About

Irish Card Games is a small, independent site dedicated to the trick-taking card-game traditions of Ireland — most notably Twenty-Five, the national game.

Twenty-Five (or simply 25) is one of those games that's easy to pick up and impossible to fully master. It's been played in Irish kitchens, pubs, and parish halls for generations — and despite its quirks (a Five that beats every other card, an Ace of Hearts that's always trump, a rule called "reneging" that lets you ignore the rules), it remains as alive and contested as it ever was.

The articles here aim to be the resource I wish I'd had when I first sat down at a table of 25 players: clear, accurate, and respectful of the regional variations that make the game what it is. The intent is to keep the tradition portable — so a player in Dublin, Boston, or Sydney can read a single page and join the next hand.

Get in touch

Found something we got wrong? A regional rule we missed? I'd love to hear from you. Reach out at hello@irishcardgames.com.