Requirements

– One standard deck of 52 cards

– Plenty of beverage

– At least two players

Object of the game

To avoid being the last player with any card remaining.

Play

The cards are dealt to each player in a way that results in each player holding the same number of cards, with at least 1 card left over. The remaining card(s) are positioned in the centre of the table, and one spare card is flipped up. Play is in tricks, and starts with the player to the left of last hand’s Ultimate Loser.

The lead may be either single card, a pair, three of a kind, four of a kind, or a straight-flush of at least three cards (e.g. 6, 7, 8 of hearts). Play continues in a clockwise route with each successive player having a choice from the following:

• Selecting to play the same kind of arrangement (e.g. a pair, or a 3-run straight flush)

• Selecting to pass

• Selecting to pass and swap one card in their hand with the card which was uncovered during to deal.

If the player chooses the last option, the card set down by the player is the new uncovered card, and may be traded by another player.

Players are not required to beat the preceding player in order to play; they must merely use the same combination of cards (Four of a kind, straight, etc).

Once each player has played, swapped or passed, the player who used the highest cards triumphs, collecting the trick (the group of cards), keeping them face down next to himself. This player then leads the next trick (except if the player doesn’t have any cards remaining, in which case the player with the second highest card leads). A player who passes on the trick, is not deemed to have played, and is considered to lose the trick.

Each loser of each trick must take one drink.

When just one player has cards remaining to play with, the Ultimate Loser has been decided – this player; they are required drink a full beverage, and must then deal the next hand.