Following the launch of Ettinger Games, we're excited to share some of our team's favourite games and how you can play them, whether it's during lunch breaks or after work.
1. BLACK JACK
How to play
The dealer will deal two cards to each player, face up, and two cards for themselves, face down.
After receiving the two cards, each player can decide to “hit” and receive additional cards from the dealer or “stand” and keep their current hand. With the aim of getting closer to a score of 21 than the dealer.
Once the players have had their turn, the dealer will reveal their face-down cards and hit or stand according to the rules.
Scoring
The aim is to get a hand that is closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand, without going over 21.
King, Queen, Jack = 10
Ace = 1 or 11 (to be decided at the start of the game)
To win
If neither the player nor the dealer busts, the person with the highest hand value wins.
Note: If a player’s hand exceeds 21 they “bust” and lose. If the dealer busts, the remaining players win.
2. CHASE THE ACE
How to play
Each player is dealt one card face down. The objective is to avoid having the lowest card at the end of each round. After receiving their card, each player can choose to keep it or trade it blindly with the player to their left.
If a player has a King, they cannot trade. After all trades are completed, players reveal their cards. The player with the lowest card loses the round and receives a penalty. The game continues until one player has received enough penalties to spell out “ACE” and they are eliminated.
Scoring
Aces - low
Kings - high
Penalties - the person to lose the round will receive a letter (e.g. 1st round A, 2nd round C and 3rd round E)
To win
A player wins by being the last one remaining after all other players are eliminated.
3. RUMMY
How to play
Each player is dealt a specific number of cards. Typically, 10 cards each for 2 players or 7 cards each for 3-4 players. The rest of the cards form a draw pile, with one card placed face up to start the discard pile.
On each turn, a player draws a card from the draw or discard pile, then lays down one card from their hand in exchange for the card they’ve picked up. The aim is to discard all your cards by forming ‘sets’ or ‘runs’ within your hand. You may also discard cards by adding to other people’s matched sets, already shown on the table.
The round ends when a player discards their last card after forming all possible sets and runs - declaring “Rummy”.
Scoring
Ace = 1 point
Number cards = face value
King, Queen, Jack = 10 points
Sets - three or four cards of the same rank
Runs - three or more consecutive cards of the same suit
Note: When a player goes out, the other players’ points are added to the winner’s score.
To win
The first player to reach a set number of points 100, 200 or 500.