CLOCKWORK SPADES
Hey there! I want to tell you about this awesome matching game called Clockwork Spades. It was created by the talented Jamie Masculine. In this game, I’m trying to get rid of as many cards as possible by matching them with the layout. But here’s the catch: I need to be careful and avoid capturing Spades because each one is a penalty point. It’s a simple game that’s a lot like Clock Solitaire.
THE CARDS & THE DEAL
Okay, to set up for Clockwork Spades, I first separate all of the Spades from the deck. Then, I use them to create a clock layout. I put the Ace in the 1 position, the 2 in the 2 position, and so on, with the Queen sitting at the 12 o’clock position. Oh, and the King of Spades gets a special spot right in the center. Looks pretty cool, right?
Once I’ve got that all set up, I shuffle the deck, deal three cards to each player, and place it face down on the King of Spades. I’m ready to start playing!
THE PLAY
THE FIRST TURN
When playing the game, I need to place a card on the Ace, 2, or 3. To do this, I can use any cards from my hand that have the same rank. If I have any Aces, 2’s, or 3’s, I have to play them on their corresponding positions on the clock. But what if I don’t have any matching cards? Well, I have to pick up one of the Spade cards from the clock face. This will leave that position blank. Luckily, I have the freedom to choose any of the three cards.
However, there’s a consequence for not being able to match any Aces, 2’s, or 3’s. I have to collect that Spade card and place it in a separate pile as a penalty. At the end of my turn, if I have less than three cards in my hand, I have to draw cards to bring my total back up to three. And here’s an interesting twist – if I draw a King or start the game with one, I have to give it to my opponent right away and draw another card.
Now, let’s talk about the second turn.
Hey there! It’s your turn, Player 2, and I have some instructions for you. Are you ready?
To keep the game going, you need to play cards that match the numbers 4, 5, and 6 on the clock. Here’s what you do: play cards with numbers that match the ones on the clock, or pick up a Spade card as a penalty. And if you need more cards to play, just draw some from the deck.
Let’s keep playing!
Now, on your turn, you have to play cards to the next three spaces on the clock. But here’s the catch – if there’s a missing Spade card on the clock, you skip that space. For example, let’s say the clock has numbers Ace, 2, and 3, but the 2 is missing. In that case, you need to play your cards on the Ace, 3, and 4 instead. As the game goes on, more Spade cards will be missing from the clock.
Oh, and one more thing! If you have any cards that would be played on a missing Spade card at the start of your turn, don’t worry about them. Just discard them right away and draw some new cards to replace them.
When I take a Spade from the clock and there are cards on top of it, I get to keep the Spade card, but the other cards are thrown away.
Playing the game continues until one of us wins.
ENDING THE GAME
There are two ways the game can end. First, if the draw pile runs out and a player draws the King of Spades. They win the game if they already have all four Kings. Second, the game ends when all the Spade cards are taken from the clock. In this situation, the player with fewer Spade cards wins the game.
There are two ways the game can end. First, if the draw pile runs out and a player draws the King of Spades. They win the game if they already have all four Kings. Second, the game ends when all the Spade cards are taken from the clock. In this situation, the player with fewer Spade cards wins the game.