Basically, you want to get rid of your cards as fast as possible, and that means creating melds and runs. This is done in turn, and when you have a complete meld or run, you place those three (or four) cards on the table. The interesting thing is, as the game goes on, other players can add to existing melds or runs that are face-up on the table. You don’t own those melds and runs! Once they’re on the table, they’re fair game!

The first person to get rid of all their cards is the winner. If you’re playing multiple rounds, you can score these rounds by adding up points based on the cards left over in the hands of the remaining players. The points break down like this: face cards are worth 10, 2-10 are worth their face value, and an Ace counts as one point. 

Wondering what the “Rummy” refers to? That’s when a player gets rid of all their cards in one turn. This moment is a combination of luck and skill, sort of like the crack shot of a drunken pirate.

Spades

You’ve probably heard of Spades, but this one is a little more obscure in the world of classic card games. That said, it’s fairly easy to learn, and very fun to play once you get the hang of it. Here’s how to get into it!

The Goal

Spades is a game where you’re trying to score points. You do this by winning “tricks,” which are, essentially, just another word for the amount of points you think you’ll win in a round of gameplay. Part of the twist of Spades is that you’re not just playing one hand. It’s all about the long game!