every bid is a real decision. Online tables seat 3 to 7.
Also as Nomination Whist
Skat
Exactly 3 playersGermany's national card game, made for three: bid for the right to play alone against the other two, take the skat, and announce a suit game, Grand or Null. The four jacks are always the top trumps.
Badam Satti (Sevens)
3 to 7 players (17 or 18 cards each with 3)India's favourite game of sevens: the 7 of hearts starts, and each suit is built down and up from its seven. With three, everyone holds a big hand, so blocking a row really hurts. Online tables seat 3 to 7.
Also as Sevens (Fan Tan)बदाम सत्ती
More card games for 3 players
Sergeant Major (3-5-8)
3 players
A trick-taking game where each player has a target number of tricks (8, 5 and 3) that rotates every hand. Miss your target and you owe cards to whoever beat theirs.
Ninety-Nine
3 players
A modern trick-taking game where you bid by discarding three cards that encode how many tricks you'll win. Scoring rewards hitting your bid exactly.
Cutthroat Euchre
3 players
Euchre without partners: whoever calls trump plays alone against the other two, so every hand is two against one.
Hearts
3 to 6 (best with 4)
With three players, remove the 2♦ and deal 17 cards each. Avoid taking hearts and the Queen of Spades, or take them all to shoot the moon.
Rummy 500
2 to 8
A rummy game where you score for the melds you lay down and lose points for cards left in hand. Three players is a comfortable, fast table.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best card game for 3 players?
It depends on what you like. Dou Dizhu, Tongits and Skat are classic games designed for exactly three players; BS and President are lighter party games that work well with three.
What card games can 3 people play online?
At bs.fyi you can play Dou Dizhu, Tongits, Skat, Oh Hell, Badam Satti (Sevens), BS and President free in your browser, against bots or with friends. No download or account needed.
How many cards do you deal for 3 players?
For games that use the whole deck, deal 17 cards each and set the last card aside (or give it to the first player). Dou Dizhu deals 17 each from a 54-card deck and keeps 3 as the landlord's kitty.