As the page explains, “ Since players cannot adjust their bids based on the other players’ bids, the total tricks bid can be wildly different from the tricks available – for example it is not uncommon for three or four players to bid “one” when only one card was dealt“. In my own words: to bid, everyone bounces their knuckles on the table together … once … twice … and then on the third beat everyone sticks out a number of fingers representing the number of tricks they intend to win (possibly zero). On the page, it is described under Variations: Bidding. Card game books published in other countries rarely mention it, which is unfortunate because in my opinion the Australian way is indispensible and to be recommended no matter where you are. In Australia, Oh Hell is almost invariably played with simultaneous bidding, a variation which may be unfamiliar to foreign readers.

In today’s post I’ll discuss some more favourites, all of which can generally be found in good card game books (though names and details will differ). When I’ve talked about card games played in my family ( Donkey Ups and Downs), I’ve done so in the past tense, as I don’t live with my family now and card games are rarely on the agenda when I visit.