The Most Popular Card Games Across America

Whether you’re a casual player or a high-stakes gambler, card games hold a special place in the hearts of Americans. From playing at casino sites with long-distance friends to poker nights with your pals, card games can bring people together with their mix of skill, strategy, luck – and, of course, the chance to win big. 

But have you ever wondered which card games come up trumps across the entire United States? We delved into the data, gathering average monthly Google Trends data for 12 of the most popular card games in America on a state-by-state basis, revealing fascinating insights into the nation's gaming preferences.

Most popular card games in America

Want to place your bets before you read the rest of the article? Well, we don’t think the results will be a huge surprise, so don’t expect amazing odds – according to the data, here are the most popular card games in America. 

1. Poker

The most popular card game in America is a games night classic, and it can be found at every casino from Atlantic City to Alaska. That’s right: poker, in all of its forms, is the top card game in the US. 

Whether you prefer to play Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or seven-card stud, poker is a classic pick - but ironically, despite giving the names for two of the most popular types of the game, poker was not the favorite in either Texas or Nebraska! But it did reign supreme in 19 states, all the way from Alabama to Alaska. Whether you enjoy the thrill of a good bluff or the sheer satisfaction of beating the odds, poker is America’s favorite card game for a reason. And naturally, if you’re looking for the best Poker sites and casinos to play online, we’ve got you covered.

2. Blackjack

Second on the list of most popular card games is another casino favorite: the classic game of Blackjack. One of the most-played card games in the world, 12 states doubled down on Blackjack as their favorite, including New York and Florida. The mix of simple gameplay with complex strategy and probability makes it easy to play, but tough to master – and makes it the number one game in more than a fifth of US states.

If you’re looking for the best Blackjack sites and bonuses, then you’re in the right place here at Casinos.com – find everything you need to play with the best and most trusted sites.

3. Solitaire

Shockingly enough, in Nevada - home of Las Vegas, and the biggest gambling state in the US – the favorite wasn’t poker or blackjack. Instead, the single-player Solitaire came out trumps. But of course, playing solitaire online can take this solo card to new thrills, so perhaps it’s not a huge surprise that according to Google Trends data, it’s the most-loved card game in 11 states, including New Jersey, home to Atlantic City.

4. Spades

The trick-taking card game of Spades came out top in four states, including Arkansas and Maryland. As Spades was invented in the Midwest, it comes as no surprise that the other two states where Spades came out top were Missouri and Nebraska. The tradition of playing Spades, with its combination of teamwork and strategy, has remained strong in these states, and according to Google Trends data, it’s still a beloved pastime whether you’re playing online or in person. 

5. Hearts

In the heartland of America, the card game of Hearts is still a favorite in three distinct states: North Dakota, South Carolina, and Tennessee. While many may associate games like poker or blackjack with the thrill of competition, Hearts offers a unique blend of strategy and camaraderie that still makes it a beloved classic. 

The least popular card games

So, there you have the most popular card games in America – but which ones aren’t quite so in fashion these days? Well, while it might be truly beloved by older card players, according to Google Trends data, Bridge is the least popular game in America, along with Old Maid. 

Looking at the data across the US, Bridge came out bottom in 38 states, while Old Maid was bottom in 8. And despite remaining popular in casinos (and notably being James Bond’s favorite casino game) baccarat was the bottom pick in 4 states.Top of Form

So, there we have it: America’s most (and least) loved card games – did your go-to game come out trumps, or get a bad beat? If you’re looking for more ideas and information about your favorite card games, why not head on over to our guides for further insight from our experts.

Methodology

To collect this data, we gathered the average monthly Google trends data for 12 of the most popular card games in America on a state-by-state basis, in order to reveal the most popular card games in each state.