31

31

is a card game that I grew up playing.

My Aunt Carolyn (Dad's youngest sister) taught us to play waaaaaay back when somewhere in my elementary school years.

Our family played for hours whenever we visited her and my Grandma Nita in Cortez, Co.

Many years later I had forgotten the exact rules of playing and card games had been replaced with board games or video games by my kids.

I'm embarrassed to say I hadn't ever taught them one card game.

My dad and mom recently came home from a visit to see my Aunt Carolyn.  Of course they had played 31 again and this time when my parents came home they taught my kids and me how to play again.

Simple concept, 31.

Everyone has three dimes.  Everyone has three cards at all times and takes turns trying to get 31 of the same suit from the draw pile of cards (or your neighbor's recent discard).  If you get 31 you just lay it down, say "31!" and everyone, but you, pays one dime. 

If you think you are pretty close to 31 and have a good high number you can knock instead of drawing a card/discard.  Once you've knocked everyone gets one more turn and the cards have to go down.

Person with the lowest number has to pay a dime.

If two players tie as the lowest after the knock, they both pay.

Simple, but really fun.

My kids are completely addicted.

Especially Miss Lizzie.

My mom even gave them pill bottles filled with dimes for Christmas.

Lizzie is a mean 31 player.

At first she needed a partner to get the concept.

All my kids needed help at the beginning because I had done such a lousy job teaching them cards.

They would call the suits; Hearts, Clover, Diamonds & Upside Down Hearts.

It took awhile for Spades and Clubs to kick in.

Now we play A LOT of 31.

Lizzie doesn't need any help at all and cracks me up with her card shark mentality.

This girl does not like to lose.

She'll say things like, "I'm going to take you down!"  She usually does.

Nate, however, struggles with card games because he is incapable of a poker face.

We have tried to explain to him that reactions give his advantage away, but he can't help himself.

He is also guilty of the stage whisper.

Example: Being paired up with Nana and making a sad face when a card was dealt...only to then whisper loud enough for everyone to hear, "Don't worry Nana, I'm bluffing!"

But he's working on it.

Pretty decent Poker Face

Eh, Veering Into Goofy Again...

Now this is a Poker Face!

This card player might be little, but she's mighty.

She would just as soon steal your money and club you when you're not looking so watch out.

You've been warned.