Russian Crazy Sevens - The Card Game
Created | Updated Jun 6, 2002
Description
Russian Crazy Sevens, despite what its name may imply, is a wholesome American card game, originating in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1998. It's loosely based on the classic games Crazy Eights and Uno, but it's substantially different.
Objective
The objective is to dispense of all of your cards. The first player to do so is the winner.
Setup
This is playable with any number of players (from 2 up). Each player is dealt seven cards. The remainder of the deck becomes the draw pile (face down). The first card of the draw pile is dealt into the discard pile (face up.) Play initailly proceeds clockwise.
Turn Procedure
Each player's turn consists of placing a card from their hand on the discard pile. They may only place a card that is a) of the same suit, b) having the same number, or c) a seven. If a player is unable to place a card on a pile, he/she draws a card and skips the remainder of their turn.
Draw Cards
Ace - If an ace is played, the next player has to draw a card and skip their turn.Two - If a two is played, the next player draws two cards and skips their turn.
Three - If a three is played, the next player draws three cards and skips their turn.
Four - If a four is played, the next player skips their turn.
Compounding
Whenever a draw card is played (one through three), the player who will be affected by it has an option. If they have another card of the same value as the card played (e.g., a two for a two), they may play it. The next player in the sequence then has the same option, or is forced to draw twice the initial value. For example: Player A plays a two of spades. Player B responds by playing the two of clubs. Player C, who is tragically two-less, must draw four cards and skip the turn. Another example: Player A plays the two of spades, B plays the two of clubs, and C plays the two of diamonds. Player D (yes, there are four players) is forced to draw six cards and skip the turn. This rule may also be used with fours, but the player who is the final target of a chain of fours is only forced to miss one turn.
Wild Cards
Sevens are wild. If a seven is played, the first player to call out a suit, even if they didn't play the seven, determines the suit of the seven. Sevens may also be played on any card, regardless of suit or value.
More Rules
One Card - If a player has one card, they are required to call out "One Card." If they don't, and another player calls them on it, they are forced to draw seven additional cards.Drawing The Last Card - If any player draws the last card of the deck, the discard pile is reshuffled into the draw pile to form a new deck. The top card is preserved from before the shuffle. That player then draws the remainder of the cards that they were required to draw, in addition to a seven-card penalty for drawing the last card.
Jacks (Variation) - Jacks, an optional rule of the game, reverse the order of play when placed in the discard pile.
Conclusion
That's how to play. Multiple-deck games are possible as a variation, but tend to run for hours. Have fun!
