Cards are the devil’s playthings. Well, that’s what my grandma used to say . . .
So, what’s a good use of spare time when you’re bored? Some might say it is playing video games or reading. But with a group of people the best past time would be playing cards (devil or no devil).
The following is a list of fun card games to drive off boredom.
“[Cards] are fun . . . and make you think,” commented senior Lindsay Malloy.
The game of Mao: Mao can be played with as many decks as you would like and can be played with three or more people. However, I can’t explain the rules because the game often is played with one or more people knowing the rules and the rest of the group not knowing the rules. Wait until most of the group takes a win. That’s part of the fun.
Nines: Nines can be played with two or more people depending on the number of decks you use. Players are dealt nine cards and set three face down blindly. Players then take their highest cards or a ten and set them on the three face-down cards. The object of the game is to clear your hand before the other players do. Here’s the catch: if you can’t top the card on the discard pile you have to take the entire pile. Luckily a ten will clear it.
BS (“Boy Scouts”?): How good of a liar are you? This game will test your poker face. Dealing the entire deck to the players, the object is to discard all the cards in your hand first. You play the cards in order from two to ace, but if you don’t have the next card to play you must bluff and hope no one calls you out.
“I like card games because they’re fun and you can pick them up and play them anywhere with anybody,” senior Josh Mateer said.
Golf: I’m not talking about the sport but the card game. Players are dealt six cards and leave them face down. A draw pile is set in the middle of the play area with a card flipped over. Players are allowed to look at two of their cards and the goal is to get the lowest score. Scores are tallied by number on the card with kings equaling zero. Making a match of two cards also equals zeros.
Go Fish: I’m pretty sure this classic is the easiest game. If you need a refresher though, it’s a simple game. Players are dealt five to seven cards with a goal to discard all the cards in your hand by matching pairs.
Old Maid: Another really easy game to play, players are dealt cards until the entire deck is gone. One card (usually a joker) is designated as the old maid card. The goal of the game is to make matches and not be the person with the designated old maid card.
Slapjack: This game can be played with two or more people. Unlike most card games, the goal is to have all the cards in your hand at the end of the game. All the cards are dealt to the players and then play continues clockwise. When a jack is played the players slap the pile and whomever is in direct contact to the jack takes the pile. If you lose all the cards in your hand you may remain in the game to try and win the pile. The game ends when one player has all the cards in their hand.
“[Playing cards] is fun and gives you something to do during study hall and lunch besides eat,” said freshman Nick Raegler.