A put and take card game is a simple way to get kids involved in math. This game can be played by two players or in teams. Each player has to make a certain number of bets and the amount is determined by how much money is in the pot. The winner of the bets wins the money in the pot. In addition, the pot can also be increased or decreased by a spin of a top. This is done by adding a dollar to the pot, taking a dollar away or double it. This game requires some strategy, and the players have to be very careful about putting in too much or too little.
Cards are dealt to each player in clockwise order. The player to the dealer’s left leads. There is no trump suit, and players may play any card in a suit to win the trick. After the winning card is played, the player to the dealers left leads the next trick. Play continues in this manner until all the tricks are taken or six cards have been played. A player who takes two or more tricks earns a point.
The game was disreputable in the 17th century; Cotton describes it as “the ordinary rooking game of every place”. He devotes much of his chapter to explaining cheating methods including marking the cards and introducing cards from another pack. He also mentions a popular method of swindling, in which the non-dealer would put before playing a card to the first trick. If the victim did not put, he would then be forced to continue playing and possibly lose the entire game to his opponent.
There are a few slight differences between Cotton’s description and that of Willughby. The main difference is that Cotton allows a player to challenge an opponent by saying “I put”, and if the opponent agrees they will both continue to play for the points. This is an important strategic change in a game in which subterfuge and bluffing play such a large part.
Another significant change is that a player may choose to concede a hand at any stage of the game. This can have important tactical advantages, especially for the player putting. For example, if the non-dealer has a weak hand and does not feel like bluffing it is preferable to concede before playing a card to the first trick.
The game is easy to play and makes for a fun family activity. It also helps children develop their counting skills by creating number patterns and sequences. It can be used with other card games and can also be combined with a race to see who can build the highest tower of cards before it crashes down. The eight sided top is easily made from a piece of cardboard cut into an octagon shape and a piece of wood with one tapered end. Label the eight sides with different game actions, and this simple top is ready to be spun!
