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Cardvenir

Shed

Players = 2+Length = Medium · 6–30 minutes

Cards Used

Shed (also known as Palace) is usually played with a standard 52-card deck. For larger groups of four or more players, two decks can be combined. Each player is dealt a hand of cards and also has three face-up cards and three face-down cards that they will use later in the game.

Aim of the Game

The aim of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of their cards. The last player left with cards is known as the “Shed”, making this an elimination-style game rather than a points-based game.

Point Scoring

Shed does not use a points system during normal play. Instead, players compete to be the first to discard all of their cards. The final player who is unable to get rid of all their cards loses the round and is declared the “Shed.”

How to Deal

Shuffle the deck and deal three face-down cards to each player. Then deal three face-up cards on top of the face-down cards. Finally, deal three cards into each player's hand. Before the game begins, players may swap cards between their hand and their face-up cards to create the strongest possible face-up set. The remaining cards are placed face down in the centre to form a draw pile.

Gameplay

  1. 1

    The first player begins by playing a card (or multiple cards of the same rank, depending on the agreed rules) onto the discard pile. Each following player must play a card of the same value or higher than the card currently on top of the pile. If they cannot, they must pick up the entire discard pile and add it to their hand.

  2. 2

    Special cards are commonly used:

    1. (a)

      A 2 can be played at any time and resets the pile so the next player may play any card.

    2. (b)

      A 10 clears the discard pile completely.

    3. (c)

      A 7 requires the next player to play a card of equal or greater value to the card below.

    4. (d)

      A 9 requires the next player to play a card of lower value than a 9.

  3. 3

    Players continue drawing from the draw pile after each turn until it is empty, keeping three cards in their hand whenever possible.

  4. 4

    Once the draw pile is gone and a player has no cards left in hand, they play their three face-up cards. After these are used, they must play their three face-down cards one at a time without looking. If a face-down card cannot legally be played, the player must pick up the entire discard pile.

  5. 5

    Play continues until only one player remains with cards, who is declared the loser.

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