Pens (game)
Encyclopedia
Pens is a card game
for two or more players. The players sit around a table
, and a number of pen
s (one less than the number of players) are laid with equal spacing in the center of the table, at an equal distance from each of the players. Cards are then removed from the pack such that only one group of four of a kind
per player remains. For example, if there were four players, one possible pack would be all the threes (diamonds, clubs, spades, hearts), all the kings, all the jacks and all the eights.
The pack is shuffle
d, and four cards are dealt to each player. No player may look at another player's cards. The game starts when one player says "1, 2, 3, pass." On 'pass,' each player passes any one of their cards, face down, to the player to their left. This process repeats until somebody has a hand of four cards of the same value, at which point they grab one of the pens in the middle of the table. The other players then do the same. The person left without a pen drops out, and the whole game repeats without that player. This continues until there is only one player remaining. That player wins the game.
If a player grabs a pen despite not having four of a kind, they lose the round. However, feint
ing is allowed, and if by motioning as if to grab a pen (without actually touching one) a player causes others to grab for the pens, the first to touch one loses the round.
Card game
A card game is any game using playing cards as the primary device with which the game is played, be they traditional or game-specific. Countless card games exist, including families of related games...
for two or more players. The players sit around a table
Table (furniture)
A table is a form of furniture with a flat and satisfactory horizontal upper surface used to support objects of interest, for storage, show, and/or manipulation...
, and a number of pen
Pen
A pen is a device used to apply ink to a surface, usually paper, for writing or drawing. Historically, reed pens, quill pens, and dip pens were used, with a nib of some sort to be dipped in the ink. Ruling pens allow precise adjustment of line width, and still find a few specialized uses, but...
s (one less than the number of players) are laid with equal spacing in the center of the table, at an equal distance from each of the players. Cards are then removed from the pack such that only one group of four of a kind
Four of a Kind
Four of a Kind is the debut feature film for director Fiona Cochrane. It was completed in 2008 and released in 2009.It is based on the stage play Disclosure by Helen Collins as presented at La Mama Theatre during the 2006 Melbourne Fringe Festival. It was shot on location in Melbourne,...
per player remains. For example, if there were four players, one possible pack would be all the threes (diamonds, clubs, spades, hearts), all the kings, all the jacks and all the eights.
The pack is shuffle
Shuffle
Shuffling is a procedure used to randomize a deck of playing cards to provide an element of chance in card games. Shuffling is often followed by a cut, to help ensure that the shuffler has not manipulated the outcome.-Shuffling techniques:...
d, and four cards are dealt to each player. No player may look at another player's cards. The game starts when one player says "1, 2, 3, pass." On 'pass,' each player passes any one of their cards, face down, to the player to their left. This process repeats until somebody has a hand of four cards of the same value, at which point they grab one of the pens in the middle of the table. The other players then do the same. The person left without a pen drops out, and the whole game repeats without that player. This continues until there is only one player remaining. That player wins the game.
If a player grabs a pen despite not having four of a kind, they lose the round. However, feint
Feint
Feint is a French term that entered English from the discipline of fencing. Feints are maneuvers designed to distract or mislead, done by giving the impression that a certain maneuver will take place, while in fact another, or even none, will...
ing is allowed, and if by motioning as if to grab a pen (without actually touching one) a player causes others to grab for the pens, the first to touch one loses the round.