Objective
Capture the most valuable cards over the deal to score the most of the 11 available points.
Card values
2-10 = face value; Jack = 11; Queen = 12; King = 13; Ace = 1 or 14 (chosen when used).
Setup
- 1Two-player version: the non-dealer cuts four cards from the middle of the deck face up to form the layout, then the dealer deals 12 cards to each player (another 12 each after these are played).
- 2During your first 12 cards you may not discard without capturing while you own a build, and you may not end a turn owning more than one build; these restrictions lift for the second 12.
How to play
- On your turn you must play exactly one card from your hand, used for one of: capturing, changing a build's value, or discarding to the layout.
- Capture ('chow'): play a card matching a single layout card, a set of layout cards summing to it, or a build of that value — you may take several matches at once.
- Single build: combine layout cards (optionally plus a hand card) into a pile of a single total value you can later capture; you become its owner.
- Change a build: add one hand card to an OPPONENT's single build to a new value you can capture, taking ownership.
- Augment a build: add same-value cards/sets to your own build, using layout cards, one hand card, and/or the top card of an opponent's capture pile.
- Discard: leave a non-capturing card in the layout.
- Only the top card of an opponent's capture pile is ever available, and only to augment a build — never captured directly.
Special rules
- There can never be two builds of the same value on the table at once.
- You cannot break up or merge builds into a higher value, and augmented builds can't have their value changed.
- Whoever makes the last capture sweeps up any remaining layout cards at the end.
Scoring
Scored in points · play to 21
Points each deal
- Most cards captured: 2 points (1 each if tied).
- Most spades: 2 points (1 each if tied).
- Two of spades ('spy two'): 1 point.
- Ten of diamonds ('big ten'): 2 points.
- Each ace: 1 point.
- (11 points total available per deal; no bonus for sweeps.)
Good to know
- Play multiple deals to an agreed target such as 21.
Winning
The player (or team) who first reaches the agreed cumulative points target wins.