OBJECTIVE OF BLACK MARIAH: regular font
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 4 players
NUMBER OF CARDS: 52 cards
RANK OF CARDS: (low) 2 – Ace (high)
TYPE OF GAME: Trick taking
AUDIENCE: Adults
INTRODUCTION OF PETRONE’S BLACK MARIAH
Petrone’s Black Mariah is a trick taker for four players created by Ren Petrone and inspired by the Black Maria variation of Hearts. In this game, Hearts act as a trump suit and do not cost the player points. Also, the main objective of this game is to capture as many clean tricks as possible. The Ace, King and Queen of Spades is to be avoided.
THE CARDS & THE DEAL
Petrone’s Black Mariah uses a 52 card deck. Shuffle and deal a hand of 13 to each player one card at a time. After analyzing their hand, each player chooses three cards and passes them to the player on their right. That player may not look at them until they have passed their own three cards. Passing to the right occurs each round.
THE PLAY
The player left of dealer leads the trick. They may play any card from their hand. Following players should follow suit. If they cannot, they are able to play any card they wish. The highest card played in the lead suit or the highest Heart takes the trick. The player that captures the trick leads.
Play continues until all of the tricks have been played.
SCORING
Players earn points for capturing “clean tricks.” Clean tricks do not contain the Queen, King, or Ace of Spades. Each clean trick earns the player 3 points.
Dirty tricks contain the Queen, King, or Ace of Spades. In the event that these cards are captured, the player who captured them will lose points. The player loses 7 points for the Ace of Spades, 10 points for the King of Spades, and 13 points for the Queen of Spades.
WINNING
The first player to reach 50 points or more wins the game. If more than one player crosses 50 points at the same time, the higher score wins. Continue play to break ties.
If a player reaches -50 points the game ends. The player with the highest score wins. In this instance, the victory is shared.
- TRIPLE SNAKES - February 15, 2021