31 card game (Scat)

How to play 31

31, also known as Scat, Blitz or Ride the Bus, is a fast draw-and-discard game for two to eight players. Each player tries to hold three cards of one suit that add up as close to 31 as possible.

Card values

• Ace: 11 points
• King, Queen, Jack and 10: 10 points
• 2 to 9: face value

Only cards of the same suit count together. A hand of A♠ K♠ 5♥ is worth 21 (the spades), not 26.

Playing

1. Everyone gets three cards and three lives. One card is turned up to start the discard pile.
2. On your turn, take the top card of the deck or the discard pile, then discard one card. You always hold three cards at the end of your turn.
3. Instead of drawing, you may knock if you think your hand is good enough. Each other player gets one more turn, then all hands are shown.
4. If anyone gets exactly 31, they show it right away and the round ends.

Losing lives

• After a knock, the player with the lowest hand loses a life.
• If the knocker has the lowest hand alone, the knocker loses two lives.
• If someone hits 31, every other player loses a life.

When you lose your last life you're out. The last player standing wins.

Tips

• Commit to a suit early. Two high cards in one suit are worth more than three scattered high cards.
• Knock early with 27 or more. Opponents have few turns to catch up.
• Watch what others pick up. If a player takes hearts from the discard pile, stop throwing hearts.