How to Play 31

Preparing for the Game

Grab 2 or more friends who are ready to play. Playing groups are recommended at a range of 2 to 9 people, though you really can add as many players as you like. Experts suggest 3 players to be the perfect amount, however this number is subject to your group’s preferences. Some people are all about the competition, while others focus on having a good time with good friends.

Pick up a standard deck of 52 cards. Throw out those Jokers and shuffle up the cards.

Find some space with a flat surface. Although a table is ideal for card games, all you really need is a comfortable space for people to sit around a central location. Cards will be placed in the center for the whole group to share, so be sure to choose a location where everyone will be able to reach and see these communal cards.

Explain the game goal of racing to collect a hand totaling 31 points. Hands consist of 3 cards and totals are determined by adding together cards of the same suit. The objective of the game is to assemble a hand with a score of as close to 31 as possible.

Agree on card values and scoring. Card game rules can vary from group to group as rules are often spread by word of mouth, so be sure your group agrees. Official 31 rules state that an Ace equals 11 points, while Jacks, Queens, and Kings count as 10 and number cards are worth their face value. Cards can only be added together if they are from the same suit. For example, your hand may consist of a 3 of diamonds, an Ace of spades and a King of spades. The hand’s total would equal 21. The 3 of diamonds is not a spade. It cannot be added together with the King and Ace. Any hand with 3-of-a-kind is worth 30 points. This means a hand of 3 fives, 3 deuces or 3 Kings are all worth 30 points and automatically trump any other hand of the same suit worth 30 points.

Select a dealer by cutting the deck. Each player grabs a section of the deck of cards. Players then reveal the bottom card of their cut. Whoever has the card of the lowest value is the chosen dealer. During each game, the person to the left of the previous dealer takes over their position.

Receive 3 “lives”. Although it is not necessary, some people prefer to play 31 with “lives”, represented by 3 chips, 3 pennies, or 3 of any marker the group chooses. At the end of each round, a loser is determined. That loser must place one of their lives in the middle. After a player loses 3 lives, they cannot move on to the next round. The game continues until all but one player is eliminated.

Playing the Game

Deal to the left, placing 1 card face down in front of every player in a clockwise rotation. After everyone has received 3 cards, each player may look at their hand. Under no circumstance should a player allow any other player to see their hand.

Place 3 cards face up in the middle to create the window. Players will be taking and replacing these 3 cards in turn throughout the game.

Assess your cards. Look at the 3 cards in your hand and the 3 cards in the window. Decide which cards, both in your hand and in the window, will push you closer to a hand totaling 31. Don’t forget you can only add together cards of the same suit! Keep this in mind while strategizing.

Place bets if you want. Although betting is not necessary, it can heighten the stakes. If you choose to bet, every player should place an equal amount of chips into the center before anyone takes a turn.

Begin play with the player to the left of the dealer. This player has the option to exchange one of their own cards for one of the cards in the window. Players can switch out as many cards as they wish as long as it is their turn. If a player picks up a new card, they must place one of their old cards in a discard pile. Other players can draw new cards from the window or discard pile.

Play continues in a clockwise fashion. Players continue to add value to their 3-card hands. Always make sure you have 3 cards in your hand, no more or no less.

Asses your competition's emotions as you play. Try to reach a hand of 31, but also keep an eye on your opponents. Determine if they seem pleased or agitated by gestures, facial expressions, and the tones in their voices. Scoring exactly 31 can be a difficult task. Sometimes a player must decide they are as close as they will get. Use your knowledge of the other players to decide if your hand has a good chance of winning. Perhaps you only have a score of 23, but everyone seems disgruntled and the game has been lagging on. You may be the winner.

Winning the Game

Knock when you believe your hand has reached its greatest potential. As soon as you have reached as close to 31 as you believe you can, knock on the table. All other players then have one final turn exchanging cards with the window. If your hand is exactly 31, knock and declare that you have 31. Players do not receive another turn and you show your cards to the group. Everyone else loses and forfeits a life. This can happen at any time, even after another player has already knocked to begin the final round.

Begin the showdown by revealing your cards to the group. The player with the cards of the same suit closest to totaling 31 wins the game. In case of a tie, the player with the highest-ranking cards wins. For example, the combination Ace, Jack, and 4 equals 25, as does a King, Queen, and 5 combination. However, the Ace has a higher rank than the King. The Ace, Jack, 4 hand beats the King, Queen, 5 hand. If the tie continues, the second highest cards are compared (Jack and Queen in the case of the previous example), and so on until a winner is determined.

Declare the lowest scorer as loser. The player with the lowest total loses and forfeits a life. Once a player loses all 3 lives they are eliminated from the game and may not move on to the next hand. In the event that one player knocks but another ends with the highest score in the final round, the knocker loses a life.

Declare the highest scorer as winner. Whether the prize is money, bragging rights, a personal favor, or a boost in self-esteem, winning is always fun. Collect cards, reshuffle, switch dealer to the left and repeat the steps above until all but 1 have been eliminated.

Declare the last player standing as winner of the game. The number of rounds per game will change depending on how many people are playing. More players increase game length as there are more lives to be lost.