Setting up the game
To begin the game, shuffle the deck of cards and deal three cards to each player. The remaining cards are placed in the center of the table and form the draw pile.
Gameplay
The player to the left of the dealer takes the first turn by drawing a card from the draw pile. The player then has the option to keep the card or exchange it with one of their own cards. The player then discards one card, face up, to the discard pile.
The game continues clockwise around the table, with each player drawing a card, exchanging a card, and discarding a card until someone calls “Knock” or all of the cards have been drawn from the deck.
When a player calls “Knock,” they are indicating that they believe they have the highest score of all the players at the table. They do not draw or exchange any more cards from this point on. Instead, each player at the table gets one more turn before the scoring begins.
Scoring
Once all the players have had their final turn, each player will calculate their score based on the cards they collected. The goal is to get as many sets of three cards that add up to thirty-one as possible.
Aces are worth one point, face cards are worth ten points, and all other cards are worth their face value. If a player collects three aces, it is worth 11 points instead of three.
A set of three cards that add up to thirty-one is called a “Thirty-One,” and it is the highest-scoring hand in the game. A Thirty-One is worth 30 points, which is the maximum amount of points that can be earned for any single hand.
If a player has a hand that does not add up to thirty-one, their score is determined by adding up the total value of their cards.
Once all of the scores have been tallied, the player with the highest score wins the game.
Tips for winning at Thirty-One
It’s important to pay close attention to the cards that have been discarded and what cards your opponents seem to be collecting. This can give you an idea of what cards are still available in the deck and increase your chances of collecting a winning hand.
In addition, don’t be afraid to change your strategy as the game progresses. If you notice that your opponents are collecting a lot of high-value cards, focus on collecting more low-value cards to avoid a losing hand.
Conclusion
Thirty-One is a simple and enjoyable card game that can be played with friends and family. By remembering the rules and strategies outlined in this article, you’ll be sure to have a fun and successful time playing Thirty-One. So grab a deck of cards and give it a try today!