I grew up in St. Albans, Queens on Galway ave in the 50-60s. I played war. Much like web diva says but it was more dramatic when you had two equal cards. First you and the other player said I and put a card face down then you said de (pronounced dee) and put a card face down. Then you said clare and put a card face down. Then the big finish you both yell war and throw down the fourth card face up and see who wins.

Boy I remember playing Knucks. I believe it is short for knuckles. I am not certain but I believe you ended up with points for not winning and the points depended on which cards you had in your hand. The type of knucks you got depended on the point total. If it was low you got slapped on the knuckles with the flat of the deck. If it was higher you got smacked on the knuckles with the edge of the deck. Then there was the worst. Putting your hand on the ground and the deck on the fingernails and someone stepping on the deck. Nothing like a good sadistic game to bring back fond memoires. Someone must remember how to play.