Edition: Classic Casino as played in the US and UK, with 4 cards to each player and 4 on the table, including builds. Last checked October 25, 2026
Casino Card Game Rules: How to Play Casino
Casino is a classic fishing card game where you capture cards from the table by matching them or adding them up. It is great mental math practice and fun for both kids and grandparents. Here are the standard rules, and the spots where Danish families play differently.
- Players
- 2 to 4
- Age
- 7 and up
- Playing time
- 20 to 40 minutes
How to win: Capture cards from the table and score points for most cards, most spades, aces and the two casinos. The first to reach 21 points wins.
Who is right?
The classic arguments at the table when you play Casino.
Can you build in Casino?
Yes, in standard Casino.
Building is part of the standard rules. You must hold a card that can capture your build, and you cannot simply trail on your next turn while your build is waiting. In Danish Kasino, most families play without building and only capture cards that match the card played.
Many families with young kids skip building to keep the game simple.
What are aces and the casinos worth?
It depends on the version.
In standard Casino an ace is 1, the 2 of spades is 2 and the 10 of diamonds is 10, wherever they are. In Danish Kasino they count 14, 15 and 16 when played from the hand.
Some let an ace count as 1 or 14, whichever you choose.
How many points do you play to?
Usually 21.
The standard game is played to 21 points. Most cards is worth 3 points and most spades 1. In the Danish version, most cards scores 1 and most spades 2, and people often play to 16 or 21.
Some just score each deal on its own and name a winner every deal.
Does taking the last cards count as a sweep?
No.
When the last player to capture takes the cards left on the table after the final turn, it does not count as a sweep.
Some give 1 point for making the last capture.
What you need
- A standard 52-card deck
- Paper and pencil for scoring
Setup
- 1Take out the jokers and shuffle the cards.
- 2Deal 4 cards to each player, two at a time.
- 3Lay 4 cards face up on the table.
- 4Set the rest of the deck aside to deal from when players run out.
How to play
- 1The player to the dealer's left starts. You play one card per turn.
- 2You can capture a card on the table that matches the card you play from your hand.
- 3You can also capture several cards that add up to your card. A 9 can take a 4 and a 5, for example. Face cards can only capture by matching.
- 4You may capture several groups at once, as long as each group adds up to your card.
- 5You can also build: play a card onto table cards and announce a total, like a 3 on a 4 for seven. You must hold a card that can capture it on a later turn.
- 6If you cannot or will not capture or build, you trail by laying your card face up on the table.
- 7When everyone has played their 4 cards, the dealer gives each player 4 more, but no more go on the table.
- 8When all cards are played, the player who made the last capture takes any cards left on the table.
- 9Then everyone counts their points, and the next player deals.
Card values
In standard Casino every card has one value. In the Danish version, some cards are worth more when played from your hand.
- 2 through 10: face value
- Ace: 1
- Jack, queen and king: no number value, they only capture a card of the same rank
- Danish way: jack 11, queen 12, king 13, and from the hand an ace is 14
- Danish way: Little Casino is 15 and Big Casino is 16 from the hand
Scoring
Score after each deal. There are 11 points in each deal, plus any sweeps.
- Most cards: 3 points
- Most spades: 1 point
- Each ace: 1 point
- Little Casino (2 of spades): 1 point
- Big Casino (10 of diamonds): 2 points
- Each sweep, if you play with sweeps: 1 point
- If most cards or most spades is tied, nobody scores that point
House rules
Pick the rules you want to play with tonight. Everyone at the table has to agree.
Our Casino rules for tonight
Everything else follows the official rules.
Frequently asked questions
What are Big Casino and Little Casino?
Little Casino is the 2 of spades and Big Casino is the 10 of diamonds. Little Casino scores 1 point and Big Casino 2 points for the player who captures them.
What is a sweep in Casino?
A sweep is when you capture every card on the table at once. In many games it scores 1 point. In Denmark it is called a tabbe.
How many cards do you deal in Casino?
Each player gets 4 cards at a time, and 4 cards go face up on the table at the start.
Source: Standard American Casino rules from common card game references, and Danish and Nordic tradition. The rules are written in our own words. Ask the referee if you are unsure.