If this is your first time opening a card game app, the list of games can look long. The way through is to start with a few simple questions: how many people will sit at the table, do you prefer playing with a partner or for yourself, and how big is the deck? This guide compares eight ERAM CARDS games using only their published rules: Tarneeb, Trix, Baloot, Basra, Tonj, Solitaire, Hand and Banakil.
Three questions before you choose
- Number of players: some games need exactly four players, some are for two, and one can be played alone.
- Teams or individuals: in partnership games your partner sits opposite you and you share a score. In individual games everyone plays for themselves.
- The deck: some games use one 52-card deck, one uses only 32 cards, and others use two decks, with or without Jokers.
Comparison table
| Game | Players | Teams | Deck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarneeb | 4 | Two partnerships (partners sit opposite) | 52 cards, no Jokers |
| Trix | 4 | Individual, everyone for themselves | 52 cards, no Jokers |
| Baloot | 4 | Two teams | 32 cards (7 to A) |
| Basra | 2 | Individual | 52 cards |
| Tonj | 2 | Individual | 104 cards (two decks), no Jokers |
| Solitaire | 1 (plus a competitive mode for two) | Individual | 52 cards, no Jokers |
| Hand | 2 to 4 | Individual, or two teams in the partnership variants (4 players only) | 106 cards (two decks + 2 Jokers) |
| Banakil | 4 | Two fixed teams | 106 cards (two decks + 2 Jokers) |
Choose by who you are playing with
Playing alone
Solitaire is the one game designed for a single player: your goal is to place every card on four foundations, each a single suit from Ace to King. It uses one 52-card deck and draws three cards at a time. It also has a competitive mode for two players on the same deal, but our rules note that it is built and tested and not currently open.
You and one friend
For two players you have Basra and Tonj, and also Hand, which accepts 2 to 4 players. In Basra you capture cards from the floor by rank or by sum and race to 121 points. Tonj uses two full decks, and the winner is the first to empty their reserve, hand and waste.
Three players
Your only option in this list is Hand, whose individual variants accept 2, 3 or 4 players.
Four players
Here the choice is widest. If you like partnerships, try Tarneeb, Baloot or Banakil, or the partnership variants of Hand. If you want everyone to play for themselves, choose Trix or the classic version of Hand.
Teams or individuals?
A partnership adds a social element: you agree on a plan and share the result. In Tarneeb, for example, partners sit opposite each other, and the team of the highest bidder promises to take a number of tricks. Individual games, on the other hand, give you full freedom, and the result is yours alone.
The deck and the way you play
The deck is not just a detail. Baloot uses only 32 cards and ends with eight in each player's hand, Tonj needs two decks (104 cards), while Hand and Banakil add two Jokers for a total of 106 cards. The games also differ in their basic action:
- Trick-taking: Tarneeb, Trix and Baloot. In each trick every player plays one card, and following the led suit is compulsory.
- Capturing from the floor: Basra, where you take cards by matching rank or by sum.
- Building on the table: Tonj and Solitaire, with descending alternating-colour piles and ascending foundations.
- Forming melds: Hand and Banakil, laying down runs and sets until you get rid of your hand.
How to judge how complex a game is
We do not rank games by difficulty because the rules do not, but you can judge by how many elements you must learn before the first match:
- Tarneeb: bidding from 7 to 13, naming the trump, following suit, then scoring. There is no No-Trump in this version.
- Trix: four Kingdoms of five contracts each, so 20 deals, each contract scored differently.
- Baloot: two buying rounds (Sun, Hokm and others), projects such as Sira, Fifty and Hundred, and a target of 152 points.
- Basra: capturing by rank or by sum, with special points for a Basra and for certain cards.
- Tonj: reserve, hand and waste, plus compulsory move priorities.
- Solitaire: a solo game with a clear goal: build the four foundations from Ace to King.
- Hand: an opening of at least 51 points before you can add to melds, and four variants that differ in players and opening.
- Banakil: two teams, 106 cards, a landscape match screen, a staging area for preparing cards, and 202 points to win.
A short recommendation
Start with what fits tonight: alone, Solitaire; two players, Basra or Hand; four with a partner, Tarneeb or Baloot; four without partnerships, Trix. Every game page has a "Read the full rules" button covering the objective, dealing, play, scoring and special cases. While reading you may want our card game terms glossary.
Quick questions
Can I play with my friends?
Yes. There is a friends list, invitations and private rooms with a code, and you can also play with random players in public rooms.
Where are the full rules?
ERAM CARDS is an online multiplayer card and board game app, starting on Android in Arabic and English. Full rules: games page.