Shopping

The 21 Best Card Games For Adults

`We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.

by Braelyn Wood
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Bustle / Amazon

Gone are the days of family-friendly rounds of UNO, where your only backlash against a skip card was playing a wild plus four and changing the color to yellow. Now the game aisle is filled with the best card games for adults to play over a glass — or three — of Pinot Grigio.

Cards Against Humanity sparked the revolution in cruder, slightly offensive, and NSFW games when it hit the market in 2011. Naturally, the adult version of Apples to Apples quickly became a best-seller as a game both college students and their parents would enjoy playing — although not necessarily together in one room. As a result, the offerings of obscene, and typically rude, card games on the market continued to expand.

Now, the marketplace is flooded with adult card games, and choosing between them is actually a difficult feat. With themes ranging from irreverent comics to memes, there are a plethora of (at times) inappropriate card games designed to meet every friend group's interest. Thankfully, Amazon reviewers leave tons of feedback on their purchases to give an indication of which games will keep you laughing all night and which games you'll never want to play again.

With that in mind, I compiled the best card games for adults currently on Amazon. Keep scrolling for some of the most popular card games for adults, below.

1

Editor’s Pick: What Do You Meme?

— Also available at Gamestop, $26.00, and Walmart, $56.00

  • 3+ players

Create your own LOL-worthy memes with the What Do You Meme? card game, which has over 28,000 reviews and comes recommended by a Commerce Editor. A different photo is selected for each round, and players match one of their caption cards to the photo. The winner is chosen by a rotating judge, so it helps to know each player’s unique sense of humor.

According to one reviewer: “I played this game with a group of friends for the first time this past weekend and we had a BLAST. The memes are great, the card captions are even better and we spent the entire time laughing. The game is inappropriate for younger audiences but is hilarious if you're old enough to play.”

2

Exploding Kittens NSFW

— Also available at Walmart, $20.00

  • 2 - 5 players

Perhaps the most bizarrely titled game on this list, Exploding Kittens is the most-backed game in Kickstarter history and has sold 8 million copies. In this twist on Russian roulette, you draw cards, and — if you draw an Exploding Kitten — you're out of the game. Of course, you can avoid this fate if you have a "defuse" card, or you can outrun danger altogether by using your cards to skip turns and go at other players.

According to one reviewer: "This is a fun, mindless card game for adults. Best described as Old Maid meets Uno for adults. If you're highly offended and don't find offensive/gross things funny, it's probably not for you. I've played both the regular and NSFW editions, and I don't see much of a difference. It's an especially fun bar game, which is where I first played. Kind of like darts or pool only for people that are to lazy to get up.”

3

We're Not Really Strangers Card Game

  • 2-6 players

Are you looking to build a better connection with the people around you? Then, you might want to pick up We’re Not Really Strangers, a game that — like many others — also has expansion packs to keep the gameplay fresh. This game includes two “modes” and will require participants to tap into their emotions. It might strengthen your relationship more than you expected. Many fans also say they’ve been able to play this game remotely.

According to one reviewer: “Bought this to play with my boyfriend. Not only did the questions help us open up with each other, but they sparked other important and vulnerable conversations and helped us communicate. We used it during a trip and played it in bits and pieces over several nights— and he was always asking if I wanted to do ‘a few questions.’ Highly recommend.”

4

Cards Against Humanity: Green Box Expansion

— Also available on Walmart, $20.00

  • 4 - 20+ players (main game)

Whether you already own Cards Against Humanity or not, you'll want to snag the Green Box expansion for your next game night get-together. It may be marketed as an expansion pack, but it can be played on its own, too. It introduces 300 totally new cards to the heinous game. To play, one judge selects a black card with fill-in-the-blanks that the rest of the players attempt to pair with a white description card.

According to one reviewer: "Oh my, I have never been as entertained or embarrassed as I have been playing this game. We laughed so hard for hours. I will never look at family gatherings (or my children) in the same manner again. Glad I bought the expansion packs with it, we would nearly go through the entire set in one gathering.”

5

Incohearent

— Also available at Walmart, $20.00

  • 2+ players

From the makers of What Do You Meme? comes this popular card game where players compete to guess what the gibberish means. A rotating judge selects one card with a phrase only they can see. The rest of the players see gibberish and have to guess what the phrase is. The first one to guess wins a point, and this game is full of fun adult phrases.

According to one reviewer: "Loved this game! Game was very flexible with a big crowd or even a small crowd. We were able to play boys vs girls with a large group and play with as little as 3 people! The cards are fun and challenging. We couldn’t stop laughing when a mom or dad were able to guess some of the ‘naughtier’ ones. Great game that you will break the ice at any party and get you laughing all night long. I’d suggest it to anyone.”

6

Fk. The Game

  • 3 - 8 players

You're bound to scream a bad word or two while trying to compete in this feisty card game, where the only goal is to ditch your cards. Designed to make your brain smarter — despite forcing you to scream profanities — it comes with a set of four complicated rules created to trick your brain. During gameplay, you play cards from your deck and try to recall the rules as quickly as possible. If you're slow, another player can slap the deck and give you those cards. Oh, and the only rule? You never say f**k.

According to one reviewer: "I love this game. The rules are super simple. It's not a hard game to learn. But man, when people get going and the game gets fast, it can get really hard. Add exhaustion or booze into the mix and it gets REALLY hard. I love that the game is small which makes it portable and easy to take to friends' houses for dinner and drinks but also makes it easy to store at your own home. I have bought three of them as gifts since buying it for ourselves.”

7

Drunk Stoned Or Stupid [A Party Game]

— Also available at Walmart, $31.00

  • 3+ players

This irreverent card game seriously tests the strength of your friendships (so it's best played with people you know.) It's based on the group's consensus on who is most likely to complete a certain action. With cards ranging from "risk life for an epic selfie" to "wake up with a half burrito in bed," this game leaves no scenario untouched. Once the group picks a player who best fits the prompt, that player keeps the card and the next round begins. But not so fast— the player with the most cards actually loses.

According to one reviewer: "This is ridiculously funny! Stumbled across it at a local bar, glanced through the cards with a friend while laughing our butts off, then had it on my doorstep a few days later, along with the expansion pack. It's too funny to pass up. Even better? You can play the expansion pack on its own, although you'll have a lot more fun with all of the cards in play.”

8

Disturbed Friends

— Also available at Walmart, $25.00, and Barnes & Noble, $25.00

  • 4 - 10 players

While most friendships can survive an upturned monopoly board, the Disturbed Friends card game may be the thing that tears your group apart. Created for up to 10 people, the game includes 250 disturbing question cards and 100 #winning cards. To play, the judge presents a multiple choice question and each player predicts their answer. The judge then reveals if they picked response A, B, or C, giving accurate guesses a #winning card. The first player to reach 10 cards wins— but at what cost?

According to one reviewer: "I purchased this game because I hold a lot of adult-oriented potlucks at my house and I'm glad I did. The instructions were very easy to follow and explain before beginning the game. The whole night was filled with face-aching laughter. If you are a fan of cards against humanity, you have the correct humor for this game! There is literally no filter on this game, so if you and your friends are close it makes it funnier.”

9

BAD PEOPLE

— Also available at Walmart, $30.00

  • 3 - 10 players

This not-safe-for-work card game is a hilarious way to reveal what others truly think about you. Bad People works like a massive game of "Most Likely," with one person acting as the dictator, and drawing a card. The rest of the players vote who in the group is most likely to do something, and if you vote the same as the dictator, you get a point. The most points win. This game is full of savage prompts, like "Whose funeral will have the smallest attendance?" and other questions that are sure to stir up some fun trouble in your group. Over 4,000 Amazon reviewers have given it five stars.

According to one reviewer: "I have heard a few friends of mine talk about the game and with our sense of humor, I thought this would be a great buy! Boy was I right! When you first open the box and see your identity cards, you automatically have a source of humor and entertainment for the night. Then when you see some of the question cards, you start to see how great this game is.”

10

5 Second Rule Uncensored

— Also available at Walmart, $13.00

  • 3+ players

This fast-paced card game involves answering as quickly as you can. You'll get prompted to name three of something (uses for your tongue, erogenous zones, etc.), and have to answer in just five seconds. Answer in the allotted time with correct guesses and you'll earn a point. This game can be played with an unlimited amount of players, and comes with a timer and 150 cards. At just $12, this best-selling game is a slam-dunk purchase that has won over thousands of Amazon fans.

According to one reviewer: "I've had a blast with this game on various occasions thus far. As the name suggests, it is recommended for ages 18+, because some of the questions are explicit in nature. With that said, they're still tasteful and have prompted numerous outbursts of laughter with the two separate groups I've played with.”

11

If You Had To…

— Also available at Walmart, $34.00

  • 3+ players

If You Had To… comes with 250 cards featuring horrible, humorous situations and players earn points by convincing the judge their card is the absolute worst. Example scenarios include “relive the same day over and over” and “be able to talk to animals but they all hate you.” The first player to earn five points is the winner, and there’s sure to be tons of laughter along the way.

According to one reviewer: “Gifted it at a holiday party’s white elephant game. We ended up playing it later that night. It took a minute to get the hang of playing it. But figured it out after playing a round. Excellent game for teenagers. Not for kids as the material is a bit 18+. But with a great sense of humor, it can be played for hours.”

12

Throw Throw Burrito

— Also available at Walmart, $25.00

  • 2 - 6 players

Collect cards while dodging cute, squishy burritos in this high-energy card game — and lose points every time you get hit. The fast-paced game comes from the makers of Exploding Kittens and takes only 15 minutes to play. And since this one is recommended for ages 7 and up, it’s a good choice if you want to get the whole family in on the fun.

According to one reviewer: “We tried this game for the first time at a work party, with eight adults spanning four decades in age. Needless to say, the ensuing play was hilariously funny and after playing six rounds of the game we were coming up with crazy ideas as to how we could turn it into an all-day office game or even take it outside and play across larger distances.”

13

Brain Freeze Card Game

— Also available at Walmart, $15.00

  • 3+ players

The fastest answer wins when you play Brain Freeze, so don’t freeze up when you’re asked risque questions. The revealing card game includes 120 prompts and is super easy to set up and play, with each game lasting about 25 minutes. When it’s over, you and your fellow players know a lot more about each other.

According to one reviewer: “My roommates and I played this a few nights ago for the first time and had a blast. We even played a second round. We love game nights, and this is perfect. It has a clear end, and you can get through a round quickly, especially if you play with a larger group. The game is easy to play, well built, comes in adorable packaging, and is guaranteed to give you a laugh!”

14

Unstable Unicorns NSFW Card Game

— Also available at Walmart, $20.00

  • 2 - 8 players

To win this NSFW strategic card game, be the first player to collect seven unicorns in your stable. That’s easier said than done because every other player is trying to do the same thing while destroying your unicorns, and there are magic cards in the mix that can place the odds in someone’s favor.

According to one reviewer: “My family and us can stay up all night playing this. This game brings everyone together or it can ruin relationships. If you're married and playing with your significant other, you're sleeping alone after this game. If you're playing with siblings, you're a lone child after this game and they're all adopted.”

15

Whatever

— Also available on Walmart, $25.00

  • 4 - 8+ players

Whatever is a card game filled with awkward situations, and you win by completing five challenge or showdown cards. This means at any moment, you could be challenged to walk the runway like a model, dance like a dad for 30 seconds, or let someone give you a tattoo with a permanent marker. If a challenge sounds too cringey, you can always take a penalty card — but fair warning — you’ll get shamed until your next turn.

According to one reviewer: “This game has a unique ability to show you and your friends who you really are in the most positive and hilarious ways. You learn what you, and those close to you, are willing to do to make everyone around laugh, to have a good time, and prove how little shame they truly have. Throughout the game, you will laugh constantly at the crazy showdowns, the blush-inducing challenges, and the hilarious penalties but that is not all that will happen. As you keep playing you'll realize that you know more about your friends than you ever thought you would, whether you wanted to or not.”

16

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

  • 2-8 players

If you’re looking for a game that both adults and kids can enjoy, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a wildly popular option with over 26,000 reviews and a near-perfect 4.8-star rating. Players take turns flipping a card while saying “taco,” “cat,” “goat,” “cheese” or “pizza.” If the word and card match, everyone has to slap their hand on the pile — the last person gets stuck with all the cards. One round of this fast-paced game takes 10 to 15 minutes.

According to one reviewer: “This game is more mind-bending and crazy than you think. Don’t let the cuteness fool you. This game is by far the most competitive and fun party game to play with friends!! The special cards mess with your mind!”

17

Quickwits Party Card Game

  • 3+ players

You’ll have to think fast and be the first to shout an answer to win the Quickwits card game. Players match card symbols and race to give examples of the category on their opponent’s card. For example, a type of red wine, a five-letter word, or a lead singer. Whoever answers first gets to keep the card and moves one step closer to victory.

According to one reviewer: “Funny and fun — It’s a great game for adults who don’t know each other and don’t mind some inappropriate cards in the game. I had a party with friends from different parts of my life so nobody really knew each other. I was glad after a few drinking games we were all able to have fun playing this one.”

18

Never Have I Ever Party Card Game

  • 4 - 12+ players

When you play Never Have I Ever, you can use poor life decisions to your advantage. The game contains 550 cards with prompts like “Never have I ever made a dangerous turn on the road because Waze told me to.” If you’ve done it, you can admit your embarrassing story, make your friends laugh, and be well on your way to winning the game.

According to one reviewer: “This game is flat out hilarious. You get to know some of your new friends very quickly with this game. It is along the same lines of cards against humanity, with a twist. Players dish out on the worst things they have ever done. The questions dig into the moral decisions each player has made throughout their lives. The person with the most I have ever cards wins...or loses as the cards are things you may or may not want to let people know you have done.”

19

I Wish I Didn’t Know - The Filthy Trivia Party Game

— Also available at Walmart, $16.00

  • 2+ players

This trivia game is filled with filthy questions that are guaranteed to make you cringe. Players take turns drawing a card and asking the group a multiple-choice question, and anyone who answers correctly gets a point. The catch? These are trivia questions you’ll wish you didn’t know the answer to, like “According to the FDA, the average person consumes about a pound of this in their food each year?” (The answer: insects.)

According to one reviewer: “I saw someone on TikTok playing this game so I ordered it. Played it on a long drive in the car. Was very fun and easy to play.”

20

Off Topic Adult Party Game

— Also available at Walmart, $30.00

  • 2 - 8 players

Similar to Scattergories, this creative card game asks players to quickly come up with answers based on a topic, and all answers must start with the same letter. The topics are often NSFW, so the group is sure to write down lots of laugh-inducing answers that’ll create quite the conversation.

According to one reviewer: “Such a fun game! Bought for my friends as a Christmas gift, now we want our own! Really easy to pick up after the first round or two. Best to play with friends, or with family members if you’re brave. Game boards/pens/pieces are all great quality.”

21

Joking Hazard

  • 3 - 10 players

If you're a fan of the bawdy comic Cyanide & Happiness, then Joking Hazard was created for you. It includes 360 panel cards, including 10 add-your-own-words-cards, that you can mix and match to create hilarious (and often crass) mini-comics. To play, simply flip the first card over, have the judge pick the second, and let the rest of the competitors pick a third card to create the best comic. Warning: This game is graphic, offensive, and not for the faint of heart.

According to one reviewer: “This is one of my group of friends' favorite games to play. The laughs keep rolling! Appropriate for all ages above uh... sexual maturity levels.”

This article was originally published on