Jack change it

Infobox_Game
subject_name=Jack Change It
image_link=
image_caption=The game of "Jack Change It".
players=2-6
ages=5 +
setup_time= 30 seconds
playing_time= 5-15 minutes
complexity=Low
strategy=Medium
random_chance=Medium
skills= Strategy|

Jack Change It, is a simple card game popular among children. It is usually played by two to six players, although theoretically it can be played with up to ten.

Basic game

Using a standard 52 card deck, seven cards are dealt to each player, and the remaining card pack is placed between the players, with the top card turned face up beside the deck, often called the 'Pile'. The object of the game is to play all your cards before your opponent(s), and the winner is the player with no cards left.

The player to the left of the dealer plays first, choosing a card that matches either the suit or the rank of the card on the pile. If the player cannot play a card on this turn, then they fish a card from the deck. In any one go, the player may play multiple cards of the same rank, as long as the cards match the rank of the card on top of the pile, or the first card matches the suit of the top pile card, however a player may not play multiple cards on their final go. Also, a player can play a trick card on any go, expect on their final go, where if they have one card remaining and it is a trick card, then the player will have to fish from the deck.

Trick Cards

A player cannot finish on any of the cards listed below, except in the case of queens which can be used to finish when only two players are participating, and the five of hearts, which can be used to finish in all games.

Ace Of Hearts

This is regarded as the most powerful card available in the game. The player immediately on their left will have to pick up five cards from the deck unless the player can produce the five of hearts, to which the move is "blocked" and play continues with the next player on the left.

2s

All twos in the deck that are played results in the player on the left having to fish two cards for every two played, unless the player can produce another two, resulting in the player to their left fishing two cards for every two played, from the deck. This can result in any one player fishing up to eight cards in total.

8s

When an eight is played, the player misses one go for every eight played, unless the player can produce another eight, in which next to them misses a go for every eight played by the second person. For example, player X places three 8s on the pile, and player Y places the remaining eight on the pile, then player Z will miss only one "round".

Jacks

When a jack is played, a player can switch play to any suit the player wishes. The jack is regarded as the most powerful rank in the game. For example, if the player holds QH, 6H, JD, the player can play the card, saying "Jack Change It to 'Hearts'" and the next player plays on using cards of a heart suit only.

Queens

The queens can only be used when three or more players are participating. When a queen is played, the play is "reversed" and the player to the immediate right will take the next go, and play continues in this fashion until another queen is played.

Other

When there are no more cards in the deck, the top pile card is removed and placed to the side, and the remaining cards are shuffled and placed face down, and the game resumes.

Variations

The game can be played in a number of different ways, such as:
*The 8s can carry, eg. if a player places two 8s on the pile, and the next player places another 8 on the pile to block this, then the third player will miss 3 goes instead of one.
*The number of starting cards can vary, usually an odd number such as 5, 7, or 9, and each with a specific reason for doing this. Using 5 cards allows more players, and 9 cards allows 2-3 players a longer game.

trategy

Players should hold onto the trick cards until needed, because if used early, the opponent can tell if the player has any trick cards to block any moves.