After the clearing away of the supper dishes and the setting of the tropical sun, out came the pressure lamp to light our little family circle. In the absence of television, we provided our own entertainment through table games. Though traditional playing cards (touted as sinful because of their association with gambling) were forbidden, my father happily indulged in the game of Rook. Indeed, it was the only game he’d play with the family. My mother, on the other hand, defaulted to Scrabble and other word games. If grownups were busy, we kids played a variety of board games, including Snakes and Ladders, Old Maid, Clue, Yahtzee (some missionaries even forbade the use of dice), Monopoly, or Careers.
When I chose “Games” as my word for the year, my husband and I began the tradition of clearing the supper dishes and playing a nightly game together of “I Buy” (first introduced to us 40 years ago by our friends the Acords). And, yes, we use those forbidden card decks. We have since taught this simple game to nearly everyone who graces our table (see below for the rules).
Next, I emailed all our local friends inviting them to a monthly Game Night, including snacks which ranged from popcorn to ice cream bars. Those who responded with interest I put on a monthly reminder list and asked for RSVPs. Here’s how it all panned out.
For January, I carefully divided the 12 signed-up players into 3 groups to play different games at each table. Sadly, one couple canceled at the last minute, and we had to scramble to readjust—my first disappointment for plans gone awry. For February, I invited couples only (single players had to bring a partner), and 10 showed up. (One funny story: I got a text asking what time to arrive, but the couple had the wrong date. So, we spontaneously went out to dinner together and then to their house to learn a new game. Now that was fun!) In March I opened it up to families with children to play high energy games (8 participants). In April I chose word games as the theme (my favorite) but only 2 came. Again, I had to adjust my expectations.
For May and June, I invited one couple each to get to know them better. I decided this is more my style. In July our whole family (7 adults, 5 grands) traveled to Holland, Michigan, where my 3 girls and I played a competitive jigsaw puzzle game (I lost). August brought 13 people to our house to play “Just One” (a fun, collaborative word game), though I noticed some spouses and children were more drawn to the jigsaw puzzle on my dining room table.
September was hectic with last-minute cancellations, so I went to a ladies’ game night at church instead. October found Scott and me aboard a Viking cruise on the Rhine River. We taught “I Buy” to 2 couples who befriended us. In November, I chose puzzle games as my theme. Was it the category or the time of year? Only one person came, and we played Scrabble instead. And, in honor of my parents’ anniversary in December, I suggested a pizza party with Rook and Scrabble as my final hurrah. Out of the initial 18 maybes, only 2 didn’t cancel, so we went out to dinner and played “I Buy.”
What I learned: Hold plans loosely, let go of expectations, be flexible. Spontaneous can be just as fun as planned. Some friends are competitive, and some prefer to just talk and have fun. Watch the triggers surface when you put the two together! People appreciate being invited.
What I gained: I made some new friends and deepened some relationships.
What I’d do differently: Less focus on planning ahead of time which games to play and just decide once everyone arrives. I’ll probably go back to inviting just one family at a time. I’m still looking for Rook players!
Rules for “I Buy”
3-6 players (can play in teams if number of players is even)
Need: 2 decks of cards (for 2-4 players); 3 decks of cards (for 5-6 players)
The game consists of 7 rounds, each with a different combination of books and runs.
Rounds:
- Two books
- 1 book, 1 run
- 2 runs
- 2 books, 1 run
- 2 runs, 1 book
- 3 books
- 3 runs
Books = 3 or more of a kind (e.g. 3 or more Aces or 3 or more nines)
Runs = 4 or more in a row in the same suit. (e.g. four-five-six-seven of spades)
- Aces can be high or low, but not both. (e.g. Ace-two-three-four or Jack-Queen-King-Ace). Nor can you wrap around (e.g. Queen-King-Ace-two)
- For rounds with 2 or 3 runs, they must be in 2 or 3 different suits. (e.g. you cannot lay down Ace-two-three-four of hearts and eight-nine-ten-Jack of hearts as two different sets)
Set up: Dealer gives each person 12 cards for each round. Place the rest of the cards face down in the middle (the draw pile).
Goal: To be the first to get rid of your cards.
Scoring consists of what points are left in one’s hand. (Your partner’s points count zero if you go out first.)
- Jokers (wild) = 25 points
- Aces = 15 points
- 10 – King = 10 points
- 2-9 = 5 points
Rules:
- At the start of each round, when everyone is ready, the dealer takes a card off the top of the deck and tosses it quickly, face up, on the table.
- The card automatically belongs to the person on dealer’s left IF HE WANTS IT. If he wants the card, he places it in his hand and discards (face up) another card from his hand. If he DOESN’T WANT IT, the card is up for grabs.
- “Up for grabs” means any another player can say, “I buy.”
- If more than one person says it, the players must decide who said it first.
- If a person says “I buy” but changes his mind, too bad. He must take it.
- The person who wins the “buy” takes the tossed card PLUS another one from the top of the draw pile.
- If no one wants the card (including the person to the left of the dealer) the player to the left of the dealer then takes a card from the draw pile and discards (face up) one from his hand. The person to the left always has first dibs on the discard (without penalty of buying an extra card).
- Play continues in this fashion around the table until someone is ready to “lay down.” This means he must lay down EXACTLY what each round calls for. (e.g. on Round #1 he must lay down exactly 2 books at one time. He may only lay down 2 books, not one set, not three sets). Of course each set of books can consist of more than 3 cards.
- Once a player has laid his required set of books or runs on the table, he is free to get rid of more cards in his hand by placing them appropriately on other players’ sets (adding to a set or building a run).
- Each round comes to an end when one player goes out—either laying down all his cards on other people’s sets or throwing his last remaining card on the discard pile.
- One fun rule is that once you have laid down your required sets, on your turn you may steal a Joker from someone else’s run (but NOT from a book) if you have the missing card in your hand.
- Example: one player lays down a run of four-Joker-six-seven of hearts. On your turn, if you have the five of hearts, you exchange your card for the Joker and play the Joker somewhere else on the table, either with a book or in a run.
- You must use the Joker immediately. You may not keep it in your hand.
- Once Round #1 (2 books) ends, deal goes to the next person and play continues as before for Round #2 (1 book, 1 run).
Rules for Partners
On your turn, you may play at any time on your partner’s cards that have been placed on the table. You do not have to wait until you are down yourself. (Strategy hint: don’t do this too early in the game. You may find you need a card later for your own set.)
Remember, if you are not playing teams, you may only play on another person’s pile after you have laid down your own sets.
Rules for 2 players (not as intense since you’re not competing for cards with other players)
On your turn, if you want to buy a card, you simply declare “I buy” before drawing (either 2 from the deck or 1 from the deck + the top discard).
In the Pursuit of Peace 