Macau (game)

Macau, or Makaó, is a Hungarian version of Crazy Eights, where players play a single card in sequence in a manner similar to Uno. Unlike Uno, however, Makaó is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. Makaó also involves bluffing; for example, you do not necessarily have to play a card if you wish to save it for higher points later. Cheating is encouraged in this game, and it can make for a lively evening.

Gameplay

2 or more players (up to 10) are dealt 5 cards each; the deck is then cut and the cut card becomes the first card in the discard pile. Play starts to the dealer's right.

The next card played must be a of the same suit or same value as the card on the top of the discard pile. For example, if a 7 of spades was on the top of the discard pile, you can play a 9 of spades or a 7 of clubs. Alternatively, an Ace or Joker can be player. If you cannot play a card, you must draw from the deck.

Cards can be played in runs, for example, 5 of Spades, 6 of Spades, 7 of Spades, 7 of Hearts, 8 of Hearts, 8 of Clubs, 7 of Clubs.

When an action card is played, the player next in sequence must complete the action or add to it to pass in onto the next player in sequence.

When down to a single card, a player must say "Macau!". If an opponent calls Macau before the player, the player must draw a card. The winner of the game is the first person to have no cards; in instances of more than 2 players, game play continues until only one player is left with cards.

If a player is out, but an action

Action CardsIf a 2 is played, the next player in sequence must pick up 2 cards unless they have a 2, in which case they can add this to the original 2 and the next player in sequence must pick up 4 cards and so on.If a 3 is played, the next player in sequence must pick up 3 cards unless they have a 3, in which case they can add this to the original 3 and the next player in sequence must pick up 6 cards and so on.If a 4 is played, the next player in sequence must miss a go, unless they have a 4, in which case they can add this to the original 4 and the next player in sequence miss 2 goes.If a Jack is played, the player placing the Jack can call for a non-action card value (which they must hold - if they do not hold the value they are calling, they must call for 'any non-action card', the player in sequence must either play the card value called or place another Jack down and call a different value.If a King of Spades is played, the previous player in sequence must pick up 5 cards, unless they have a King of spades or hearts, in which case they can add this to the original King and the next player in sequence must pick up 10 cards.If a King of Hearts is played, the next player in sequence must pick up 5 cards, unless they have a King of spades or hearts, in which case they can add this to the original King and the next player in sequence must pick up 10 cards.If a Joker is played, the sequence is reversed (i.e. clockwise play becomes anti-clockwise)If an Ace is played, the player playing the Ace must call a suit different what it is in play. They must hold a card of the suit they are calling, if not, they must call 'free suit' and the next player in sequence can play any suit other than that already in play.

Multiples action cards can be played, for example Player 1 can play three 2s and the next player in sequence must pick up 6 cards unless they have another 2 (or any suit) - This is the same for 3's, 4's and Kings.

ee also

*Crazy Eights