Welcome to 5-Card Loo!

Hey there! I’m excited to introduce you to 5-Card Loo, a thrilling card game that will keep you on your toes. The objective of this game is to win as many tricks as possible to come out on top and claim those stakes.

Before we dive in, let’s make sure we’re all clear on what’s at stake. At the beginning of the game, players should agree on the value of each stake. It’s important to establish this upfront so everyone is on the same page.

Setting Up the Game

Now that we know what we’re playing for, let’s get the game rolling. The first dealer is chosen randomly, and after each round, the dealer role passes to the left.

In 5-Card Loo, the dealer starts things off by placing five stakes into the pot. Each player is then dealt a hand of five cards. The remaining cards are neatly stacked face-down next to the dealer. To determine the trump suit, the dealer reveals the top card from this stack.

Card Rankings

Knowing the card rankings is key to mastering 5-Card Loo. Here’s how it goes:

Aces are the highest, followed by King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2. But wait, there’s more! In 5-Card Loo, we have special trump suits that outrank the rest. The jack of spades, also known as Pam, is the crème de la crème. It beats even the mighty ace of trumps. So keep a close eye on Pam!

GAMEPLAY

Hey there! Let’s talk about the exciting world of 5-card Loo and its special hands called flushes. A flush is when you have 5 cards that are all of the same suit, or 4 cards of the same suit plus Pam. Now, let’s take a look at how different flushes are ranked.

First up, we have the flush with Pam. It’s the best one you can get! Next, we have the flush of trumps, and then we have the flush of high cards. So remember, if you have a really good flush, you’re in a great position to win the game.

But here comes the twist! Sometimes, even before the game begins, a player might declare that they have the best flush. When this happens, we say that they “looes the board”. And guess what? If this player is the one holding the best flush, they win without even having to play! How cool is that? And all the other players who don’t have Pam or a flush have to pay up.

Now, once we’ve settled any flush-related business, it’s time for some announcements. Each player at the table gets to decide whether they want to fold and sit out the rest of the game, or play and keep going. We start with the player on the left of the dealer, and go around the table from there.

Here’s where things get interesting. When you choose to play, you have the option to get rid of some of your cards and get new ones from the dealer. You can throw away as many as you want! And don’t worry, the dealer will make sure to give you new ones from the stock.

So, remember, when you play 5-card Loo, flushes are super important. They can really elevate your chances of winning. And if you happen to have the best flush, you might just walk away with the victory without even breaking a sweat. Have fun and good luck!

Once the announcements are made, the game kicks off. It all starts with the player sitting to the left of the dealer. They get to make the first move and can play any card they want. But, there’s a twist! If this player decides to lead with the ace of trumps, they can call for Pam to play along nicely. In other words, they can only play Pam if it’s their one and only trump card.

Now, let’s talk about what happens next. The other players have to follow some rules. They must always try to win the trick by playing a card of the same suit if they have one. And if they don’t, they have to play a trump card if they have any. Of course, they’ll try to win with that trump card too, if possible. But if neither is possible, they can play any card they like.

So, how do you win a trick? Simple! The player with the highest trump card takes the trick. But wait, there’s more! If there were no trumps played, then the player with the highest card of the suit led wins the trick. And here’s the fun part: the person who won the trick gets to lead the next one. And if they have any trump cards left, they have to play one of those.

The Thrill of Victory

In 5-card Loo, when I win a trick, I receive a fifth of the prize. But if I don’t win any tricks, I have to contribute a specified number of stakes to the pot after the winners are paid.

The Game Ends

We can choose to stop playing whenever we want. There’s no fixed number of rounds. It’s a good idea to take turns being the dealer so that it’s fair for everyone.

Hi! I’m Amber (They/Them), an avid gamer and writer from Austin. I like playing games, I’m really good at them, and I also have a soft spot for dogs, plants, and Dungeons & Dragons.

Hi! I’m Amber (They/Them), an enthusiastic gamer and wordsmith from Austin. I consider myself a gaming champion and have a deep love for furry friends, greenery, and the world of Dungeons & Dragons.