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The M collection

Card games that start with M

Mao, Mau Mau, Mille Bornes, Munchkin and Magic: The Gathering all begin with M. This small collection does not cover every M game.

Mao and Mau Mau use ordinary playing cards. Mille Bornes, Munchkin and Magic require their own commercial cards. The summaries below help you choose the right kind of game.

Search covers these five games only. Player results match the listed versions. Mao is left out when you select a number because its player count varies by group.

Five games beginning with M

5 of 5 games shown

Hidden-rule shedding

Mao

A shedding game built around discovering hidden rules. Join an established group: there is no single official ruleset to learn.

Players
Varies by group
Deck
Ordinary playing cards; deck count varies by group.
Goal
Empty your hand while following rules that newcomers must discover.

In the Eights family, play normally involves matching suit or rank. Mao adds secret requirements and penalties.

Mao has no single rulebook. Player numbers, the deal and penalties vary by group; ask your host which rules they use.

Read the Mao introduction

Ordinary playing cards. Ask your group about player numbers and house rules.

Sources & rule versions

These sources describe Mao's hidden-rule tradition. Pagat provides an overview; USC records a player's account. Your group's version may differ.

Matching / shedding

Mau Mau

Match suit or rank to shed your hand. You can prepare the traditional short deck from ordinary playing cards.

Players
2–5 in the selected 32-card version
Deck
32 ordinary cards: 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K and A in each suit. Remove 2–6 from a 52-card pack.
Goal
Be first to play every card in your hand.

On your turn, match the discard's suit or rank; a jack may be played at any time and chooses the next suit. If unable to play, draw one and end your turn.

A 32-card, five-card-deal version. House rules differ; agree special cards and the final-card rule first.

Read quick rules

Ordinary playing cards. Uses a 32-card deck; agree the special-card rules before play.

Sources & rule versions

The turn and special-card rules follow the German Club sheet. Kartenspiel.org gives the 2–5-player range for this 32-card version; other versions may differ.

Commercial / racing

Mille Bornes

Build distance, stop rivals with hazards and get moving with remedies. Requires the commercial game's own cards.

Players
2, 3, 4 or 6 (classic rules)
Deck
A dedicated Mille Bornes set: 106 playing cards, plus edition-specific reference cards.
Goal
In classic partnership play, reach 5,000 points across hands, racing to exactly 1,000 miles each hand.

Draw one card, then play or discard one. Normally start moving with Roll before laying mileage; hazards interrupt progress and remedies clear them.

Quick overview of classic four-player partnership play, using the Winning Moves rulebook and Hasbro's classic instructions. Keep your edition's full rulebook beside you for scoring and special-card timing.

Read quick rules

Dedicated commercial cards required. Classic rules; use the rulebook supplied with your edition.

Sources & rule versions

These publisher rulebooks cover the classic edition. Follow your set's rulebook for scoring and special-card timing.

Commercial / dungeon adventure

Munchkin

A competitive dungeon card game about monsters, treasure and interference from friends. The dedicated Munchkin set is required.

Players
3–6 (original game)
Deck
Original Munchkin set: 168 cards, one six-sided die and a rulesheet. Provide your own way to track levels, such as counters or paper.
Goal
Reach Level 10; normally the winning level must come from defeating a monster.

Reveal a Door card, resolve encounters and collect Treasure when earned. Cards can change normal rules.

Original Munchkin, not the collectible card game. Follow the publisher's guide for the full rules.

Publisher's game & rule links

Dedicated commercial cards required. See the publisher's guide for the full rules.

Sources & rule versions

The publisher's product page links to the full rules and FAQ. The Cardboard Republic review gives a separate account of the game.

Commercial / trading card game

Magic: The Gathering

Build a deck of spells and creatures. Choose a format first: player count, deck construction and starting life depend on it.

Players
2 (Standard); 4 (selected Commander setup)
Deck
Dedicated Magic cards: at least 60 per Standard deck; 100 including the commander in Commander.
Goal
Defeat your opponent or opponents under the selected format's rules.

Use lands for mana to cast spells, summon creatures and attack. Card text and the official rules govern interactions.

Format overview only. Filters cover Standard for two and a four-player Commander setup, not every legal Magic configuration.

Publisher's beginner guide

Dedicated commercial cards required. Choose Standard for two players or the four-player Commander setup.

Sources & rule versions

Official rules from Wizards of the Coast. The Standard and Commander links describe different formats from the same publisher.

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M is our first collection. Other letters are not covered yet.

Are Mao and Mau Mau the same game?

No. Both belong to the matching family, but Mao is known for hidden rules, while Mau Mau normally has an agreed set of rules. We keep separate entries and explain variants in their guides.

Can I play every game with a standard deck?

No. Only Mao and Mau Mau in this collection use ordinary cards; Mau Mau's selected version uses a reduced 32-card pack. The three commercial games require their own cards.

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