Here is the latest news in the world of card games and playing cards, for the month of April, 2013:

UNO: The TV Show?

"Not only is there going to be an UNO TV show...there's going to be TWO shows based of the popular card game. One of them will be a half-hour show with a $100,000 prize. The other will be an hour long show with a cool 1 million dollar prize." [link]

Play UNO games...

Set: Game of Quick Visual Recognition

"It's a hit with some and playing multiple rounds or multiple times brings a lot of enjoyment. But for others, they may play once in a while, but will leave it at that. So if you're looking for a style of card game that's a good departure from other cards games you have on hand and tests your visual recognition skills, give Set a try." [link]

Utah bridge club spans six decades of card playing

"A group of Salt Lake County women have routinely gathered together to play bridge, some for almost 60 years. The long-standing habit perhaps has contributed to their mental keenness, well-being and longevity. 'We play for big money,' Holladay resident Leah Hilton grinned of the quarters and nickels the winners haul home at the end of the day." [link]

Card games teach strategy, patience, civility

"Playing cards helps teach children to be civil to each other, patient and win or lose graciously besides teaching math and strategies. Keep a few decks of playing cards in your car and home so they are always handy. Card playing goes across generations and any game can be simplified for preschool children." [link]

"Snake Oil" Card Came Will Cure What Ails Ya!

News on a new card game from Out of the Box Publishing: "In Snake Oil, one player chooses a customer card and acts as the customer for the round. The remaining players combine two of the cards from their hands to create an item to sell to that customer. The outlandish sales pitches easily spark laughter from everyone playing." [link]

Omen: A Reign of War Review

"In Omen, the players are in the midst of a mythological war that seems to be set in ancient Greece. They are struggling to accomplish feats and overtake a few war-torn cities by using Soldiers, Oracles, and Beasts (such as Satyrs, a Phoenix, and Minotaurs). Overall, I give Omen: A Reign of War a 7.0/10." [link]

Drop Site Review

"Drop Site, the winner of the Premio Archimede 2010 Carta Mundi special prize for best card game, is a game about coordinating humanitarian aid shipments. As parachutes of aid drift (quickly) to the ground, players must do their best to predict where aid shipments will land. Players score points for every card (aid shipment) they are able to accurately predict by the end of the round. Drop Site is fast-playing, intuitively strategic, professionally manufactured, and easy to teach and learn." [link]

Timeline Card Game Review

"Timeline: Diversity is a card game played using 110 cards. Each card depicts a historical event on both sides, with the year in which that event occurred on only one side. Players take turns placing a card from their hand in a row on the table. After placing the card, the player reveals the date on it. If the card was placed correctly with the date in chronological order with all other cards on the table, the card stays in place; otherwise the card is removed from play and the player takes another card from the deck." [link]

Hearthstone - the collectible card game that could convert you

"Ultimately, Blizzard says it wants to create a collectible card game that 'doesn't require a friend to get into.' I can't speak for CCG veterans, who may find Hearthstone plays it safe, but based on my few rounds I found its easy-to-understand rule set, quick pace and free-to-play model certainly make it a welcoming low-level commitment for people who may otherwise enjoy card games but don't want to spend the time or money to get into them." [link]

Card Game Violence

It's always disturbing to read about violence that occurs during card games: Woman Bites Off Part of Boyfriend's Ear Over Card Game, Man killed while playing 'tong-its', Charge in Jacksonville card game killing, and so on. Of course, the card game is not usually the underlying cause of the violence, but still, it always seems strange that an innocent game, played for fun, can end up going so wrong...

Notable Quote

"It's not enough to win the tricks that belong to you. Try also for some that belong to the opponents."
 ~ Alfred Sheinwold

Deal Alerts

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• Take 20% Off your order at HoyleGaming.com with code: HOYL20. Expires 6/30/2013

Card Game News is a periodical roundup of news and notes from the world of card games and playing cards, including card games in the news, card game releases, card game reviews, and opinion from fans of all types of card games and playing cards!

To keep up on the latest card game news, follow The House of Cards on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to our free RSS feed.

Here is the latest news in the world of card games and playing cards, for the month of March, 2013:

Card-game squabble leads to broken jaw

"An Indianapolis man required surgery to place a steel plate in his jaw following an alleged assault that started with a dispute over rules during a card game." [link]

Suggestion: Check our card game rules next time, before whomping on each other!

Trading-card games boom as social events

"Almost every night of the week at comic-book stores and card shops across Central Florida, dedicated players do battle by invoking the powers of wizards, dragons, zombies, aliens and sometimes the cuddly yellow Pichu character from the Pokémon series. Though trading-card games such as Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering have been around for years, the players are increasingly getting out of their bedrooms and packing gaming shops." [link]

The Basque card game with the funny name

"To an outsider, they may just look like a group of men playing cards. However, the game of Mus is a Basque tradition that has been brought to Elko as part of their heritage. In preparation for the annual North American Basque Organization Mus tournament, several club members have been in practice all year long. Twice weekly, these men meet at Biltoki and The Star Hotel, where they play for hours." [link]

11 Card Games You Should Play on International TableTop Day

Suggestions for International TableTop Day (March 30, 2013): "Leave that old deck of 52 standard playing cards right where it is in that junk drawer of yours. It's time to try out some newer cards with this list of 11 card games you need to know about -- some of which you absolutely must try for yourself." [link]

Card Game Demands Communication

"Elizabeth Gray decided to find a way for people to talk again. She developed a new card game called Snooper, which encourages players to communicate and 'bridge the gap between what we know and don't know about each other on a personal and fun level'. 'I realised people don't seem to have proper, in-person conversations anymore, which I think is really sad,' she said." [link]

Online Games Tournaments are Rising in Popularity

"Online game tournaments are similar to other massive, multi-player online games where many different players play against each other simultaneously, while sitting at different locations around the world. Many times, rewards or cash prizes are given to the winners and are a great attraction and motivation for the best players to participate." [link]

Recent Card Game Releases

Dr. Lakra's Mutant Laboratory

"Awesomely Grotesque Playing Cards For Kids: The set comes with 84 triangles, each of which features one-fourth of a face line-drawn in Lakra's signature style. The 21 black-and-white characters are sweaty and slobbering, beset with skin conditions, missing teeth, band-aids and nose-rings, snouts and beaks -- Mad Magazine meets the Garbage Pail Kids for the growing youth of today." [link]

Dons of Desperado

"Dons of Desperado is a story and artwork-driven mobile Card Battle RPG that allows users to collect cards and use them to compete with other players in countless missions, battles, and special events. In the game's story, the gamer plays a character who has recently suffered from amnesia, fighting to discover his origins and the world around him." For iOS, soon for Android. [link]

Dragon Summoner

"Dragon Summoner is a trading card game with animated battle scenes and over 200 cards to collect. Dragon Summoner is in many ways your typical trading card video game, though its battle scenes are designed to make the game feel more dynamic than a plain static card game." For Android. [link]

Cards Against Humanity

"The ultimate politically incorrect game that's been sweeping across college campuses. The game is either $25 or free -- if you're willing to print out the cards on cardstock and cut them yourself. It's an adult game where you can be as immature as you want to be." [link]

Control-Alt-Hack

"Control-Alt-Hack is a tremendously fun, hacker-themed strategy card game that uses the mechanic of the classic Steve Jackson Ninja Burger game. It comes out of the University of Washington Computer Security and Privacy Research Lab, and features extremely entertaining and funny computer-security-themed scenarios, buffs, attacks and characters." [link]

Recent Card Game Reviews

• FitzIt
• I'm the Boss
• The Card Game of Oz

Notable Quote

"A man's idea in a game of cards is war, cruel, devastating, and pitiless. A lady's idea of it is a combination of larceny, embezzlement, and burglary."
 ~ Finley Peter Dunne

Deal Alerts

• Free Shipping at FunAgain Games -- Free ground shipping with $75 order (continental US)
• Take 20% Off your order at HoyleGaming.com with code: HWINTER20. Expires 3/31/2013

Card Game News is a periodical roundup of news and notes from the world of card games and playing cards, including card games in the news, card game releases, card game reviews, and opinion from fans of all types of card games and playing cards!

To keep up on the latest card game news, follow The House of Cards on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to our free RSS feed.

Here is the latest news in the world of card games and playing cards, for the week of February 26th, 2013:

Archangels - Bicycle Playing Cards

The story behind the artwork for a new deck of playing cards: "The Theory11 team gave me free rein to devise a concept for the deck design. I anchored my approach around the idea of a battle between angels and demons over the power of night and day." [link]

Nevada Legalizes Online Gambling

"The measure makes Nevada the first state in the country to approve interstate online gaming. 'This bill is critical to our state's economy and ensures that we will continue to be the gold standard for gaming regulation.' AB114 authorizes Nevada to enter into compacts with other states to offer Internet poker. Partnering with other states gives Nevada an expanded customer market and provides other states with Nevada's expertise in gambling regulation." [link]

Euchre Is More Than A Card Game In Michigan

"If you grew up in Michigan, where euchre is played in deer camps and college dorms and lots of other places, you probably get that. Euchre, with its fast action, still attracts crowds to tournaments and card parties throughout Michigan and other parts of the upper Midwest and Ontario." [link]

Hearts - A Classic Card Game

A brief history and description of the game of Hearts: "Around 1850, Reverse gave way to a simple form of Hearts, which went on to become one of the most popular card games in the United States, surpassed only by Euchre and Poker. Hearts was a favorite game on Mississippi riverboats after the Civil War." [link]

Designers, Classic Playing-Card Maker Win Big on Kickstarter

"A new batch of designers are turning to a more venerable channel as an artistic outlet - the traditional deck of playing cards. And their use of 21st-century tools like Kickstarter are bringing a certain 19th-century company a new era of success." [link]

New Poker App Removes the Needs for Physical Cards

"Those who enjoy playing card games but often find themselves stuck with out a deck will be pleased to hear about a new app called Bold Poker which transforms mobile devices into playing cards. The app is designed to be enjoyed playing with other people in person, it serves as companion technology to Texas Hold'em and removes the need to a physical deck of cards." [link]

NBA Players Love the Card Game Bourré

"What started as a Louisiana trick card game has become the game for deep-pocketed athletes enduring cross-country travel and long nights in hotel rooms. Now, with a push from an ambitious 28-year-old from Malibu, Bobby Heyward, the game is poised to go mainstream with a new professional league, a la World Series of Poker." [link]

Recent Card Game Releases

• HeroDex -- "Virtual Trading Card Game Beta Released" [Windows, Linux]
• Perfection of Wisdom -- "Card Dueling Game" [Windows]
• Shelter -- "A zombie card duelling game" [Windows Phone]

Recent Card Game Reviews

• IOTA -- "IOTA is a card game in which players score points by adding cards to a grid."
• Skull & Roses -- "A deadly little game with a question to ask you: Can you bluff?"
• Wits & Wagers -- "Turns the genre of trivia on its head."

Notable Quote

"One should always play fairly when one has the winning cards."
 ~ Oscar Wilde

Deal Alerts

• Free Shipping at FunAgain Games -- Free ground shipping with $75 order (continental US)
• Take 20% Off your order at HoyleGaming.com with code: HWINTER20. Expires 3/31/2013

Card Game News is a periodical roundup of news and notes from the world of card games and playing cards, including card games in the news, card game releases, card game reviews, and opinion from fans of all types of card games and playing cards!

To keep up on the latest card game news, follow The House of Cards on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to our free RSS feed.

Proper cleaning begins with the use of cold water only! You may be able to clean your plastic playing cards without the use of any soap, you should try this first. Begin by gently rubbing both sides of a few plastic cards with a non-abrasive soft clean cloth. When you are sure the plastic playing cards have been sufficiently cleaned, give them a quick rinse in a clean bucket of cold water, then you may proceed to drying them with a soft, clean, dry cloth (do not use paper towels for this step). The final step is to spread out the plastic playing cards on a bath towel in a well-ventilated shaded area until completely air dry. Remember to turn the plastic cards over to allow the other side to dry. Most of the time this method of 'water only' cleaning will be sufficient to return your cards to top condition.

If you find your plastic playing cards require more cleaning, you can repeat the above procedure using a small amount of mild (non acidic/non alkaline) soap like Dove. After cleaning with soap, be sure to completely rinse the soap residue off with clean water.

No set of cleaning instructions would be complete without mentioning a few things to avoid. Do not do anything silly like putting your plastic playing cards in the dishwasher or clothes washer. Your plastic playing cards will thank you to avoid washing them in warm, hot, or boiling water! Never use chemical cleaners, or solvents, to clean your playing cards (that would be a big mistake!). Of course you must resist the urge to speed up the drying process by using hair dryers, microwave ovens (or heat sources of any kind), and you should never allow your plastic playing cards to sit in direct sunlight. Lastly, do not stack the cards until completely dry on both sides.

The best piece of advice may be to keep your cards clean in the first place, so don't be afraid to ask players to show up at the game with clean hands!

This article reprinted with permission of www.PlayingCardsAndMore.com

100% Plastic Playing Cards are rugged, washable, and perfect for heavy use or for children. Given their durability, they're nearly as inexpensive as regular playing cards, though they will last far longer.

Purchase 100% Plastic Playing Cards

The deck box reads "American Expedition Playing Cards" and features a drawing of bison with the following quote: "We can see with our eyes, hear with our ears and feel with our touch, but we can only understand with our hearts." The same design is repeated on the card backs.

The back of the box has the following text:

The American Bison, commonly referred to as the "Buffalo," is the largest wild mammal in North America. Their bodies measure 7 to 12 ft. long and they can weigh up to 2,000 lbs. Bison live in herds ranging from several animals to over 1,000 during migration. In the early 1800's, there was an estimated 40 million bison living on the plains and grasslands of the western U.S. By 1895, decimation of these herds reduced that number to 1,000. Through protection efforts, their numbers have rebounded.

The deck includes the standard 52 cards, plus two jokers and an information card that reads:

Early American explorers forged their way into America's vast wilderness with boundless anticipation. Their passion for adventure and discovery was matched only by their thirst for knowledge and information. They unlocked the magnificent splendor of this great land for future generations to experience. Although the era of the early American explorer has long passed, the spirit of their adventures continues to endure. Modern Day Explorers are still inspired by a passion for adventure and a thirst for discovery. But, most importantly, they hold dear the tradition of sharing their experiences with others. So remember, no matter where your journey takes you, the experience does not have to end.

The deck was created by Ideaman, Inc.. There is a logo on the box end that reads "Authentic Souvenir-Gift for the Modern Day Explorer".

You can purchase this deck at eBay.

Learn to play the Bridge card game with this useful collection of Bridge tutorials, FAQs, and educational information. Of course, these links only scratch the surface, and there are many Bridge Books that can teach you the depth and subtlety of this grand game.

Other good resources for learning to play bridge are Bridge Software and Electronic Bridge Games, which often includes educational material, and allow you to practice and improve your bridge skills.

Bridge Educational Links

• Bridge Doctor
  An easy-to-use Bridge learning system for beginners and improvers with Bridge games against the computer or live on the Internet. [ Requires subscription ]
• Bridge Today University
  Offers a complete selection of bridge courses covering all aspects of the game, for beginners, intermediates, or advanced players.
• Desktop Bridge Coach
  Desktop Bridge Coach is a standalone electronic device to provides expert bridge tips at the touch of a button, right on your desk (or anywhere you choose to place it). Learn Bridge at your own speed, with one push of a button!
• FifthChair.org
  The Fifth Chair Foundation is dedicated to fostering bridge education on the internet and attracting new players to a game that has challenged, intrigued and entertained people since the early 16th century.
• For Bridge Players: Bridge Basics
  Richard Pavlicek's 'For Bridge Players' web site offers this online Bridge textbook for beginners. Fundamentals of the game are explained in 12 progressive lessons, each followed by a quiz.
• HowStuffWorks: How to Play Bridge
  Contract Bridge took off as an international rage in the 1930s and is considered today by many to be the ultimate card game. Learn to play with these rules, tips, and guidelines.
• Learn To Play Bridge
  Even if you are a bridge novice or complete beginner, this step-by-step guide will make you into a competent player in just a matter of weeks. You'll have the skills you need to play with a bridge club, or go play at one of the many online bridge sites.

These bridge-related products help you to become a better bridge player, and make it fun and easy to learn this sophisticated game.

See also: Bridge Playing Cards, Bridge Score Pads, Bridge Gift Sets, and Bridge Tallies.

Bridge Products

• Excalibur Handheld LCD Bridge Game
  Play contract bridge with this handheld electronic game that features Standard American five-card bidding, it plays either rubber or duplicate bridge and uses contract scoring. It offers three difficulty levels, and players can review the last hand played, replay hands to practice bidding and strategy, or request hints from the computer for a bid suggestion or a card to play. Players can also watch the computer play all remaining cards in a game for instructional purposes. The easy-to-read, adjustable-contrast LCD provides a look at other hands on the "table" while buttons enable selection of both the suit and card values to be bid or played. Requires three AAA batteries.
  
• Bridge At A Glance
  This handy Bridge "cheat sheet" is a great aid to keep at your side while you're learning the game. This 32-page booklet works in conjunction with the "Bridge Basics" books by Audrey Grant, and contains suggested responses to many standard bids, in an easy-to-follow format. See also: Bridge Basics 1: An Introduction, Bridge Basics 2: Competitive Bidding, and Bridge Basics 3: Popular Conventions.
  

Auto-Bridge Games on eBay

Subtitled "A New and Complete Treatise on the Game, in All Its Varieties; Including the Whole of Anthony Pasquin's Scientific Work on Five-Card Cribbage", the book was compiled by George Walker and published in London in 1837.

   

Here is Mr. Walker's preface to the book:

As a game of cards for two persons only, Cribbage is universally popular, and both Piquet and Ecarte must give place to its pretensions. There exists, indeed, no similar species of amusement, in which the rival powers of chance and skill are so happily blended; -- and, while the influence of fortune is perpetually recognized as a source of pleasing excitement, there remains sufficient room for the exercise of the intellectual faculties, to insure their final attainment of success. In Cribbage, as in other games, the ignorant go on, playing at random, and trusting solely to what they term "their luck;" -- while those who are better informed, do not disdain to acquire the art of guiding that "luck" towards their own side of the board. During the run of a few consecutive games, skill may be compelled to yield to the power of adverse cards; but in a longer series of play, its influence will most certainly predominate.

There has never hitherto appeared but one really scientific Treatise on Cribbage; that one being the work of the well know Anthony Pasquin. At the time of first publication, his book attained considerable celebrity, and was acknowledged as the most complete system of practical theory extant on the subject. It has long been out of print, and copies have be-come extremely scarce. Perhaps the strongest proofs of the public demand for the reproduction of some such volume, are now afforded in the numerous innocent questions addressed weekly to the Editor of Bell's Life In London; requesting information and instruction on the most simple rudiments of the game.

In the compilation of the following pages, the whole of Pasquin's work has been embodied, with such additions as the writer thought necessary to the formation of "The Cribbage-Player's Text-Book." The calculations have been revised, -- the rudiments of the game explained for the improvement of beginners -- and his own share of original matter being proportionably small, the Author is the more confidently entitled to pronounce his opinion as to the merits of the new edition, here presented, of "Anthony Pasquin's Treatise On Five-Card Cribbage."

This seminal work on the game of Cribbage contains rules, strategy tips, variations, and even techniques for detecting and thwarting cheaters.

The book contains 11 chapters:

1. Of what the game of Cribbage consists
2. For what you mark at Cribbage
3. The Laws of Cribbage; with cases of illustration
4. On counting at Cribbage
5. On laying out for the Crib; including the best methods of discarding, both for your own and your adversary's Crib, in nearly eight hundred cases of hands at Five Card Cribbage
6. General directions for playing the game of Five-Card Cribbage scientifically; including remarks on Betting, with statements of the different odds at various points of the score; Curious problem at Five-Card Cribbage
7. On Six-Card Cribbage.
8. On Three-Handed Cribbage
9. On Four-Handed Cribbage; Curious problem at Four-Handed Cribbage
10. On various disputed points at Cribbage
11. On Cheating or False Play

The entire content of the book is available from Archive.org, in a number of formats, including PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Daisy, and Full Text (unfortunately, the OCR is really poor). The book may also be read interactively: read online.

The EPUB and Kindle versions of the book may be downloaded for free to your favorite ebook reader (such as the Amazon Kindle

Thanks to Archive.org and Google Books for bringing us this important historical Cribbage text!

Fluffy Bunny Tea Party is a card game about ruthlessly polite bunnies stuffing their best friends with delicious desserts. Plays with 2-8 players, in about 30 minutes.

In the course of the game, you will play cards to push tasty treats in front of the other bunnies, sip tea, hop and frolic around, and, above all, be sure to mess with your friends while remaining on your best behavior at all times. Impolite bunnies had better watch out!

Most of all, it's a great opportunity to sit down with a handful of friends, talk in ridiculous bunny voices, and be as mean as you can to each other while acting as nicely as possible. The game is quick and fun, and doesn't require anything but the willingness to have a good time. Sounds like a deal, right?

According to an interview with the game's creator, Marc Majcher ('Fluffy' card game makes being nice deceptive):

The game, which consists of a deck of 106 customized Fluffy Bunny Tea Party cards and intended for two to six players, revolves around players giving each other cards that represent desserts while using "ridiculous bunny voices." Kindness between players is required at all times and rude people are penalized. On the surface, at least, "constant politeness" seems like an easy rule to follow -- everyone loves dessert, right? However, considering the fact that the player with the least desserts at the end of the game wins, players sometimes find it difficult to be nice when a dessert is given to them.

"It's a game where you play as fluffy bunnies at a tea party and you are very polite to each other and you try to wind up with the least amount of points," Majcher said, who programs Facebook games for a living. "And screw everyone else over."

The idea for the game came about after Majcher's aunt complained to him that modern gaming is all "violence and killing things and taking stuff." Recognizing a challenge, he decided to create a game that addressed his aunt's concerns. He started planning, doodling ideas in a notebook during meetings and eventually decided on the core idea for the game -- trying to have the lowest number of points while being polite in the process.

The game, with delightful artwork by Halyn Erickson, has been fully funded as a Kickstarter project.

The following video introduces the game:

The game includes 68 action cards, 30 dessert cards, and 8 bunny cards with corresponding teacups. 500 decks of customized game cards will be printed, and the game can be yours for a $20 pledge on Kickstarter.

Fluffy Bunny Tea Party also has a Facebook so that you can keep up with news about the game.

Recently, the High Court in the nation of India ruled that Rummy is not gambling:

The 13-card games like Rummy is a game of skill, and not gambling or game of chance, the Madras High Court has held, adding that police should not disturb club members and guests playing the game.

Justice S Rajeswaran, relying on a Supreme Court order of 1968 vintage, said: "The game of Rummy is mainly and predominantly a game of skill."

Justice Rajeswaran, in his order, referred to an apex court ruling delivered in 1968 stating: "The game of rummy is not a game entirely of chance like the 'three-card' game. The 'three-card' game, which goes under different names such as 'flush', 'brag', etc is a game of pure chance. Rummy, on the other hand, requires certain amount of skill because the fall of the card has to be memorized and the building up of Rummy requires considerable skill in holding and discarding cards."

United States courts have long held that rummy games are not gambling (see Is Rummy A Game Of Luck Or A Game Of Skill?): "In 1964 a Las Vegas-based Gin Rummy tournament was promoted by mailing flyers to players. The post office objected on the grounds that it was illegal to promote a 'game of chance' (a lottery) through postal services. This case ended up in court. After listening to the testimony of experts that included statisticians and several prominent players, the US District Court of Las Vegas on February 23, 1965, ruled that Gin Rummy is indeed a game of skill."

It's good to see yet another nation make this common-sense distinction between skill games and gambling games!

Amen! If you think any of the rummy variants are games of chance, you haven't played enough of them to understand the skill and strategy involved. "Predominantly a game of skill" indeed!

In our opinion, the best place to play Rummy online is probably RummyRoyal, which allows players from all over the world to compete in exciting multiplayer games of Gin Rummy, Canasta, Oklahoma, Kaluki, Tile Rummy, and many more rummy variations.