Zetema – learn how to play with

By: Dennis B. B. Taylor

Welcome to the world of Zetema!

Zetema is a game that dates back to 1871, but don’t worry, it has evolved and become even more exciting over time. This game has its roots in the Victorian era, which adds a touch of old-world charm to the experience. But don’t be fooled, it’s not as complicated as it may seem. Zetema only takes a strategic mind to master.

The goal of Zetema is straightforward. In a 2-3 player game, you need to score 300 points. And in a 4-6 player game, the target is 200 points. To achieve this, you’ll have to play cards with specific suits and numbers to earn those precious points. The rules for scoring are explained in the next section.

Whether you decide to play with partners or solo, the excitement remains the same. If you choose to play in partnerships, each partner will have their own set of cards, but the points earned will be combined into a single score. This adds an extra layer of teamwork and strategy to the game.

SETUP

So, here’s the deal. To get Zetema going, we gotta make a few changes to a regular old 52-card deck. It’s not too complicated, I promise. All you need is an extra deck of cards and you’ll be set.

Now, grab that second deck and take out a whole set of cards. Most folks go with spades, but you can choose any one you like. You’re gonna add those 13 cards to the original 52-card deck. Boom! Just like that, you’ve got yourself a modified 65-card deck ready to roll.

Once your deck is good to go, give it a nice shuffle. Seriously, mix those cards up good. Now, it’s time to deal out some hands. If you’re playing with 2 to 5 people, each person gets 6 cards. But if you’ve got 6 players, each hand gets slimmed down to 5 cards. Deal ’em out randomly, one card at a time, until everyone has their hand filled up. Any leftover cards go in a draw pile nearby. You never know when you might need ’em!

When the game begins, there won’t be any cards in it. However, there should be a specific area called the tableau. The tableau consists of 13 piles, one for each type of card, and all the cards that are discarded there should be arranged in a way that all of them can be seen.

How to Play

Playing Zetema is incredibly easy. On each player’s turn, you will need to follow three simple steps in order. First, you will draw enough cards to reach the required number in your hand. Then, you have the choice to play a meld or combination of cards to earn points, but it’s not mandatory. Finally, you will have to discard one card onto the tableau. If you played a hand of cards, you will discard one card from that hand. This sequence will continue until either the draw pile is empty or the game ends.

Playing and Scoring

In Zetema, there are different ways to play and earn points. These include combinations of hands, assemblies of cards, and marriages of cards. We also have something called Zetemas which I’ll explain later on. Each play has a certain number of points associated with it. Here are some tables to show you how many points each play type is worth.

Combinations of Cards

I want to talk to you about playing cards, specifically the different combinations you can make with them. The game we’ll be talking about is called “Name of Play”. To play this game, you’ll need a deck of cards.

Let’s start with the different combinations and the points they’re worth. The first combination is called “Marriage”. It’s when you have a king and queen of the same suit. When you make a marriage, it’s important to note that the point value depends on the specific rules of the game.

Next is the “Flush”. A flush is when you have six (or five) cards of the same suit. This combination is worth 30 points.

After that, we have the “Sequence”. A sequence is when you have six (or five) cards in numerical order. For example, you could have the numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. This combination is worth 10 points.

A more challenging combination is the “Flush Sequence”. This is when you have six (or five) cards of the same suit, and they are also in numerical order. This combination is worth 50 points.

Lastly, we have the “Assembly”. An assembly is when you have five cards of the same rank. Once again, the point value will depend on the specific rules of the game.

When you play a combination of cards, you will show your hand to your opponents and write down your score. After that, you will discard one of the cards played into the tableau. It’s important to note that special rules apply for marriages, so make sure to familiarize yourself with those.

Now that you know the different combinations and their point values, you’re ready to start playing “Name of Play”. Have fun and may luck be on your side!

I bet you’re curious about the different point values for each type of card in a game. Well, let me enlighten you!

When it comes to assembly type, there’s a range of point values for each card. For Kings and Queens, you’ll score a solid 130 points. Jacks are worth slightly less at 120 points. Aces and 5s will get you 110 points, while all other card ranks have a value of 100 points.

Now, let’s talk about marriages of cards. The number of marriages achieved will determine the point value. If you manage to achieve one marriage, you’ll earn 10 points. Two marriages will get you 30 points, and three marriages will give you 60 points. If you reach the impressive feat of four marriages, you’ll be rewarded with a hundred points. And finally, if you somehow manage to achieve five marriages, you’ll score a whopping 150 points!

So, as you can see, the point values for different card types and marriages can really add up. Keep these values in mind and strategize wisely to maximize your score. Happy gaming!

To get points on the chart above, you need to announce marriages right away. You must have at least one card in your hand that you can use to create a marriage. The rest of the cards can come from the tableau. If you announce a second marriage of the same suit, you get an extra 10 points. We’ve already included this in the chart for 5 marriages. When you announce marriages, you show the cards from your hand to your opponents and also announce the cards from the tableau. Then, all cards are moved to a special pile for marriages that is separate from the tableau.

Zetemas

When you discard a card during your turn and it’s the fifth card of its rank, you score a Zetema. After a Zetema is scored, the cards are taken from the tableau and turned face-down. You can no longer use them in your hand.

When the draw pile is empty, the game keeps going, but with a twist. You can’t draw cards at the start of your turn anymore. Instead, you have to discard cards onto the tableau to score Zetemas. In a game with two players, if you score a Zetema, you also have to discard another card. This continues until the discarded card doesn’t complete a Zetema. Once the targeted score is reached, the game ends right away.

The game comes to an end as soon as the required score is reached, even if it happens in the middle of a hand. The winner is the person or group that reaches the score first.

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