OBJECTIVE OF THREE TWO FIVE: Collect the most tricks by the end of the final round to win the game.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 3 players
NUMBER OF CARDS: 30 cards
RANK OF CARDS: (low) 7 – Ace (high)
TYPE OF GAME: Trick Taking Card Game
AUDIENCE: Adults
INTRODUCTION OF THREE TWO FIVE
Three Two Five is a trick taking card game for three players in which each person has their own contract of tricks to capture. The dealer must capture at least 2 tricks. The player on their left, who will lead the first trick and name the trump suit, must capture at least 5 tricks. The final player must win at least 3 tricks.
THE CARDS & THE DEAL
A modified 52 card pack is used for this game. All that is needed is 8 – Ace from each suit as well as the 7 of Hearts and Spades.
To determine the dealer for the first round, use a 2,3 and 5 card. Mix up the cards and give one to each player. Whoever has the 2 is the first dealer. Shuffle and deal ten cards to each player. Deal passes left each round.
THE PLAY
The player left of the dealer names the trump suit for the round and leads the first trick with any card they want. Following players should match the lead suit. If that is not possible, the player can throw any card they want to the trick. The highest card in the lead suit wins unless trump is played. In that case, the highest ranking trump suited card wins. The trick-winner gets to lead the next trick, and play will continue until all ten tricks are complete.
Players should keep their captured tricks face down in such a way that their opponents can see how many tricks there are.
PULLING CARDS
At the beginning of round 2 and each round after, players may have the opportunity to take cards from their opponents.
Any player who collected more cards than their contract required gets to take a card (unseen) from an opponent who collected fewer cards than their contract required. To do so, the player who was under their contract offers their cards in a fan from which the opponent will choose one. That player then picks one unwanted card from their hand to give back to the player. The player must have at least three cards in a single suit in order to give one back to their opponent. They are also not allowed to give the card they just drew back. They must keep it.
EXAMPLE
Steve led the first trick and was required to capture at least 5 tricks. He only captured 4. Melissa, the dealer, captured 4 tricks, so she went over her contract by 2. Darnell also ended the round below his contract with only 2 tricks. Once the cards have been dealt for the next round, Melissa gets to take one card from Steve and Darnell. First, she takes a card from Steve and gives him one in return. Then, she takes a card from Darnell’s hand and gives him one as well. The round now begins with the player seated left of the dealer naming trump and leading the first trick.
SCORING
At the end of the round, players earn 1 point for each trick they capture regardless of whether or not they met their contract.
WINNING
The player with the highest score after the agreed upon number of rounds is the winner.
- TRIPLE SNAKES - February 15, 2021