Number of players: 4+
Age range: 5 and older
Supplies Needed: deck of cards (Skipbo or face cards)
This is a great game for those of all ages. All you need is a group of people and a deck of cards. I prefer Skipbo cards because the game goes faster. You need at least four players for the game to be any fun, and up to 10 or 12 people can easily play. This game is similar in nature to Spoons.
1. The players sit in a circle around a table or on the floor.
2. The group decides on a predetermined sign that will signal that the person has four cards all the same number or royalty if you are using face cards. Possible signals could be touching the tip of your nose or putting a finger on your head. The signal should not be too obvious like waving your hand or something that someone might unintentionally do, like placing a hand on their knee.
3. The dealer deals four cards to each player. Then sets the rest of the cards in a pile next to them.
4. The game begins by the dealer drawing a card from the deck. Then they discard a card from their hand by placing it face down in front of the person next to them. Then that person picks up the card and discards a card from their hand and places it face down in front of the person next to them. The last person makes a discard pile with the cards that they discard.
5. The object of the game is to get four cards of the same number or royalty. Once a person gets four cards that are the same they give the predetermined sign. They can make the sign obvious or sneakily do the sign and keep playing the game. As soon as another person notices that someone is giving the sign they do the sign as well. The last person to do the sign receives an “S”. Each time someone is the last to do the sign they receive a letter spelling the word “sign.” When someone is the last four times and spells the word “sign” then they are out. You can continue the game until there is only one player left or start over when the first person gets out.