8 starting pointsWith rule references
2-player to groupCompare your table size
Cards firstDomino games kept separate

Choose your next step

Bring the right game to the table.

A curated starting list, not a claim to catalogue every regional name or commercial card game.

8 entries

02Shedding

Mao

A shedding game known for rules players learn while playing.

Players
Varies by group
Deck
One or more standard packs
See setup & rules
07Trick-taking

Mighty

A Korean trick-taking game with bidding and special cards.

Players
Usually 5; variants differ
Deck
Varies by version
See setup & rules

Before you begin

Which M game should you try?

For two players, start by reading Mate. With three, compare basic Manni. For a group interested in rearranging combinations, look at Machiavelli. If your group already has a Mao tradition, use its house rules.

Player counts and equipment belong to a specific version. Read the linked rules before choosing a game for an exact number of people.

Sources: Pagat: M game index

Some M names are aliases, and some are not card games

The index includes aliases alongside distinct games. Counting every alternative name as another game would make the list less useful.

Mah Jong and Mexican Train appear in broad game indexes, but they use tiles or dominoes. They are not included as standard playing-card games in this directory.

Sources: Pagat: M game index

From the original publishers

Source updates

All updates ↗
Pagat

Manni

Basic Manni and named local variants.

Pagat

Mate

Rules and equipment for the two-player game.

Last successful source check: 2026-10-17T14:39:50.683Z. Automated checks do not substitute for a gameplay or compatibility test.

Questions, answered

Common questions

Is this every card game beginning with M?

No. It is a curated list of eight starting points with readable rule references. Regional names, commercial packs and solitaire titles extend the list.

Does Memory count?

Yes, Memory is a card-matching name, often associated with Pelmanism. It is another option beyond the eight featured here.

Can we play without money?

Choose a rule set and agree on scorekeeping before play. This website does not offer wagering or connect to gambling services.