Number of players: 2+
Type of game: Card
Period: 15th Century

One and Thirty (also written 31, Einunddreißig, or Trente-et-un) is a classic gambling card game of European origin. Played in taverns and courts from the 16th century onward, it is considered one of the oldest recorded games of its kind and a precursor to blackjack. The aim is simple: assemble a hand as close as possible to thirty-one points, ideally in a single suit.

Number of players: 4(2 teams of 2)
Type of game: Cards Period: 1426+

Karnöffel is one of the oldest known European card games still recorded today, dating back to the 15th century. Its odd rules, power-reversing trumps, and colourful names made it wildly popular in medieval German-speaking lands. It is the ancestor of many European trick-taking games.

History of Karnöffel

• First Recorded: 1426, in Nördlingen, Germany.

• Origins: Played during church festivals and town games, especially Shrovetide and Fastnacht celebrations.

Game: Tarok
Type: Trick-taking card game
Players: Typically 3 or 4
Equipment: 54- or 78-card Tarot deck (depending on the regional variant)
Origin: 15th century Italy, flourishing in Central Europe by the 18th century
Other Names: Tarock, Tarot (game), Königrufen, Tapp Tarock, Bavarian Tarock

Historical Background

Tarok developed from early Italian trick-taking games using the tarot deck, including Trionfi. By the 18th and 19th centuries, Austrian and German variants had formalised into distinct games. Tarok’s popularity endured in Central Europe even as it faded elsewhere, especially in forms like Königrufen (Austria) and Tapp Tarock (Bavaria and beyond). These versions incorporated refined bidding systems, partnerships, and contracts, making Tarok one of the most strategically rich pre-modern card games.

Number of players: 5 originally. Optional rules for 3,4 or 6
Type of game: Card
Period: 1500s

Laugh and Lie Down is a 16th-century English gambling game for five players using a standard 52-card deck. It’s a game of matching pairs and sets, with an early form of pool betting. Simple to learn but chaotic to play, it blends elements of chance, strategy, and social drama—perfect for taverns and long evenings.

Number of players: 4
Type of game: Card
Period: 1600-1800 Reversis is a 16th-century trick-taking card game of Spanish origin that became fashionable throughout Europe, particularly in France and Italy. As its name suggests, Reversis is all about reversing the usual trick-taking goal: players aim to avoid winning tricks, especially certain undesirable cards. It’s a game of avoidance, misdirection, and cunning—often seen as an ancestor of games like Hearts.

History of Reversis

• Origin: Likely developed in Spain during the late 1500s.