SIXES



OBJECTIVE OF SIXES: Have the most chips at the end of the game

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 5 players

NUMBER OF CARDS: 40 cards

RANK OF CARDS:  (Low) Ace – 7, Jack – King (high)

TYPE OF GAME: Hand Shedding Card Game

AUDIENCE: Adults


INTRODUCTION OF SIXES

Sixes is a Spanish hand shedding game typically played with a 40 card Spanish suited deck.  However, the game is easily played with a modified 52 card deck as well.  Each player will start the game with a small pile of chips and a hand of cards.  On their turn, players hope to play one card from their hand onto any of the available discard columns.  If they cannot, they must contribute one chip to the pot.  The first player to empty their hand entirely wins the pot.

THE CARDS & THE DEAL

 To set up for the game, give each player their own set of chips.  Any sort of token (poker chips, match sticks, pennies) can be used, but make sure each player begins with the same number.  The more chips that players start with, the longer the game will last.  Ten to fifteen is a good starting point.

A 40 card deck is used.  If a 52 card deck is used, remove the 8’s, 9’s, & 10’s.  Aces are low and Kings are high.  Shuffle the deck and deal out all of the cards so that each player has 8.  For future rounds, whichever player began the previous round with the 6 of Diamonds deals.

THE PLAY

During play, 6’s will begin a discard column for each suit.  Once a 6 is played, the column must be built up and down in sequential order according to that suit.  If a player cannot add to an existing column or begin a new one with a 6, they must add a chip to the pot and pass. 

The player holding the 6 of Diamonds goes first.  They place that card face up in the center of the playing space.  This begins the Diamond discard column.  Play continues left.

The next player has a few options.  They may either play the 5 of Diamonds below the 6, the 7 of Diamonds above the 6, or they may begin another discard column by playing a 6 from a different suit.  If the player is unable to play a card, they add a chip to the pot and pass.  Only one card may be played per turn.

WINNING THE ROUND

Play continues until one person has played their final card.  That player is the winner of the round.  They collect all of the chips from the pot.  Whoever played the 6 of Diamonds collects the cards, shuffles and deals out the next round.

WINNING

Continue playing rounds until one player has run out of chips.  At that point, whoever has the most chips wins the game.

Mark Ball
Latest posts by Mark Ball (see all)
×