Objective
The objective of the game 31 (also known as Scat or Blitz) is to have a hand with a value as close to 31 as possible at the end of each round. The player with the lowest score loses a "life."
Setup
- Number of Players: 3 to 9 players
- Deck: A standard 32-card deck (a Skat deck), consisting of cards numbered 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace.
- Life Tokens: Each player starts with three life tokens (typically coins).
Card Values
- Ace = 11 points
- King, Queen, Jack = 10 points
- 10, 9, 8, 7 = face value
Gameplay
- Each player receives three cards. Three cards are placed face-up in the center.
- The player to the left of the dealer begins and chooses one of the following actions:
- Exchange: Swap one card from their hand with one from the central pile.
- Pass: Opt not to exchange cards.
- Knock: Declare this is the final round; all other players get one more turn.
- The aim is to collect a set of cards with the highest total score.
- A valid combination could be three cards of the same suit (e.g., Ace of Hearts, King of Hearts, Nine of Hearts), adding up their values.
End of Round
The round ends when a player knocks or there are no more center cards. Each player's hand value is summed up.
Winning and Losing
- The player with the lowest total in any round loses a life.
- If a player loses all lives, they are "knocked out."
- The game ends when one player is the last one remaining with lives.
Strategies
- Balancing: It's crucial to collect strong combinations (e.g., three Aces) or anticipate the potential to acquire them.
- Strategic Knocking: Only knock when you believe having a high score maximizes your chance to win the round.
- Watching Others: Observing what other players pick or discard can help gauge their hand strength.
