India and the simple deck of playing cards have a strong connection and relationship since as far as one can remember. Eons ago since they were considered an exclusive sport played only by the royalty right until date to the modest but fun filled “cards” played by one and all: age, class and status no bar.

An exciting past-time in the long summer holidays when going out to play in the swelteringly hot afternoon sun seems impossible to cozy evenings huddled around a table with playing cards listening to rain pattering down the roof. Traveling long distance blues? Nothing like a stimulating card game with equally bored co-passengers to liven the journey!

More recently, with the internet boom and lockdown restrictions, people have taken to online games especially like Rummy enthusiastically and embraced it with open arms. Broadband services that have reached even the most remote areas have made it extremely convenient for one and all to download and play rummy online easily.

However, are you aware that cards too are categorized into groups? Let us find out which are these and at the same time understand the difference between them!

Playing cards are divided into two genres, sorting cards and trick-taking cards.

Sorting cards like the name implies involves “arranging or grouping” or “sorting” of the cards dealt to each player in any game in a particular order.

Although several card games include this method, Rummy is considered the best, play real rummy game to experience why it is an ideal model to understand sorting games. Although its origins have been a matter of unending debate since ages, Rummy continues to rule the roots when it comes to playing card games. 

While playing a rummy cash game the cards, usually 13 are distributed to each player, need to be “sorted” or arranged in a systematic order and grouped into sets and sequences. A set includes a group of 3 or more cards of the same rank but different suits such as 3, 3, 3. A sequence consists of grouped consecutive cards of the same suit such as 1, 2, 3, 4 or 10, J, Q, K. Every player picks cards from either an open or closed deck to create such sets and sequences.If the card picked is useful, then the player can add that card to the sets and discard a useless one to add it to the open deck in the middle. The next player may pick the card thrown by the previous player or may pick a fresh card from the closed deck. The player who manages to make the 3 sets or sequences first is the winner.

 Rummy is immensely entertaining and is a skill-based game that hones one's creativity, observation skills and strategic planning.

Now let us find out what Trick-taking cards involve?

Trick-taking card games basically involves a series of definite or pre-decided rounds of play called tricks which determine the “the taker” or winner of that “trick”. A trick starts with one player” leading” or placing a card from their hand facing upwards on the table, followed by other players in the same manner until the “ trick” is over. Consequently, the trick is” won” by one player according to specific and certain rules set beforehand. Generally tricks are won by the player with the highest suit.

Games such as Bridge, Whist, Spades and Euchre are perfect examples of this genre. In every trick-taking game, at the beginning of each deal, every player is dealt a hand of cards and every hand of cards contains the same number each time. A good example is Bridge, wherein there are 4 players and everyone is dealt a hand of 13 cards. Two teams consist of two players each and are called “pairs”.The players bid for the minimum number of tricks they think they can take to win the deal.

Herein lays the difference between these two highly engaging forms of card play. Card sorting games such as Rummy involve arranging and sorting cards to make a valid declaration in order to win whereas in a trick-taking card game like Bridge, players win “tricks” by bidding on opponents' bids.

Whichever type or genre a card game may belong to, the underlying fact is that every card game is not only a fun-filled and a good source of entertainment, but also one that instills a healthy competitive spirit in every player and at the same time keeps the grey cells energized.