How to play Thirty-One

Objective

Avoid having the lowest same-suit total when a player knocks.

Setup

1. 1

   Deal three cards each and place the rest as stock with one discard face up.

2. 2

   Give each player equal lives or tokens if playing elimination style.

How play works

1. 1

   Draw from stock or discard pile, then discard one card.

2. 2

   A player may knock instead of drawing when satisfied. Others receive one final turn.

3. 3

   A natural 31 may end the hand immediately under common rules.

Scoring and winning

1. 1

   Aces count 11, faces 10, and number cards face value, but count only one suit.

2. 2

   Lowest total loses a life; last player with a life wins.

Rules to settle before play

1. 1

   Three of a kind is often valued as 30½ regardless of suit.

2. 2

   Confirm whether ties cost all tied players or only the knocker.