Play or Pay

Rank of Cards

The cards in each suit rank: K (high), Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, A.

The Ante

Each player puts one chip in the pot before each deal.

The Deal

Deal the cards one at a time clockwise, face down, beginning with the player on the left. All the cards are dealt, and some players may receive fewer cards than others. It is customary for each player with fewer cards to ante one additional chip.

Object of the Game

The goal is to be the first player to get rid of all of their cards.

The Play

Beginning to the left of the dealer, each person must play a card if possible. All cards played remain face up on the table, arranged in four rows of the four suits. The first player may play any card. The sequence in the suit must be built up until all thirteen cards are played, and the sequence in the suit is continuous.

For example: J, Q, K, A, 2, and so on.

The turn to play rotates to the left and if a person is unable to play in turn, they put one chip in the pot.

Whoever plays the thirteenth card of a suit may choose any card from their hand to begin the next series.

How to Keep Score

The first player to get rid of all of their cards wins the pot.