Introduction: Thirty-One, also known as Blitz, is a popular card game played with a standard 52-card deck. The goal of the game is to be the last player remaining with the highest hand value. Thirty-One is a fun and fast-paced game that can be played with 2 or more players, making it perfect for family gatherings or game nights with friends.

Objective: The objective of Thirty-One is to obtain the highest hand value, which is 31, or the closest to it, without going over.

Gameplay: To begin, the dealer shuffles the deck and deals each player three cards face down. The remaining deck is placed in the center of the table, face down, and is the draw pile. The top card of the draw pile is turned over to start the discard pile.

Each turn, players have the option to draw the top card from the draw pile, or take the top card from the discard pile. The player then has the option to replace one card in their hand with the newly drawn card or discard it. The goal is to create a hand with the highest value possible.

Card Values: In Thirty-One, Aces are high and all face cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) have a value of 10. The remaining cards have their face value. For example, a 7 of hearts is worth 7 points.

Scoring: At the end of each round, players reveal their hands and add up the value of their three cards. If a player has three of the same card (example: 3 Jacks), they have “blitzed” and automatically win the round. The round also ends if a player has a hand value of 31 or if they choose to “knock.” If a player knocks, the other players have one more turn to try and improve their hand. Once all players have either knocked or reached a hand value of 31, the round ends, and scoring begins.

If a player has a hand value of exactly 31, they receive 30 points. If a player has three of the same card, they receive 30 points. If a player has a hand value of 31 with all cards of the same suit, they receive 30 points (also known as a blitz). Any other hand with the value of 31 receives 25 points.

If a player has a hand value higher than 31, they receive 0 points. The player with the lowest hand value also receives 0 points.

Gameplay continues until one player reaches a predetermined score, typically 500, and is declared the winner.

Special Rules: There are a few special rules to keep in mind while playing Thirty-One.

• If a player has three Aces, they automatically win the round, regardless of other players’ hands.
• If a player has three of the same face card (example: 3 Queens), they receive 30 points, just like a blitz.
• If the draw pile runs out, the discard pile is shuffled and becomes the new draw pile.
• If a player knocks and ends the round with three cards of the same suit, they receive a blitz and 30 points.

Conclusion: Thirty-One is a simple yet exciting card game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages. With a bit of luck and strategic decision making, anyone can win this game. So grab a deck of cards and gather your friends and family for a fun game of Thirty-One (Blitz)!