Around the world (card game)

Around the World is a card game that is both simple and entertaining, often played for fun rather than competitive purposes. This game, which can be played by any number of players, involves guessing the properties of cards drawn from a standard deck.

Gameplay

The game starts with the dealer shuffling the deck and placing it face down. The player to the dealer's left begins, and the game moves in a clockwise direction. The objective is to predict the suit, color, or value of the next card to be drawn. The specific rules or stages can vary, but a common version involves four rounds of guessing:

1. Whether the next card will be higher or lower than the base card.
2. Guessing the color of the next card (red or black).
3. Predicting whether the next card will be in between or outside the values of the first two cards drawn.
4. Guessing the suit of the next card.

If a player guesses incorrectly at any point, they typically take a drink in a version adapted for drinking games, and the turn moves to the next player. The game continues until the deck is exhausted or players decide to stop.

Variations

There are many variations of Around the World, with some involving different sequences of guesses or additional rules to increase the difficulty. For example, some versions require players to guess the exact number of the next card, significantly increasing the challenge. Other variations include penalties for incorrect guesses beyond drinking, such as drawing additional cards from the deck.

Strategy

While largely a game of chance, players can employ minimal strategy by paying attention to the cards that have already been played, especially in variations where the deck is not reshuffled. This can give an indication of the probabilities of certain cards being drawn. However, the nature of the game means that luck plays a far more significant role than skill.

Social and Cultural Impact

Around the World is popular as a casual, social game, often played at parties or gatherings. Its simplicity makes it accessible to players of all ages and backgrounds, though the drinking game version is, of course, suited for adults. The game fosters interaction and can serve as an icebreaker or a way to enliven a social event.

See Also

• Card games
• Drinking games
• List of card games