You’re sitting at a table with a worn-out deck of Bicycle cards and someone asks, "What should we play?" If you’re like most people, your brain probably glitches for a second before landing on the same three games you’ve played since 2005. But honestly, card games that start with S make up some of the most mechanically diverse and culturally significant ways to waste an afternoon—or win a fortune.
We’re talking about everything from the cutthroat betting of Stud Poker to the brain-melting complexity of Skat. There is something weirdly specific about this letter. It hosts the most popular solitaire variant in history and the game that basically defined gambling in the Wild West.
Let’s get into it.
Spades: The King of Strategy and Trash Talk
If you’ve ever been to a backyard BBQ or a college dorm room, you know Spades. It isn’t just a game; it's a social contract. You and a partner are trying to predict exactly how many "tricks" you can take, and if you miss that mark, the penalty is brutal.
Spades was popularized in the 1930s and 40s, specifically within the US military. Soldiers brought it home, and it became a staple of American card culture. The beauty of it lies in the "spade" suit itself. It's always the trump. You don't have to guess which suit is high; the black leaf is king.
Most people play to 500 points. You bid, you play, and you pray your partner isn't a "sandbagger"—someone who intentionally bids low to rack up "bags" (overtricks) which eventually cost you 100 points. It's a game of communication without speaking. You watch your partner’s lead. You track the Queens. If you aren't paying attention to the "Big Joker" and "Little Joker" (depending on your house rules), you’ve already lost.
Solitaire: More Than Just a Windows Time-Waster
Actually, let's be technically correct here. Most people call it Solitaire, but the version we all know from the early days of PC computing is Sycophant or, more accurately, Slightly-modified Klondike. But under the "S" umbrella, we have Spider Solitaire.
Spider is the meaner, more sophisticated cousin of the standard game. You use two decks. It’s a nightmare. The goal is to build sequences of cards in descending order from King down to Ace. If you play with all four suits, your chances of winning are statistically slim. It’s a puzzle of organization.
Professional card players often use Spider Solitaire to keep their brains sharp because it requires looking four or five moves ahead. You aren't just moving a 7 of Hearts onto an 8 of Spades; you’re clearing a column to uncover a hidden face-down card that might be the King you need to start a new sequence. It’s methodical. It's quiet. It’s frustratingly addictive.
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The World of Stud Poker
Before Texas Hold 'em took over the televised world, Seven-Card Stud was the undisputed heavyweight champion of the poker world. In fact, if you go to a casino in Atlantic City or Vegas today, you’ll still find the "old guard" grinders sitting at the Stud tables.
Stud is different because there are no community cards. No "flop," no "turn," no "river" that everyone shares. You get your own cards. Some are face up (so the table can see what you’re building) and some are face down (the "hole" cards).
- You get two cards down and one up.
- Betting happens.
- You get three more cards face up, one at a time, with betting rounds between.
- The final card is dealt face down.
It’s a game of memory. You have to remember which cards were folded by other players to calculate your "outs." If you need a Jack of Diamonds to complete your straight, but you saw two Jacks folded in the first round, your odds just tanked. It’s high-stress. It’s slow. It’s beautiful.
Speed: The Game of Reflexes and Ruined Friendships
Speed is the outlier among card games that start with S. It doesn't care about betting or complex math. It cares about how fast your nervous system functions.
Two players. Five cards in hand. Two piles in the middle. You place a card that is one higher or one lower than what’s on the pile. No turns. Just chaos. You’re slapping cards down so hard the table shakes.
I’ve seen more arguments over a game of Speed than over a high-stakes game of Blackjack. Someone always claims they put their 4 down before the other person put their 5. It’s a physical sport disguised as a card game. It’s perfect for kids, but honestly, adults get way more competitive about it.
Skat: Germany’s Complex Mathematical Masterpiece
If you want to feel like a complete novice, try playing Skat with a group of Germans. This is arguably the most difficult game on this list. It’s a three-player game using a 32-card deck (the 7s through the Aces).
Skat involves a "bidding" process that determines who the "declarer" is. The declarer plays against the other two players. The scoring isn't just about winning tricks; it’s about the point value of the cards within those tricks.
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- Aces are 11 points.
- Tens are 10 points.
- Kings are 4.
- Queens are 3.
- Jacks are 2.
The math happens mid-game. You're constantly calculating if you've reached the 61 points needed to win. It’s a game of "perfect information" (mostly), where skilled players can deduce almost exactly what is in their opponents' hands by the third or fourth lead. It was invented in Altenburg, Germany, around 1813, and there is literally an International Skat Players Association that regulates the rules. It's that serious.
Slapjack and Spit: The Playground Classics
We can't talk about "S" games without hitting the childhood nostalgia. Slapjack is simple: deal the whole deck, take turns flipping cards, and the first person to slap a Jack wins the pile. It’s a great way to end up with red, stinging palms.
Then there’s Spit. It’s very similar to Speed but with a slightly different layout. You have "stock" piles like Solitaire. It’s another "no-turns" game. The goal is to get rid of all your cards. When both players are stuck, you both yell "Spit!" and flip a new card from your side piles. It's frantic. It's loud.
Switch: The Original Uno
Long before there were colorful Uno decks, people played Switch. In the UK, it’s a massive deal. In the US, people often call it "Crazy Eights," but the "Switch" variation has its own specific flavor.
In Switch, certain cards have powers. Two forces the next player to pick up two cards. An Ace changes the suit. A Jack might skip the next player. It’s the "S" game that requires the most house-rule negotiations before you start. Everyone plays it differently. "Does a 2-on-a-2 stack?" "Can you end on a power card?" These are the questions that define the evening.
Stuss and Faro: The Ghosts of the Old West
If you’re a fan of history or Western movies, you’ve probably seen characters playing a game that looks like Blackjack but isn't. That was likely Faro, and its simplified, more "honest" cousin was Stuss.
Faro was the most popular game in 19th-century America. It was eventually killed off because it was too easy for dealers to cheat. Stuss was the version played in the "dens" of New York and the saloons of the frontier. It’s a "banker" game where players bet on which cards will be drawn from a specialized box. While you won't find it in a modern casino, it’s the ancestor of almost every betting game we have today.
Sweeping the Table: Scopa
Technically, Scopa is an Italian game, and it translates to "broom." The goal is to "sweep" the cards off the table. It uses a 40-card deck (traditionally Italian suits, but you can use a standard deck if you remove the 8s, 9s, and 10s).
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It’s a game of capture. You play a card from your hand to capture cards on the table that sum up to the same value. If you clear the table, you get a "Scopa" and a point. It’s deeply tactical. You have to manage the "Sette Bello" (the 7 of Gold/Diamonds), which is the most valuable card in the game. It’s a masterclass in arithmetic and memory.
Why These Games Persist
There’s a reason these games haven't faded away. Most "S" games—especially Spades and Skat—rely on partnership and deduction. They aren't just about the luck of the draw. They are about reading people.
When you play Spades, you are reading your partner's hesitation. When you play Stud, you are reading your opponent's "tell" as they look at their down card. These games provide a framework for human interaction that a smartphone screen just can't replicate.
Putting It All Together: What Should You Play?
If you’re looking for a new game to try this weekend, your choice depends entirely on the "vibe" of the room.
If you want high energy and noise, go with Speed or Spit. You’ll be tired after twenty minutes, but it’s a rush.
If you have four people and want a night of strategy and friendly (or not-so-friendly) competition, Spades is the gold standard. Just make sure everyone agrees on the rules for "Blind Nil" before you start.
If you’re alone and want to challenge your brain, skip the standard Solitaire and try a "Four-Suit" game of Spider Solitaire. It will probably take you an hour to win a single game, but the satisfaction is immense.
For the history buffs or those who want to feel like a high roller from 1950, find a local card room that still runs Seven-Card Stud. It’s a slower pace of poker that rewards patience and observation over the "all-in" aggression of modern Hold 'em.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your deck: Ensure you have a full 52-card deck with both Jokers. Many "S" games like Spades and Switch require those Jokers.
- Download a Skat app: Before trying to play Skat with real people, use a trainer app. The rules are too dense to learn on the fly.
- Host a "Speed" Tournament: It's the easiest way to get people engaged. Use a bracket system and 2-minute rounds.
- Learn the "Nullo" bid: If you’re playing Spades, learn how to play a "Nil" hand. It’s the most advanced and rewarding part of the game.
The world of card games is massive, but the "S" category is a perfect microcosm of why we play. It covers the gamut from the fastest reflexes to the deepest mathematical theories. Pick a deck up. Deal the cards. Stop scrolling and start playing.