Bringing a deck of cards with you during the winter might provide hours of pleasure for everyone. Teach your younger cousins to play, or propose a game for mom and dad to play.
You and we both know that late-night card games provide some of the fondest memories of quality time spent with family. Add one of Molly Wellmann’s beverages to the mix, as well as a toasty fireplace and some baked treats, and you’ve got yourself an entire evening.
When friends and family visit, you would like to play these three card games.
SLAPJACK
Players: 4-10
Ages: Teens, Adults
Why do we play games at home?
The simple premise and race-to-slap interaction make it enjoyable for both children and adults, and the frequent contact ensures that children will not become bored while waiting for their turn.
The goal is to collect all of the cards.
Rules: Make a circle around a table or on the floor for everyone to sit in. Deal in a clockwise direction until you’re out of cards. Without glancing at their cards, everyone holds them facedown.
->Each player draws a card from the top of their deck (face-out, so the player cannot see the card before it is played) and sets it in the center of the circle as they go around the circle. In this manner, each player proceeds to arrange their cards in the center.
->The goal is to be the first person to “slap” or cover a Jack court card with their hand when it is turned face up. If more than one person slaps at the same time, the person whose hand is closest to the Jack adds all the cards to his or her pile.
-> If a player slaps a card improperly, he or she must hand over the top card in his or her pile to the player who slapped the card. The extra card is placed at the bottom of the player’s deck.
->If a player runs out of cards, he or she is out unless they can slap a Jack laid by another player. At that point, the player who was previously “out” returns and can use the cards from the pile to play with.
The game goes on until one individual has won all of the cards. Stop playing after the first person runs out of cards for a shorter version. The player with the most cards in his or her hand wins.
EIGHT CRAZY THINGS
Players : 2-8
Children, teenagers, and adults are all welcome.
This is another game that involves the entire family and keeps everyone alert. The goal is to be the first player to get rid of all of his or her cards.
Rules:
->Starting with the player to the dealer’s left, deal 5 cards face down, one at a time. Place the remaining cards face down in the center of the table, then raise the first card and place it next to the facedown pile.
The eight is buried in the middle of the pack if it is turned, and the next card is turned. A “starter” pile is formed by the face-up cards.
-> Each player, starting on the dealer’s left, places one card face up on the initial pile.
->Each card played (save an eight) must be in the same suit or denomination as the card at the top of the beginning pile. If the king of Clubs is the starting card, the next card must be another king or a card from the clubs suit.
PLAY OR PAY
Players: 3-8
Ages: Kids, Teens, Adults
Why we play at home: Because this game incorporates some low-stakes betting, playing with poker chip or, if you don’t have any, jelly beans or M&M’ candies—is a lot of fun.
Rules:
The goal is to finish all of the suits and be the first player to get rid of all of their cards.
->Before each deal, each player begins by placing one chip (or jelly bean) into the pot. Deal the cards one by one, face down, clockwise, starting with the player on the left. It is normal for each player to add one additional chip if some players receive fewer cards than others.
->The first person to lay a card is the player to the left of the dealer. All of the cards are dealt face up on the table in four rows, one for each of the four suits.
-> It is not necessary for the player to begin with the first card in a suit (the Ace). He or she may begin with any card, and the other players must then add in that sequence to complete that suit before moving on to the next suit.
->The clockwise rotation of the turn to play continues. If a player cannot play in turn, he or she adds one chip to the pot. To begin the following series, whomever plays the thirteenth card of a suit may choose any card from his hand.
The pot is won by the first participant to get rid of all of his or her cards. At the very least, make sure you’re using our seasonally appropriate Leaf Back Decks, which come in green and red.