MORE WAYS TO PLAY WITH POKER CARDS
A deck of cards can be much more than just one game.
Our Yule Lads Playing Cards follow the familiar structure of a traditional poker deck, which means you can use them to play many classic card games, while discovering a little piece of Icelandic Christmas tradition along the way.
The deck contains 56 cards:
- 4 suits with 13 cards:
- Cards from Ace to 10
- Jack, Queen and King
- 4 Jokers
Below you will find some easy and classic games you can play with your deck.
WAR
Players: 2
Difficulty: Very Easy
Perfect when you want something extremely simple.
HOW TO PLAY
Shuffle the deck and divide all the cards equally between the two players.
– Both players reveal the top card of their pile at the same time. The highest card wins and takes both cards.
– If both cards have the same value, it is WAR! Each player places additional cards on the table until one player reveals a higher card.
The winner collects the entire deck.
GO FISH
Players: 2–6
Difficulty: Easy
A classic family game.
HOW TO PLAY
– Each player receives a small hand of cards.
– Players take turns asking another player for a specific card value: “Do you have any sevens?”
– If they have one, they must give it to you.
– If they do not, they say: “Go fish!” (You then draw a card from the deck).
– The objective is to collect sets of matching card values.
The player with the most completed sets wins.
OLD MAID
Players: 2–8
Difficulty: Easy
HOW TO PLAY
– Remove cards so that only one Joker remains in the deck. Deal all cards between the players.
– Everyone removes any matching pairs (same number, same color) from their hand.
For example, 8 of hearts and 8 of diamonds (red) are matching pair. And 8 of spades with 8 of clubs (black).
– Players then take turns drawing one random card from the player next to them.
– Whenever you create a pair, place it down.
At the end, one player will be left holding the Joker. That player is the Old Maid.
CRAZY EIGHTS
Players: 2–7
Difficulty: Easy
HOW TO PLAY
– Deal five cards to each player and place one card face-up in the centre.
– Players take turns playing a card that matches either: the suit, or the number/value
– Eights are wild cards and can be played at almost any time. When you play an eight, choose the suit that the next player must follow.
The first player to get rid of all their cards wins.
MEMORY
Players: 1+
Difficulty: Very Easy
HOW TO PLAY
– Choose pairs of cards with matching values and color.
– Shuffle them and place them face-down on the table.
– Players turn over two cards at a time.
– If the values match, the player keeps the pair.
– If they do not match, turn them face-down again.
The player who collects the most pairs wins.
SNAP
Players: 2+
Difficulty: Very Easy
HOW TO PLAY
– Divide the cards between the players.
– Without looking at their cards, players take turns placing one card face-up in the centre.
– Whenever two consecutive cards have the same value, the first person to shout: “SNAP!” wins the pile.
The player who eventually collects all the cards wins.
SOLITAIRE
Players: 1
Difficulty: Medium
No opponents needed.
HOW TO PLAY
– Cards are arranged into seven columns, and the objective is to organise all four suits from Ace to King.
Icelandic Yule Lads Poker Cards + 3 Free postcards & Sticker
A 56-card poker deck inspired by Iceland’s 13 Yule Lads and their family. Original illustrations, folklore and Christmas traditions on every card, plus four special Jokers featuring Grýla, Leppalúði, the Yule Cat and the traditional window shoe.
To celebrate the launch of our new Yule Lads card deck, every deck currently comes with 3 illustrated postcards + 1 sticker as a little gift from us.
Launch gift available for a limited time.