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Everything You Need to Know About Donkey Card Games: Rules, Setup, and How to Play
Donkey is a fast-paced, entertaining card game for children, invented by George Parker. The game is typically played using a Rook deck, but you can also play it with a standard 52-card deck if you don’t have the specialized cards.
How to Play Donkey Game in Cards?
The gameplay is very similar to the classic game Spoons, where players race to collect a set of four cards of the same rank. Players must pass cards quickly around the table, aiming to be the first to collect four of a kind.
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The Setup:
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The game is played with a 56-card Rook deck. If you’re using a standard 52-card deck, you can leave out the jokers, as they are not used in the game.
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Shuffle the deck and deal all the cards one at a time to each player.
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It’s fine if some players end up with one card more than others; this doesn’t affect the game.
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How to Play:
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Players sit in a circle and pick one card from their hand to pass face down to the player on their left.
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Simultaneously, they receive a card from the player on their right.
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You cannot pass another card until you’ve picked up the card you received.
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The objective is to collect four cards of the same rank, such as four 7s, four Kings, etc.
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What Happens When You Get Four of a Kind?
Once a player collects four cards of the same rank, they place their cards face down on the table and quietly put their hands under the table.
Other players, noticing this, must also place their cards down and follow suit by putting their hands under the table. The last player to notice and place their cards down must stand up and run around the table while shouting “Hee-Haw!” like a donkey.
This is where the game gets its name – Donkey!
What is the Goal of the Donkey Card Game?
The goal of the Donkey Card Game is simple: to be the first player to collect four cards of the same rank.
How Many Cards Are in Donkey?
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The game uses a 56-card Rook deck, which is the standard. If you are using a standard 52-card deck, you can omit the jokers, as they are not needed.
How Many Players Are in the Donkey Card Game?
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Donkey can be played by 3 or more players, making it an ideal game for small to medium-sized groups. The more players, the more chaotic and fun the game becomes!
What Is the Other Name of Donkey Card Game?
Donkey is sometimes referred to as the “Donkey Race” or “Hee-Haw Game” because of the silly and fast-paced nature of the gameplay, especially when players have to “run around the table” like a donkey.
What Is the Origin of the Donkey Game?
The origin of Donkey is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have been invented by George Parker in the early 20th century. The game has become popular among children due to its simplicity, quick pace, and the hilarity of the “donkey run” when a player is last to notice.
Is Donkey a Fast-Paced Card Game?
Yes! Donkey is indeed a fast-paced card game that requires quick thinking, fast reflexes, and good observation. The game’s speed comes from the constant passing of cards and the need to stay alert for when someone gets four of a kind. The excitement peaks when the last player has to run around the table shouting “Hee-Haw!”
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