Spite & Malice (Cards)
The Spite and Malice group is fairly small, as we meet in the Group Leader’s house, but as two, three, or four people can play together, the group can grow to accommodate as many as want to join, playing as a game of two people, with another of three, if five turn up ( if you see what I mean?)
We meet at my house in Shaftesbury on the third Thursday of the month, at 2pm. We are currently welcoming new members most months. This works, as members are often away on holiday, or have visitors, and members can play in different configurations. The atmosphere is full of laughter, and it is a good way to meet new people.
These are the rules, but don’t be put off if they sound complicated … it’s not a serious game ( though it can be deadly!).
Spite and Malice Rules
This is a card game for 2, 3, and even 4 players, which offers infinite variety, depending on the fall of the cards, and the skill (and malice) of the players.
All that is required for play is packs of cards equalling the number of players.
26 cards are dealt to each player (their goal pile) and the object of the game is to move all the cards from your own pile, either by putting them onto the playing piles, or, more maliciously, onto an opponent’s pile, which then makes his pile harder to ‘get rid of’.
The person to the left of the dealer begins play by picking up 5 cards from the common draw pile. If there is an Ace in the hand it must be played, (but see below).
Kings count as ‘anything’ but cannot be played one on top of another.
After a player has completed his ‘go’ a card must be placed in front of him/her on one of four piles – his ‘bank’. This signals that his/her turn is over.
The next player picks up cards from the common draw pile to make five in his hand, and commences play. Again, when his turn is over, a card must be put down. It is the skill in placing these cards so they are available for play when needed (rather than blocked by cards placed later) which often determines success or failure.
Neither Kings nor Aces may be put into the ‘Bank’. This means that a card must be retained to put down at the end of your go, or, if you are able to play all five cards in your hand, you may pick up five more cards.
Another arbitrary decision we have made as a family is how many playing piles can be set up. With two players, five is the maximum. With three players, seven is the maximum, as with four players. The effect of this is that you may not be able to immediately play an Ace if it is in your hand or is turned up on your pile. You cannot lay an Ace onto your Bank piles, nor a King! This can be problematic, and certainly stops Aces and Kings from being unalloyed blessings.
If this group is of interest to you please contact the Group Leader via an e-mail message, by clicking on the "Blue Pigeon" icon. This will be in the top right hand corner of this page if you are viewing this on a computer, if you are viewing this website on a tablet or phone then the icon will be at the bottom of the page.