Forty-fives...

[pinto]

This is the 'national' card game in the Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts, played as well throughout northern New England and Atlantic Canada. A simple enough game to learn, once you get the odd ranking of the cards, yet enough variation in play to remain fascinating for players.

It's usually played in two person teams.

It's a bidding trump game (whoever wins the bid names the trump suit, which takes all other cards in the play.)

A five card hand is dealt, with a "kitty" of three in the middle of the table, in this sequence: 3 cards to each, the kitty, then two cards to each - all face down.

Ranking of cards is this:

5 (of trumps)
Jack (of trumps)
Ace of Hearts (always 3rd highest card, regardless of trumps)

Ace, King, Queen, Jack of off suit (not trump).

Number cards are ranked by color:

10 through 2 in red (10 beats 2).

2 through 10 in black (2 beats 10).

(There is a variation for a black Ace, when an off suit, usually agreed upon before play, if it should be a "1" numbered card.)

**********************************

There are five tricks to a hand, highest card played wins the trick. Each trick is worth 5 points

Bidding is blind, based on how many tricks a person thinks they can make in a five card hand. Consideration is usually given to partner's contribution - it's a good partner game.

Each trick is worth 5 points. Bids are 5 - 10 - 15 - 20 - 25 - 30.

Winning bidder names trump, picks up the 3 card kitty from the table.

All players then have a throw away option. 4 cards can be discarded (bidder can discard 7) all hands end up with 5 cards. Dealer replaces for a five card hand, and bidder leads off.

(The trick won with the highest card of all hands is worth 10, hence the 30 bet.)

(There is a local variations called 30 - for - 60, if bidder makes all tricks, primarily in private money games, but it is generally frowned upon.)

***********************************

Play ensues as with any other card game. Bidder leads off, trumps or top card takes the hand.

120 points is game.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forty-fives

[Forkboy]

1. I live in Fitchburg and that's new to me.

I gotta get out more. :)

[madinmaryland]

2. What's a Sporkboy??

:shrug: