“E” is a bit of a wildcard in card-game directories. Some E-names are famous worldwide, others show up mainly in specific regions, and a few are better known as abbreviations. That makes “E” perfect for a glossary page—because the point isn’t to pretend everything is universal, but to give readers enough context to recognize what they’re looking at.
Here’s a curated set of card games that start with E, with quick notes to keep the names usable.
Fast table games and party favorites
Egyptian Rat Screw (ERS)
A slap-and-reaction game built around spotting patterns and racing to slap the pile first. Rule sets vary by house, but the energy is consistent: quiet flipping, sudden chaos.
Euchre
A compact trick-taking game usually played with a 24-card pack (9–A). It’s famous for trump decisions, partnerships, and fast hands—often described as “big strategy in a small deck.”
Exploding Kittens (card game)
A modern, light party game with a strong brand identity. Even if your site leans traditional, this one appears in search results constantly, so it’s a practical E-entry for directories.
Trick-taking and traditional “E” entries
Elfern (Elfer raus!)
A German classic often categorized as a shedding/building hybrid depending on the exact rules version. It appears in many European game lists under “E” and is worth including as a regional staple.
Eights (Crazy Eights)
Some directories list “Eights” as its own entry because players shorten the name. If you include it, connect it directly to Crazy Eights to avoid duplication confusion.
English Whist (Whist)
Whist itself doesn’t start with E, but some catalogs file “English Whist” or “English-style Whist” as a distinct reference label. Only include this if your directory uses regional qualifiers consistently.
Solitaire and patience “E” titles
Eight Off
A patience game related to FreeCell-style thinking: you manage spaces and build foundations under constraints. It’s often recommended for players who like open-information solitaires.
Eagle Wing
A solitaire/patience title that shows up in classic collections. As with many patience names, the rules can vary by source, so it’s best to add a one-line identifier when you publish it.
Emperor (solitaire variants)
“Emperor” appears as a patience label in some references (sometimes linked to “Emperor of Germany” style naming). Include it only if you’ll also provide a rules page, because names alone can be ambiguous.
Regional and niche entries worth noting
Escoba
A well-known fishing/capture game from Spanish traditions (often played with a Spanish-suited deck, but playable with a standard deck via mapping). It’s a strong “E” entry because it represents a major capture-game lineage.
Envelopes (party/deception variants)
“Envelope” titles appear in homemade party-game lists where cards act as prompts or roles. These are not standardized games, but they show up in community play—include only if your site covers modern social variants.
Why “E” lists get confusing (and how to keep yours clean)
Three common problems:
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Abbreviations: ERS is widely used, so list both “Egyptian Rat Screw” and “ERS.”
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Shortened names: “Eights” can duplicate Crazy Eights unless you connect them.
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Patience titles: solitaire naming varies by author, so add identifiers like “open cells” or “foundation building.”
A directory becomes trustworthy when each entry answers one quick question: “What type of game is this?”
Card terms (mini glossary)
A few terms that make the list easier to use:
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Trick-taking: Each player plays one card; the best card (often by suit/trump) wins the trick.
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Trump: A suit that outranks others during trick play.
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Capture/Fishing: Players take cards from the table by matching or combining values.
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Shedding: You win by emptying your hand first.
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Patience/Solitaire: Puzzle-style play, usually solo, based on building sequences/foundations.
An “E” directory page is most useful when it balances recognizability with clarity. These card games that start with E cover a good spread—slap games, trick-taking classics, modern party titles, and patience entries—while the quick card terms keep the names anchored for beginners. Keep adding entries, but keep labeling the game family, and “E” stays readable instead of chaotic