Taash w/o Cash #1 - 7 UP/HOLD UP
A solitaire like game for 2+ players. Part 1 of an effort to catalogue card games
I took Amit Varma's excellent writing course in June, 2021. One of the things he talks about is the importance of and link between clear thought and clear writing.
I love card and board games and I am always watching YouTube explainers on them. I am always in awe of the brevity and clarity of the presenters who explain convoluted games like UNO or Snakes Ladders ( talk about a mental workout … right? ).
So, as an exercise for myself I will try and catalogue some of the card games that we play in my family. I am fairly certain these were only passed on in the oral tradition and even if 'official' version and rules of the games exist, the versions I am familiar with are surely transmogrified to suit our playing styles.
Here are the constraints I have set for myself:
~500 word limit
but most importantly … no bullet points ;)
7-Up or Hold Up is a fun, easy to play game for up to 6 players - a favourite in my family during vacation get-togethers.
A deck of normal playing cards is distributed amongst the players. The object of the game is to be the first to get rid of all your cards. The player with the 7 of Hearts starts by placing that card into the centre. Play moves to the next player (in clock-wise or anti-clockwise fashion … house rules), who can either put down a 6 of hearts below the 7 of hearts, or a 8 of hearts on top of the 7 of hearts, or a 7 from either of the three other suites next to the 7 of hearts.
Continuing in this fashion, the players build a 4x2 grid - where the top row is cards from 7 - 10 number cards and then the face cards Joker, Queen, King - in that order for all the four suites. The second row is 6 - 2 number cards and finally the Ace, in that order for all the four suites.
A 6 of a suite can only be laid down if the corresponding 7 is already played into the centre. Players can pass only if they do not have a card they can play. Players hold on to cards that will ‘block’ other players from making plays. For Ex. if you have the 7 of spades, but no spade card higher than 7; you should delay playing this card into the centre. Thus, you are holding-up play. But, if you have a ‘low’ spade card like ‘3’ or ‘2’ you want to play the 7 of spades as soon as possible - because only then can the 6 of spades be played into the second row.
The first player to get rid of all their cards wins. Alternatively you play till you find your one loser - continue play till only one player has cards in their hands. A longer variation, or if there are more than 5/6 players is where you play with two decks and create two 4x2 grids.
Please write in if you ever try this game out or if you know this game by another name.