How to play three cats? - briefly
Three Cats is a traditional card game typically enjoyed by three players. To begin, each player is dealt five cards from a standard 52-card deck, and the goal is to form the best possible combinations using these cards and the community cards dealt face-up on the table.
How to play three cats? - in detail
Three Cats is a classic Russian card game that combines elements of strategy and luck. It is typically played with a standard 36-card deck, which includes cards from 6 to Ace in four suits. The objective of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards.
To begin, shuffle the deck thoroughly and deal seven cards to each player. Place the remaining cards face down in a draw pile. Turn the top card of the draw pile face up next to it, starting the discard pile. The player to the dealer's left goes first and play proceeds clockwise.
On your turn, you must match the top card of the discard pile in rank, suit, or color. For example, if the top card is a 7 of hearts, you can play any 7, any heart, or any red card. If you cannot or do not wish to play a card, you must draw a card from the draw pile. If the drawn card can be played, you may do so; otherwise, your turn ends.
There are special actions associated with certain cards:
- Aces: When an Ace is played, the next player must draw two additional cards and forfeit their turn. If another Ace is played subsequently, the penalty increases by two cards (four cards, six cards, and so on).
- Kings: When a King is played, the next player is skipped, and the turn passes to the following player.
- Queens: When a Queen is played, the direction of play reverses. If play was proceeding clockwise, it changes to counterclockwise, and vice versa.
- Jacks: When a Jack is played, the next player must draw four cards and forfeit their turn.
- Sixes: When a Six is played, the next player must draw one card and forfeit their turn.
If at any point the draw pile is exhausted, shuffle the discard pile (except for the top card, which remains face up) to create a new draw pile.
The game continues until one player has successfully discarded all of their cards. That player is declared the winner. If a player is reduced to one card, they must announce "Last card!" before playing it; otherwise, they must draw two additional cards and forfeit their turn.
To enhance the strategic depth of the game, players often employ tactics such as forcing opponents to draw cards, changing the direction of play, or skipping turns. Understanding the special actions of each card and adapting your strategy accordingly is essential for success in Three Cats.