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Kemps

You play in pairs, and each pair agrees on a secret signal. Everyone swaps cards with the four in the middle, trying to collect four of a kind. When you get one, give your partner the signal. If they spot it and shout "Kemps!", your team scores. If the other team spots it first, they shout "Cut!" and steal the point.

Set up · 1 of 3

Split into pairs. Sit across from your partner.

Set up · 2 of 3

Each pair goes somewhere private and agrees on a secret signal, like tugging an ear.

Set up · 3 of 3

Deal four cards to each player and four more face up in the middle.

How to play · 1 of 5

Swap

The dealer says "Go." Everyone at once swaps cards from their hand for cards in the middle, one at a time. Always hold exactly four.

How to play · 2 of 5

Refresh the middle

When nobody wants anything in the middle, the dealer clears those four and deals four new ones.

How to play · 3 of 5

Signal

Got four of a kind? Give your partner the signal without the other team noticing.

How to play · 4 of 5

Call "Kemps!"

See your partner's signal? Shout "Kemps!" If they really do have four of a kind, your team gets a point. If not, you lose one.

How to play · 5 of 5

Call "Cut!"

Think someone on the other team has four of a kind and is signaling? Point at them and shout "Cut!" If they have it, your team gets the point. If not, their team does.

How to win

After each call, reshuffle and deal again. The first team to 5 points, one for each letter of K-E-M-P-S, wins.