Card Games For Dummies. Barry Rigal
lose track of who won the previous trick. If a player neglects to remember that they are supposed to lead, a potentially long and embarrassing pause ensues until someone plucks up enough courage to ask that player whether they’re thinking about what to do next or if they’re spacing out.
More frequently, however, somebody leads out of turn, under the false impression that the action is on them. If this happens, the general rule is that the next player can accept that lead by following to the trick, if they want to do so. Alternatively, they may be so hypnotized by the sight of the card that they may genuinely think it’s their turn to play, so they follow suit innocently.
Either way, the general rule is that the next player’s following legitimizes the original mistake. However, some games state that up until the faulty trick is completed, if anyone spots the error, you still have time to pick the whole trick up and correct the error.
Exposing yourself to public ridicule
The rules about exposed cards (accidentally dropping a card on the table as opposed to playing it) tend to vary, depending on whether you’re playing a partnership game or playing on your own:
In an individual game, the rules tend to be fairly lax; you can normally pick up your exposed cards, and the game continues. (Of course, your opponent benefits from seeing part of your hand, which is considered punishment enough for the error.)
In a partnership game, the consequences of exposing a card are much more severe because you simultaneously give unauthorized information to both your partner and your opponents. Often, the rules of a game require you to play the exposed cards at the first opportunity, or your partner may be forbidden from playing the suit you let slip. These are the Draconian rules in place with games such as Bridge, for example.
MISS MANNER’S GUIDE TO CARD-GAME ETIQUETTE
Some elements of card-game etiquette relate to basic good manners and polite behavior, and some deal with areas that come perilously close to cheating. On the etiquette front, for example, you shouldn’t pick up your cards until the deal is finished — if for no other reason than you may cause the dealer to expose a card if your fingers get in the way.
After you pick up your hand, avoid indicating in any way whether you’re pleased or unhappy with its contents. This is particularly important in a partnership game where you can’t divulge such potentially useful information.
The idea that you should play card games in silence may give the impression that you can’t enjoy yourself — that you should focus on winning to the exclusion of having fun. That isn’t the case, but you should avoid conversation if it gives away information that you’re not entitled to pass on or if the sole purpose of your remarks is to upset or irritate your partner or opponents. (The rules in Poker are a little different. Conversation during a poker game is one way for players to influence their opponents.)
The tempo of the way you play your cards can also be very revealing. You can make it clear by the way you play your card that you have doubt or no doubt at all as to what to do. You can’t eliminate doubt altogether, but you can try to make your mind up before playing a card so that you avoid conveying information by your tempo to your partner and opponents. Again, though, in Poker, anything goes!
Selecting the Best Card Game
All the card games in this book are excellent, of course — I provide only the cream of the crop. However, depending on the number of players and your collective experience and expectations, some games are more suitable than others. Depending on your needs, the following lists recommend certain games for various situations.
As a general point, though, the best card game to play is probably the one that some of your players already know. You pick up strategies of the game, as well as its customs and traditions, much faster by playing with experienced players rather than in a group consisting entirely of beginners.
If you have a specific number of players:
Solitaire games: Accordion and Poker Patience if you’re short on space; La Belle Lucie if you can spread yourself out. (See Chapter 2 for Solitaire games.)
Two-player games: Gin Rummy (Chapter 4), Spite and Malice (Chapter 2), and Cribbage (Chapter 16).
Three-player games: Pinochle (Chapter 14) and Ninety-Nine (Chapter 9).
Four-player games: Bridge (Chapter 12), Euchre (Chapter 10), Hearts (Chapter 13), and Spades (Chapter 11).
Five- to eight-player games: Hearts (Chapter 13) and Oh Hell! (Chapter 9).
Eight or greater player games: Eights (Chapter 6) and President (Chapter 17).
If you’re picking the game based on time constraints:
You can play Setback (Chapter 15), Whist (Chapter 8), and Euchre (Chapter 10) to specified target scores, which you can adapt to reflect the time you have available.
You can play Ninety-Nine (Chapter 9) for a specified number of hands.
If you have a few years at your disposal, I recommend an ongoing battle of Spite and Malice (Chapter 2).
If you’re selecting your game based on the type of play:
Serious, competitive types tend to enjoy Whist (Chapter 8) and Bridge (Chapter 12).
If you’re playing in a cramped space (on a plane, train, or bus), Hearts (Chapter 13) and Eights (Chapter 6) work well.
In a bar, Cribbage (Chapter 16) goes well with alcohol.
For large groups in a social setting, Poker (Part 6) and Blackjack (Chapter 18) are ideal.
For games that combine bidding and play, Pinochle (Chapter 14) and Spades (Chapter 11) are good choices.