Heard of Hearts? Well, now there’s Clubs

The card game Hearts has been around for a long time. How long? We’re not really sure. But we know it’s been a popular card game for a very long time. When it comes as a free game on many computers, it’s easy to become popular.

But Clubs is a relatively new card game from North Star Games.

And though the name may conjure up thoughts of Hearts (see above), Clubs is played much differently than Hearts. Yes, players play cards to the center of the table and win Tricks (claim the cards played to the table). And yes, Clubs is also a light card game. But the way you go about playing cards, winning tricks, and gaining points is much different.

How to play Clubs

Clubs is a simple card game played in rounds where each round players try to get rid of their hand of cards as fast as they can while winning Tricks with clubs in them. (A Trick is the pile of cards that have been played to the center of the table.) Players want the clubs cards because they’re the ones worth points!

Players start each round with 10 cards in their hand (numbered 1 through 15). The ‘leader’ plays a Meld of cards of their choice.

There are 2 different types of melds that can be played.

• “Of-A-Kind” is any card played alone or with one or more cards of the same number. So it could be ‘1 of a kind’, ‘2 of a kind’, etc.
• “Run” is two or more cards with sequential numbers.

Once that meld has been played, following players can only play that same meld type. The must play the same number of cards of that meld type. The highest card played must be higher than the highest card from the previous play.

For example, if the leader played a Run of 3 with the cards 5, 6, 7, the next player must play a Run of 3 where the highest card must be higher than 7 such as a run 6, 7, 8 or even higher like 10, 11, 12.

If a player can’t play cards of that meld type, then they must pass. (Players can also pass by choice.) A Trick is won anytime someone plays a meld with a 15 or when all players have consecutively passed. The winner of that trick takes all the cards and then becomes the new leader.

Play continues like that until all players have played all the cards in their hand.

When players get rid of all their cards, they also claim a Bonus card. The first one to do so claims the highest point Bonus card. The other players follow as they “go out” with each bonus card being a lower point value. Once someone claims the 0 point bonus card, the round ends.

Players tally the points of their clubs cards and bonus cards. If someone has reached 50 or more points, the game ends. If not, play continues to a new round. Rinse, repeat.

The player with the most points at then end of a round wherein someone has reached 50 or more points, wins.

There are also a few variations described in the rule book that mix things up a bit – including Partnership Clubs where you can play in teams.

Can the whole family enjoy Clubs?
Clubs is a pretty straight-forward card game. The catch is figuring out when and how to play your cards so you’ll have a better chance of claiming the pile of cards when there are clubs cards in the pile to earn you points. And going after the Bonus cards are definitely worth it.

With that in mind, older players will have an advantage in playing Clubs. But kids can still enjoy playing it. They’ll enjoy finding different melds in their hands. But if they’re having trouble getting rid of all their cards first or claiming tricks, they’ll quickly lose interest.

Clubs is best for older kids and adults looking for a light card game. Up to 6 people can play, so it’s also great when you’re together with a few couples. And with the Partnership Clubs variation playing 3 teams of 2 really does make for a good couples game.

How does Clubs score on the “Let’s Play Again” game meter?
Clubs is definitely a card game where “let’s play again” rings out. Sometimes 50 points just comes too fast and players are eager to start up a new game. Mostly the calls for “let’s play again” come from those on the tail end of the scoring. They know they can do better “this time”. ☺

And like most cards games that are a small deck of cards, Clubs is easy to throw in your pocket to take and play in many different locations.

Thanks North Star Games for a fun, light family card game.

The Board Game Family Game Ratings
	Caleb
	Brooke
	Jaden
	Trevor
	Mom
	Dad
	Average

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