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Table of Contents
Nap is a classic trick-taking card game that’s easy to learn and perfect for groups of 3 to 7 players. The goal? Bid strategically, win tricks, and collect stakes. Ready to dive in? Let’s break it down step by step.
Setting Up the Game
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Here’s how to get started:
- Choose a Dealer: Pick someone to deal first. They shuffle the deck and deal 5 cards to each player, going clockwise.
- Pass the Deal: After each round, the role of the dealer moves to the left.
- Shuffling Rules: Shuffle the deck before the first round. After that? Only reshuffle if someone bids “Nap.” Otherwise, gather the cards, cut them, and redeal.
What Deck Do You Need?
You can use a standard 52-card deck ranked from Ace (high) to 2 (low). Or, try these smaller decks for a twist:
- 24 cards (Ace to 9)
- 28 cards (Ace to 8)
- 32 cards (Ace to 7)
Pro Tip: Smaller decks make for faster games!
How Bidding Works
Once everyone has their cards, it’s time to bid. This is where the excitement starts.
Order of Play: The player to the dealer’s left begins. Bidding then goes clockwise.
Bidding Options:
- 3: Aim to win at least 3 tricks.
- 4: Shoot for at least 4 tricks.
- Nap: Go big—win all 5 tricks.
- Wellington: Feeling daring? Bid Wellington. You must win all 5 tricks for a higher payout.
- Passing: Don’t like your cards? Pass. But once you pass, you can’t bid again this round.
- Winning the Bid: The highest bidder plays solo against everyone else.
What if everyone passes? Simple. Redeal the cards.
How to Play Each Round
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Here’s where the fun really begins.
- Lead the First Trick: The winning bidder starts by playing any card. This sets the trump suit for the round.
- Follow Suit: If possible, play a card from the same suit. Can’t? Play any card you like.
Win Tricks:
The highest trump card wins the trick.
If no trump cards are played, the highest card in the leading suit wins.
Score Pile: The winner of each trick collects the cards and leads the next one.
Scoring and Payouts
At the end of the round, payouts depend on the bidder’s success:
- Bid of 3: Win 3 stakes.
- Bid of 4: Win 4 stakes.
- Nap: Win 5 stakes.
- Wellington: Win 10 stakes.
But what if you lose? You’ll pay the stakes to each opponent. Ouch.
Tips and Strategies
Want to win Nap like a pro? Try these tips:
- Start Small: If you’re a beginner, bid low (3 or 4) until you’re more confident.
- Read Your Hand: Got strong cards in one suit? Or plenty of trumps? Go for a higher bid.
- Bluff Wisely: Passing can trick opponents, but overbidding? Risky.
- Team Up: If you’re not the bidder, play smart to block them from winning tricks.
Why Nap Is Perfect for Any Occasion
Nap is simple, strategic, and seriously fun. Whether it’s a party, family game night, or a chill hangout, this game fits right in. The best part? Its easy-to-learn rules make it accessible for everyone, from beginners to seasoned card sharks.
Also Read: Crash Games: How SPRIBE And David Natroshvili Changed The Game
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