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Nertz

Every player has their own deck and plays a game of solitaire, all at the same time, with no turns. The piles in the middle are shared, so anyone can play on anyone's ace. The first player to empty their 13-card Nertz pile yells "Nertz!" and the round stops. You score for every card you got into the middle.

first round is practice. stop and ask anytime.

Set up · 1 of 4

Everyone shuffles their own deck and counts out 13 cards face down. Turn the top one face up. This is your Nertz pile.

Set up · 2 of 4

Deal four cards face up in a row next to it. These are your work piles.

Set up · 3 of 4

Hold the rest of your deck face down. This is your hand.

Set up · 4 of 4

Leave room in the middle of the table for the shared piles.

How to play · 1 of 6

Start together

Someone says "Go." Everyone plays at once, as fast as they can.

How to play · 2 of 6

Build the middle

Any ace can go in the middle to start a pile. Anyone can add the next card of the same suit to any middle pile: the 2 on the ace, the 3 on the 2, and so on.

How to play · 3 of 6

Build your work piles

On your own work piles, stack cards downward in alternating colors, like solitaire. Use cards from your Nertz pile, your hand or your other work piles, and fill an empty work pile with any card. Each time you play the top card of your Nertz pile, turn the next one face up.

How to play · 4 of 6

Flip through your hand

Turn your hand over three cards at a time onto a face-up pile. You can play its top card. When you run out, flip the pile over and go again.

How to play · 5 of 6

Call "Nertz!"

When your Nertz pile is empty, shout "Nertz!" Everyone stops.

How to play · 6 of 6

Score

Sort the middle piles back into decks. Score 1 point for each of your cards in the middle, and lose 2 for each card left in your Nertz pile.

How to win

The first player to 100 points wins.