TWENTY-FIVE (25)

OBJECT OF 25: The object of 25 is to be the first player or team to reach 25 points.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 3 to 9 players

MATERIALS: One standard 52-card deck, a way to keep score, and a flat surface.

TYPE OF GAME: Trick-Taking Card Game

AUDIENCE: Adult

OVERVIEW OF TWENTY-FIVE (25)

25 is a trick-taking card game for 3 to 9 players. Even numbers of players can play in teams of two and 6 and 9 players can split into teams of three. In teams of two games partners sit opposite each other. In teams of three games, players should sit between two members of the opposite team. 

The goal of the game is to score 25 points. Players and teams can achieve this by winning tricks through several deals. 

25 is sometimes played as a bidding game. in this case, players usually pay stakes to the winner of the game. these stakes should be discussed before the games start. 

SETUP 

The first dealer is chosen randomly and passes to the left for each new deal. The dealer will shuffle and offer the deck to the player to their right to cut. Then they shall deal each player in clockwise order a hand of 5 cards each. This can be done in batches of 2 and 3 cards if desired. 

After the players receive their hands the remaining cards are placed centrally, and the top card is flipped by the dealer. This card determines the trumps suit for the round. 

Once it is flipped the player holding the ace of the trump suit may rob the revealed card. To rob the card, that player will place a card from their hand facedown next to the undealt deck and take the revealed card in their hand. If the revealed card is the ace of the trump suit, the dealer may rob the card in the same manner. If no player holds the ace of trumps, then there is no robbing. Players have until they play their first card in the first trick to rob the card or the pass up the opportunity. 

Card Ranking and Values

The ranking for the trump suit is based on which suit it is. There are four possible rankings for trumps. All non-trump suits also have their rankings. 

Trumps

If hearts are trumps, they rank 5 (high), jack, ace, king, queen, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 4, 3, and 2 (low).

If diamonds are trumps, they rank 5, jack, ace of hearts, ace of diamonds, king, queen, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 4, 3, and 2 (low)

If clubs are trumps, they rank 5, jack, ace of hearts, ace of clubs, king, queen, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 (low).

If spades are trumps, they rank 5, jack, ace of hearts, ace of spades, king, queen, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 (low). 

Non-trumps

For non-trumps suits, they rank as follows. 

Hearts rank king (high), queen, jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 (low).

Diamonds rank king (high), queen, jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and ace (low).

Clubs rank king (high), queen, jack, ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 (low). 

Spades rank king (high), queen, jack ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 (low).

GAMEPLAY

25 is started by the player to the dealer’s left. They may lead any card to the trick.

If it’s a non-trump card following players may either follow suit or play a trump, if they do not have a card to follow suit, they may play a trump or any other card. in 25 you may always play a trump, even if you can follow suit. 

If the card led is a trump, following players must play a trump, excluding the 3 highest ranked trumps (5, jack, and ace of hearts). These cards may be played but do not have to be played if they are the only trumps in your hand. The only way you can be forced to play these cards is if another player leads a higher trump than you have in hand. If you do not hold a trump you must play you may play any card. 

Remember when following suit, the ace of hearts is not a hearts card, but a trump. 

The highest trump, if applicable, wins the trick. If no trumps, the highest card of the suit lead wins the trick. The winner of a trick leads the next. A won trick should be kept in a player’s score pile. 

SCORING

Once the round is over players and teams tally their scores. Each trick won is worth 5 points. 

END OF GAME

The game ends when a player or team reaches 25 points. this can happen in the middle of a round. when the 25 points are reached the game is won by the player or team to achieve the score. 

If bidding stakes are paid out to the winners. In some games, if a player or team wins the 25 points before another team or player scores, they are awarded double stakes. 

Amber Crook
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