OBJECT OF SPAR: The object of Spar is to win the last trick of each round to score points or win stakes.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 2 to 4 players

MATERIALS: A modified 52-card deck, a way to keep score or money to pay stakes, and a flat surface.

TYPE OF GAME: Trick-Taking Card Game

AUDIENCE: Adult

OVERVIEW OF SPAR

Spar is a trick-taking game most often played with 2 to 4 players. The goal of the game is to win the last trick of each round. This results in points for point-based games or stakes being paid if playing for money. 

If playing for money, stakes should be determined and agreed upon by all players before the game begins. 

SETUP 

The game requires a deck to be modified. A 52-card deck has all the cards 5 and below removed from it along with the ace of spades. This leaves a 35-card deck to use for the game. 

The first dealer is chosen at random and is the winner of the last round for future deals. The deck is shuffled, and each player is dealt 5 cards. this can be done clockwise or counterclockwise. 

Card Ranking 

Cards are ranked Ace (high), king, queen, jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, and 6 (low). This means in the spades suit the king is the highest-ranked card instead of the ace since it has been removed from the game. 

There is not a trump suit in this game. 

GAMEPLAY

The game is started with the player either right of the dealer if playing counterclockwise or to the left if paying clockwise. They may lead any card to start the first trick. All other players follow suit if able and may play any card if they cannot follow suit. Once all players have played to the trick, the winner is found. This is the player who played the highest-ranking card of the suit led. The cards remain in the center of the play area and the winner leads the next trick.

Once the fifth trick is played an completed the scoring begins. 

SCORING

The scoring is based on who won the last trick. The winner the last trick is the only player to score points or win stakes and it is according to the card they used to win.  

If the card that won the last trick was a 6, they win 3 points. if the card was a 7, they win 2 points. If the card was an 8 or higher ranked card, they score 1 point. If playing for money this is the number of stakes that must be paid by each player. if playing based off score these points are added to that player’s cumulative score. 

END OF GAME

There is no official end to the game. Players may decide before the game begins how long the game should last, or how many rounds they intend to play. The winner will be the player who has won the most money or earned the most points. 

Amber Crook
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