Card Games for Long Cabin Evenings
When the rain sets in and the signal drops out, a single deck of cards is the best thing you packed. Here are games that suit two players, a group, or one person by the fire.
Pack a deck, and maybe a board
A standard 52-card deck takes no space and covers dozens of games. If the lodge has a games shelf, check it on arrival; many small places keep a well-used collection, often with a few pieces missing, so count them before you start.
For two players: cribbage
Cribbage is a card game, traditionally for two players, in which points are scored for card combinations and recorded by moving pegs along a cribbage board. It rewards a little arithmetic and a lot of patience, and a single game fits nicely between dinner and bed. If there is no board, pencil and paper will do for keeping score.
For one player: patience
Patience, called solitaire in North America, is a family of card games that can be played by one person. The best-known versions involve building ordered sequences from a shuffled deck. It is a quiet way to unwind when others are reading or asleep.
For a group
- Rummy-style games. Players collect sets and runs; easy to teach, and scales from three to six.
- Trick-taking games. Whist and its relatives suit a table of four and reward partnership.
- Simple party games. Fast shedding games keep children and tired adults involved.
Teaching a game quickly
The best way to teach a card game is to play an open hand first, with everyone's cards face up, explaining choices as you go. One practice round is worth ten minutes of explanation. Write the scoring on a scrap of paper and leave it in the middle of the table, so nobody has to ask twice. If a game is not catching on after a couple of rounds, switch to something simpler rather than pushing through; the point is a pleasant evening, not finishing a match.
Keep it friendly
Agree the rules before the first deal, because every family plays slightly differently. Play for matchsticks or bragging rights, not for money; it keeps a small cabin a pleasant place to be the next morning.
Be a good guest
Return the cards to the shelf, tell the host if a game is missing pieces, and keep the noise down after quiet hours. Sound carries in timber buildings.
For games with boards and dice, see Board Games for a Rainy Stay.
Revised 2026-11-09 · Ottilie Hearne