Crack the rule A deck of cards
Mao
Nobody explains the rules. Break one and you get a penalty card. Work them out before your hand gets huge.
the best bit: a penalty card for “talking”, with no further explanation
- Players
- 4–8 (best with 4–6)
- Time
- 20–60 min
- Learn in
- A few minutes
- Mood
- Lively
- Format
- Everyone for themselves
The 30-second version
A card game where learning the rules is the game. The dealer knows the rules and nobody else does. Everyone plays cards like Crazy Eights, and whenever someone breaks a rule, they get a penalty card and are told only what they did, never why. Empty your hand to win, then add a secret rule of your own.
don't explain it all up front. play one practice round.
Grab these
Set up
- Only the dealer should read these rules. If you're not the dealer, stop reading here.
- Deal seven cards each. Turn one card face up to start the pile.
- The dealer says only this: "The only rule I can tell you is the name of the game: Mao." Then play begins. No more explaining.
How to play
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Play like Crazy Eights
Going left, each player plays one card matching the top card's suit or number. If you can't, draw one card.
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Enforce the secret rules
The dealer enforces the starting rules in the list below. Nobody else is told what they are.
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Hand out penalty cards
Break a rule and the dealer hands you a card from the deck and names the offense: "Penalty: talking." Never more than that.
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Win and add a rule
Play your last card and say "Mao" to win the hand. Then make up one new secret rule, tell nobody, and deal the next hand. You enforce your rule from then on.
How to win
Play as many hands as you like. Whoever wins the most hands wins.
Starting rules (dealer only)
- Play a spade and you have to say its name out loud, like "Ace of spades."
- Play a 7 and you have to say "Have a nice day."
- Play an 8 and the direction of play reverses.
- Play an ace and the next player is skipped.
- With one card left, you have to say "Last card."
- No talking, except what a rule requires.
- Take longer than about ten seconds and get a penalty for delay of game.
- Ask a question about the rules and get a penalty card.
From experience…
- Dealer: be consistent. The same mistake should always get the same penalty.
- Everyone else: watch every penalty. Each one is a clue.