Icelandic Card Games
Discover classic Icelandic card games you can play free online against the computer. Here is what each one is, with the rules in English and a link to play.
The four games
- Gúrka — a trick game where you must avoid winning the last trick.
- Kleppari — a fast, real-time Speed/Spit game.
- Tía — a bidding trick game; predict your tricks exactly.
- Skítakall — a shedding game; don't be the last one holding cards.
A fun way to pick up Icelandic
Card games are a relaxed way to get familiar with Icelandic names and terms while you play. Each game runs against three computer players (or, for Kleppari, head-to-head) and is free, with no download.
Which Icelandic card game should I try first?
Kleppari is the easiest to pick up. It is a speed game with one rule: play a card that is one higher or lower than the top of the pile, with the ace joining both the king and the two. There are no bids, no scoring and no turn order, so you can learn it in a minute.
Gúrka is the one that feels most Icelandic, because the goal is inverted. Winning the last trick of a round earns penalty points, and the first player to reach 21 becomes the gúrka and loses. The six of clubs is the highest card in the deck. Tía is a bidding game where you score only by predicting your tricks exactly, and Skítakall is a shedding game where twos reset the pile and tens blow it up. All four are played against three computer opponents and all four are free.
Frequently asked questions
- What are popular Icelandic card games?
- Well-known ones include Gúrka (a trick game), Skítakall (a shedding game similar to President), Tía (a bidding trick game) and Kleppari (a Speed/Spit-style game).
- Can I play Icelandic card games online for free?
- Yes. Kokomo lets you play Gúrka, Kleppari, Tía and Skítakall free against the computer, with no download.
- Are the rules available in English?
- Yes — see the individual guides for Gúrka, Kleppari, Tía and Skítakall.