Monday, December 17, 2007

...so...still here.

Jim and I invented a new head-to-head betting card game last night. We still don't have a name for it, and we are taking suggestions. Be prepared for this response, "That's ONE idea...". Jim hands that one out quite a bit. (by the way, we've trademarked this game, so don't even think about trying to sell it to the Nevada Gaming Commission).

Anyway! Here's how it goes...The object of the game is to turn cards one by one until the sum of all cards shown reaches 31. The person who turns the card that makes 31 gets the pot. If you flip a card that pushes the total past 31, your opponent gets the pot. To begin, each player antes, and the dealer places 1 card face up and 8 cards face down as shown:

The player opposite the dealer then pays (a predetermined amount) into the pot to buy a card of his choice, and flips it over, increasing the community sum. The players alternate by paying (their bet) and flipping until 31 is reached, a player busts, or neither player is willing to flip another card. If the current player does not wish to flip a card (for fear of busting and giving the pot to his opponent), the opposite player has the same opportunity to flip or pass. If neither player wishes to flip, the hand is a push and the pot stays remains for the next hand.

In any given hand, once the sum of the cards is equal to or greater than 25 (ie 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30), any flipped card that does not bust wins the pot. If the current player passes, the opposite player again has the opportunity to flip or pass.

Side notes: Aces are worth 11 until the sum reaches 25. At that point, any Ace flipped is worth 1 point.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lindsey and I just played a few hands on my lunch break. Here's our situation...

Dealer card: 8
Lindsey's card: Ace
Brad's card: Ace

That puts us at 30. If neither one of us are willing to buy another card, is it a push? If it is, I feel a little ripped off that I bought the 30, but I don't get the pot.

Have fun waiting... I hope you get good, progressive, news.

Peaby said...

Sweet! I knew you would appreciate this post. Yes, if neither is willing to bet on getting an ACE, it would be a push. Part of the fun is that the pot grows quickly. You shouldn't feel ripped off...the strategy becomes more about hoping to block the other player's win until you get the winning hand, rather than trying to win each hand. If you had flipped 1-5 linz would have been in a tight spot. The really interesting times are when you sit at 25 or 26 and you risk it all on a low card.

Jim and I played for about an hour last night, and it was suspenseful throughout. He said we seemed to have eliminated any major flaws. And I responded it was either that, or we were terrible card players.

Michelle & Luke said...

wow. i don't really know how to respond to this post. next time you're at a nike event & everyone has to go around the table to introduce themselves, their title, and a "fun fact" about themselves you can say:
"Hi. I am Mike Bunch. I am a Vendor Manager, and I make up card games without names but with highly complex rules that I post on my blog- for fun."

Glory Laine said...

You would be totally scared right now if you knew how many times I have checked your blog today to see if Becky's pushing or not. I am ofcourse assumeing that on your check list of what-to-do-when-Becky-says, "Honey, It's time." 1. Load Becky in car with towel under her. 2. Put suitcase in the car. 3. Grab some extras like a card game, gum, chapstick, and a po go stick. 3. Run back in the house and write a blog post.
I'll be waiting.

Peaby said...

no baby yet! We have an ultrasound this afternoon to figure out how big this kid is. He's not acting like he wants to fit...so hopefully we'll get some more info today...