We were playing pinochle (am I spelling that right?) before we could see over the table. My dad figured out since there were 6 kids the sooner he taught us the sooner everyone (8 of us) could play. This was what he called military pinochle - double deck, played with 80 cards and you threw out all the 9's. Only played with face cards and tens. By far and away the most played game in our house when I was a kid. Even as I got older the family never got together without an all night pinochle game breaking out. Seemed like you just couldn't play only one game. He also taught us bridge, hearts and spades besides the regular stuff like gin rummy, poker and crazy 8. Nothing came close though to pinochle in our house. Only trouble for me these days is getting enough around who know how to play. Usually only play at family gatherings now, even the wife doesn't play.......
If I had to list top 3 now they would be poker, pinochle and hearts.
If I had to list top 3 now they would be poker, pinochle and hearts.