Card games have a rich history in the UK, with the first record of card playing dating back all the way to the early 1400s. Whether it’s casual games or competitive tournaments, Brits always take card games seriously, with Whist, Solitaire, Rummy, and Brag being among the most popular.
Today, we will explore the popularity of card games across different areas of the UK. Game preferences are not monolithic in the country, as you will see!
The South of England
Bridge is one of the most popular card games in the UK; there are almost 600 affiliated clubs just for this game! With London being the most populated city, it’s no surprise that it’s home to dozens of these clubs. Bridge clubs encapsulate the country’s attitude to card games as there is a heavy focus on the social aspects, rather than just the game itself.
The English Bridge Union (EBU)—located in Aylesbury— and the Royal National Bridge Club both organise and promote the game. These institutions are affiliated with clubs in other regions, such as Yorkshire, highlighting how the passion for card games transcends areas and is more of a national endeavour!
It should go without saying that London has shaped modern casino culture. It has some of the most renowned and popular venues in the country (as you’d expect from the biggest city) and regularly hosts the biggest tournaments in Poker (Texas Hold’em).
Traditional games like the ones we’ve mentioned so far will always have their place in card game history, but there’s a lot to be said for the ‘newer’ additions. Trading card games, like Pokémon, YuGiOh, Magic The Gathering, and others, have a very significant following and can’t be forgotten about in this conversation too—events like The London Card Show are big deals for collectors and duellists. Typically, trading card games have a younger fanbase, but with Pokémon cards nearing their 26th anniversary of being released in the UK, some fans have been collecting for a good while now!

The North of England
Yorkshire and the surrounding regions have been a hotbed of card playing action over the years. With a strong royal heritage dating back to the Middle Ages, Yorkshire quickly became a home to games of ‘Maw’—an import from Scotland—which used a unique set of house rules and point systems.
Card games have long been a key part of local traditions in the north of England. Working-class communities have enjoyed games like Whist and Cribbage, which are still played in social clubs and community centres.
The region hasn’t been immune to the surge in online gaming, though. Many people in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, and elsewhere now log onto digital platforms to play their favourite card games. You can find the best gambling card games on AskGamblers. Here, there are a variety of Blackjack, Poker, Baccarat, video Poker, and other card games to play—all from the comfort of your own home.
Scotland
Scotland has its own unique heritage in card games. Scots Whist (commonly known as Catch the Ten) dates to the 18th century, when it was first played by well-to-doers in Edinburgh. It quickly became a favoured pastime for “coal skippers” and “fish women”. The game is played with a pack of 36 cards, rather than the standard 52. The aim is to score the most points and acquire the top five “trump” cards.
Another iconic card game in Scotland is Scotch Patience, a variation on classic Solitaire. Like Solitaire, it’s also widely played on desktop computers and mobile devices. This is evidence of how regional card game preferences have evolved, even in the digital age.
Online poker and other online card games are popular in Edinburgh and Glasgow, where card culture has always been strong. These new games have also found an audience in harder-to-reach, rural locations, which rarely have casinos. That’s not to say The Scottish Highlands and Islands are not big card game players; here, smaller, more intimate gatherings take precedence, strengthening community bonds and providing social benefits.
Wales
Welsh homes and social clubs are regular hosts of family-oriented games and competitive action. The Celtic country has a penchant for games like Rummy, Whist, and Snap. These classics are easy to learn and follow, making them ideal for players of all ages and, like in Scotland, the social aspect of card games is a major draw.
The capital, Cardiff, also has a burgeoning casino culture and is driving the popularity of online poker, especially among younger generations. Welsh players regularly partake in international tournaments and larger cities (Swansea, Newport, Wrexham, etc.) host smaller-scale events in a range of card game formats.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland also blends old-time tradition with modern card playing. Like other parts of the UK, Whist and Rummy are regularly played in Belfast and the surrounding areas. These games are a fixture in family homes and local social clubs, bringing people together. Whist is particularly popular due to its simple rule set (with scope for strategic play) and community aspect.
Several other games, like Snap and Happy Families, are also revered for their casual, laid-back nature. Northern Ireland is also a growing hub for online gaming. A recent survey found 15.8% of card game players have gambled online, which is more than double the figure from 2010.
Summing Up
As you can see, card game habits and preferences vary by region, but one constant remains: Brits love card playing, with the pastime deeply rooted in tradition but also integrated into modern gaming culture. With so many ways to play—both online and in physical clubs, pubs, and casinos—there has never been a better time to play card games in the UK!