Tavern Games

This guide will explain the types of games and their rules that were oft played in Taverns and Inns. Hopefully, upon reading this guide, you will have a better understanding of how to play and can go out and have fun at any local inn.

Knucklebones was played during medieval times, though it actually originated in the days of ancient Greece with records of the game dating as far back as 330 B.C. The game features four bones, each taken from the ankle of a sheep, with each bone possessing four sides, each of a different shape. Each long side --- convex, sinuous, flat and concave, respectively --- is given a different value, typically 1, 3, 4 and 6. Players roll the bones like dice, and add together their score for the round based on which side of each bone lands facing upwards. If bones aren't available, the organizers could substitute them for a set of four-sided dice.

Below you will see an image explaining the points you can accrue from the various 'faces' of the bones.

Hazard az-zahr (الزهر)

This game (meaning literally dice in Arabic) and its far-Asian counterpart Sic Bo (high-low) was one of the most played games in 13th century Europe. Hazard is the predecessor of the modern game craps, which is a simplified version of this rather convoluted medieval gambling game.

The players assemble round a circular table, with one space being reserved for the “groom-porter,” who occupies a somewhat elevated position of overseer, calls the odds on the selected ‘main’, and generally sees that the game is played correctly. Whoever takes the box and dice places his money in the centre of the table – this is at once covered with an equal amount either by some individual speculator, or by the contributions of several. The player (technically called the “caster”) then proceeds to call a “main.” There are five mains on the dice, namely, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9; of these he mentally selects that one (based either chance or superstition), calls it aloud, shakes the box, and delivers the dice. If he throws the exact number he called, he “nicks” it and wins; if he throws any other number (with a few exceptions, which will be mentioned), he neither wins nor loses.

The number, however, which he thus throws becomes his “chance,” and if he can succeed in repeating the “chance” again before then throwing his “main”, he wins; if not, he loses. For example, suppose the caster “sets”–that is, places on the table–a stake of 10 silver; it is covered by an equal amount, and he then calls 7 as his main. The caster, however, throws 5; the groom-porter at once calls aloud, “5 to 7”– that means, 5 is the number to win and 7 the number to lose: remember, having missed his “main” the first time he must now repeat his “chance”. The player now continues throwing until the event is determined by the turning up of either the main or the chance. During this time, however, a most important feature in the game comes into operation–the laying and taking of the odds caused by the relative proportions of the main and the chance. These, as has been said, are calculated with mathematical exactness, are proclaimed by the groom-porter, and are never varied. In the above instance, as the caster stands to win with 5 and to lose with 7, the odds are declared to be 3 to 2 against him, inasmuch as there are three ways of throwing 7, and only two of throwing 5. As soon as the odds are declared, the caster may increase his stake by any sum he wishes, and the other players may cover it by putting down (in this instance) two-thirds of the amount, the masse, or entire sum, to await the turning up of either main or chance. If a player “throws out” (throws neither the “main” nor the “chance”) three times in succession, the box passes to the next person on his left, who at once takes up the play. He may, however, “throw in” without interruption, and if he can do so some half-dozen times and back his luck, the gains will be enormous.

Cards

Playing cards were first invented in China, in the 9th century, they first entered Europe though the middle east in about the 14th century, although these cards tended to have more in common with what you might describe as "tarot" cards than modern day playing cards.

By the 15th century woodcut printed playing cards were relatively common among upper classes. they were used for gambling at the time, although I do not know precisely what games.

The Four suits known in modern card games (Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs) originated in the late 15th century in france.

Sequence

The next part of the declaration is the sequence, in which the longest consecutive run of cards is valued. A sequence must have at least three cards and they must all be in the same suit. Again, the elder hand starts. For example, "Run of three" or "Sequence of four". The younger than responds with "Good" or "Not good", in the same way as before, or by contesting. To contest, the younger says "How high?", to which the elder responds with the highest card in the sequence. For example, "To the queen". Younger replies with "Good", "Not good" or "Equal".

In keeping with the game's ancestry, one may utilize the historical names for sequences in this part of the declaration, instead of the prosaic "Run of three", for example. The following are the proper names and their associated values; those from 6 up are obsolete in English:

The person winning the sequence may declare any additional sequences that he has, if desired. If both players' best sequences are equal then neither player may score for any sequences.

Set

A set is three or four of a kind, ten or greater (7s, 8s, and 9s don't count, and aces are highest). Sets of three are called trios or brelans and are worth 3 points, and sets of four, quatorzes ("cat-orz"), are worth 14 points. The declarations take place in the same manner as "point" and "sequence", with elder stating his best set (for example, "Three kings"), to which younger replies "Good" or "Not good". The player with the best set may declare any additional sets that he has if desired.

Carte Rouge

A variation is sometimes played in which 20 points are received if every card in a player's hand is used at some point while making up one or more "good" declarations, carte blanche excluded. The points are scored at the time this occurs and are not subject to the order of point counting, below.

The following example should illustrate one way carte rouge may apply during a hand.

Six cards were good in points, and the other six were good in sequences.

The 20 points would then be awarded at that stage of the counting towards a repique.

Pique and Repique

If a player scores 30 points during the declaration phase prior to his opponent scoring anything, that player gains a repique, which is worth an additional 60 points. If elder scores 30 points in declarations and play combined, before younger scores any points, then elder gains a pique and scores an additional 30 points. A player can only score either repique or pique, not both.

All declaration scoring must be evaluated in the following order, after the play of the first card by elder:

1. Carte Blanche
2. Point
3. Sequnces
4. Sets

If a player were to score more than 30 points in points and sequences before the other might score in sets, then the player would receive a repique.

For example: elder has a quatorze of aces for 14 points; younger has a point of 7 and two quints for a total of 37 points. According to the order of scoring, above, younger would receive the repique bonus.

Note that younger can never gain a pique because elder always scores one point for leading to the first trick (see below). By the end of the declaration, each player will have a pretty good idea of the other's hand (to the degree that each chooses to claim their points).

Additionally, should elder achieve "cards"—more than 6 tricks—prior to younger winning any tricks, then the 10 points for "cards" may immediately be applied to a pique. If elder subsequently wins all the tricks, elder only receives the remaining 30 of the 40 points awarded for capot. The capot does not count towards a pique.

Equality has no effect on pique or repique.

Carte rouge is applied as soon as it occurs, and is not subject to the ordering, above; however, a common variation is that a "pique" or "repique" cannot be scored as the result of a "Carte Rouge" by the younger hand, once elder has played a first card.

Play

The play is the trick-taking part of the game. Players must follow suits with the elder hand placing a card face up and scoring one point. The younger then scores for their declarations and plays a card that follows suit, if possible. If not, he may discard anything he chooses. The winner of the trick (the player with the highest card in the suit led), takes the trick, placing it face-down (usually; see variations) in front of themself. The winner of the trick leads the next. When forced to discard, it is important to choose the right card. See tactics.

The score is usually kept verbally as play progresses. Trick score counts as follows:

• 1 point for leading a trick
• If the second player (the player who doesn't lead) wins a trick, he gets a point.
• The winner of the last trick wins a 1-point bonus (see variations).

Cards

The player with the greater number of tricks won at the end of play scores 10 for cards. If there is a tie, then neither player scores the additional points.

Capot

If all 12 tricks are won by one player, that player scores 40 points for capot ("capot" is the origin of the word kaput).

Scoring

• Rubicon piquet: Six hands are played regardless of final score. The winner's margin is computed as winner's score – loser's score + 100. If, however, the loser fails to score at least 100 points, then the final score is computed as: winner's score + loser's score + 100; since the loser failed to "cross the Rubicon".

E.g. 105 to 101 = 4 + 100 = 104 to the winner; 97 to 89 = 97 + 89 + 100 = 286 to the winner

• Classic piquet, also known as piquet au cent: Played to 100 or 101 points, regardless of how many hands it takes to reach 100, usually five or six, uses a deck that includes the sixes of all four suits, and allows up to seven cards to be exchanged by the elder hand. In this variation, it is possible for both hands to score carte blanche, since the six of each suit is available to be used in a sequence of 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, A in each player's hand, two suits each. Additionally, points are not accumulated for leading to a trick, but are rather earned by the winner of the trick, one point per 10-card or higher; thus, a person could win a trick, and earn 0, 1, or 2 points. There is no point for winning the last trick.

Variations

• Players may choose to keep tricks face up in front of them.
• Players may look through both players' winning tricks.
• The winner of the last trick may score 10 points instead of 1, making the choice of how to close the play more significant.
• Declarations state the total card values for points each time it is declared, not just when the dealer says "Equal".
• Carte rouge may award 10 or 40 points instead of 20, at the players' discretion.

Tactics

Players discard low cards (nine or lower) even if this means getting rid of four or more of one suit. This diminishes the chances of winning the point round, but this round is the lowest scoring one. Getting rid of these lower cards to get straights of five or more is very beneficial and will increase one's score greatly. Players may attempt to hold "stop" cards (usually queens or kings in their opponent's strong suit) for the last stage of play, in order to block their opponent's run of tricks with their long sequences.

Cribbage

Cribbage, or crib, is a card game traditionally for two players, but commonly played with three, four or more, that involves playing and grouping cards in combinations which gain points. Cribbage has several distinctive features: the cribbage board used for score-keeping, the eponymous crib, box, or kitty (in parts of Canada)—a separate hand counting for the dealer—two distinct scoring stages (the play and the show) and a unique scoring system including points for groups of cards that total fifteen. It has been characterized as "Britain's national card game" and the only one legally playable on licensed premises (pubs and clubs) without requiring local authority permission.

The game has relatively few rules yet yields endless subtleties during play. Tactical play varies, depending on which cards the opponent has played, assessing how many cards in the remaining deck of forty cards will help the hand you hold, and one's position on the board. Many games are decided by just a single digit points margin, with the edge going to the experienced players who understand the odds and their position on the board.

Luck-of-the-deal and the cut plays a role in the outcome of games, but over time experienced players will have an edge over novices.

Show

Once the play is complete, each player in turn, starting with the player on the left of the dealer, displays their own hand on the table and scores points based on its content in conjunction with the starter card. Points are scored for:

• Combinations of cards totalling fifteen
• Runs
• Pairs (Multiple pairs are scored pair by pair but may be referred to as three or four of a kind.)
• Flush (A four-card flush scores four and cannot include the starter card; a five-card flush scores five.)
• Having a jack of the same suit as the starter card ("one for his nob [or nobs or nibs]", sometimes called the "right" jack)

The dealer scores their hand last and then turns the cards in the crib face up. These cards are then scored by the dealer as an additional hand, also in conjunction with the starter card. Unlike the dealer's own hand, the crib cannot score a four-card flush, but it can score a five-card flush with the starter.

All scores from 0 to 29 are possible, with the exception of 19, 25, 26 and 27.[10] Players may refer colloquially to a hand scoring zero points as a “nineteen hand”.

Muggins

Muggins (also known as cut-throat) is a commonly used but optional rule, which must be announced before game play begins. If a player fails to claim their full score on any turn, the opponent may call out "Muggins" and peg any points overlooked by the player.

Match

A match (much like tennis) consists of more than one game, often an odd number. The match points are scored on the cribbage board using the holes reserved for match points. On a spiral board, these are often at the bottom of the board in a line with 5 or 7 holes. On a conventional board, they are often in the middle of the board or at the top or bottom.

In a two-player game of cribbage, a player scores one match point for winning a game. Their opponent will start as dealer in the next game. If a player lurches (British) or skunks (US) their opponent (reaches 121 points before their opponent scores 91 points), that player wins two match points for that game. If a player double skunks their opponent (reaches 121 points before their opponent reaches 61), they score three or four match points for the game, depending on local convention. If a player triple skunks their opponent (reaches 121 points before their opponent reaches 31 points), they automatically win the match. Double and triple skunks are not included in the official rules of cribbage play and are optional. There are several different formats for scoring match points.

Cribbage Board

Visually, cribbage is known for its scoring board—a series of holes ("streets") on which the score is tallied with pegs (also known as "spilikins"). Scores can be kept on a piece of paper, but a cribbage board is almost always used, since scoring occurs throughout the game, not just at the conclusion of hands as in most other card games. Points are registered as having been scored by "pegging" along the crib board. Two pegs are used in a leapfrog fashion, so that if a player loses track during the count one peg still marks the previous score. Some boards have a "game counter" with many additional holes for use with a third peg to count the games won by each side.