How to Play the Card Game The Royal Court

Royal Court is an unusual card game that involves imagining cards as residents of a palace. The object of the game is to remember each card's name. The game is best for 3-5 players.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Only the tens, jacks, queens, kings, and aces from a regular deck of cards.

How to Play the Card Game “Royal Court”

1. Begin by introducing the “members of the court” to each player. Spread the cards on the table, face up, and organize by suits. For the spades:--the King is called “Spade the Royal Cook” --the Queen is called “Spade the Royal Cook’s wife” --the Jack is “Spade the Royal Cook’s son --the Ace is “Spade the Royal Cook’s assistant--the Ten is “Spade the Royal Cook’s dogFor the hearts:--the King is called “Sir Hearty John”--the Queen is called “Sir Hearty John’s wife” --the Jack is “Sir Hearty John’s son” --the Ace is “Sit Hearty John’s servant”--the Ten is “Sir Hearty John’s dog.”For the clubs:--the King is called “Club the Court Clown” --the Queen is called “Club the Court Clown’s wife” --the Jack is “Club the Court Clown’s son” --the Ace is “Club the Court Clown’s assistant”--the Ten is “Club the Court Clown’s dog”For the diamonds:--the King is called “Sir Sparkly” --the Queen is called “Sir Sparkly’s wife” --the Jack is “Sir Sparkly’s son” --the Ace is “Sir Sparkly’s servant”--the Ten is “Sir Sparkly’s dog”

2. Explain the object of the game is to capture all of the cards. Make sure each player has the opportunity to learn the name of each card. Explain that the black suits are assistants; and the red suits are servants.

3. Shuffle the cards, then deal one at a time.

4. Ask a player for one card. He must call that card by name. For example, if the dealer asks for the ace of hearts, instead of Sir Hearty’s servant, he must give a card to the player rather than receive one. As long as the dealer is successful in asking for (and receiving) cards, his turn continues. If he makes a mistake or the player does not have that particular card, the dealer's turn ends. The play passes to the player to the left of the dealer.

5. Ask a specific player for any specific card(s) that you know was received earlier in the game.

6. Drop out if you lose all of your cards. The player who captures all of the cards is the winner.