Rules
Object
The aim is to get rid of all your cards as soon as possible. The last player left with cards is the AHole.
Players and Cards
AHole supports 4 to 7 players using a standard 52 card pack. The suits are irrelevant and the cards rank, from high to low: 2 A K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3.
Deal
The game is played clockwise. On the first deal all the cards are dealt out. Some players may have one more than others. On subsequent hands the President is given two extra cards and the Vice-president one, the deal then proceeds normally.
Play
The player to dealer's left starts by leading any single card or any set of cards of equal rank (for example three fives). Each player in turn must then either pass (i.e. not play any cards), or play a card or set of cards which beats the previous play.
A single card is beaten by any higher single card. A set of cards can only be beaten by a higher set containing the same number of cards. So for example if the previous player played two sixes you can beat this with two kings, or two sevens, but not with a single king, and not with three sevens (though you could play two of them and hang onto the third). The exception to this rule is with twos. You may play one less two than on the previous play. An example would be if the previous player played three nines, this can be beaten with two twos.
It is not necessary to beat the previous play just because you can - passing is always allowed. Also passing does not prevent you from playing the next time your turn comes round.
Normally, play continues as many times around the table as necessary until someone makes a play which everyone else passes, if the Once Around Only option is selected each player will only get one chance to pass (see Game Settings for more details). All the cards played are then turned face down and put to one side, and the player who played last (and highest) to the previous "trick" starts again by leading any card or set of equal cards.
For example the play might go like this:
C then starts again by leading any card or set.
When a player whose turn it is to play has no more cards left, the turn passes to the next player in rotation. Therefore in the example, if the two was C's last card, it would then be D's turn to play anything.
A single card is beaten by any higher single card. A set of cards can only be beaten by a higher set containing the same number of cards. So for example if the previous player played two sixes you can beat this with two kings, or two sevens, but not with a single king, and not with three sevens (though you could play two of them and hang onto the third). The exception to this rule is with twos. You may play one less two than on the previous play. An example would be if the previous player played three nines, this can be beaten with two twos.
It is not necessary to beat the previous play just because you can - passing is always allowed. Also passing does not prevent you from playing the next time your turn comes round.
Normally, play continues as many times around the table as necessary until someone makes a play which everyone else passes, if the Once Around Only option is selected each player will only get one chance to pass (see Game Settings for more details). All the cards played are then turned face down and put to one side, and the player who played last (and highest) to the previous "trick" starts again by leading any card or set of equal cards.
For example the play might go like this:
| A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | Pass | Pass | 66 | 99 |
| JJ | Pass | Pass | Pass | KK |
| Pass | Pass | 2 | Pass | Pass |
| Pass | Pass |
When a player whose turn it is to play has no more cards left, the turn passes to the next player in rotation. Therefore in the example, if the two was C's last card, it would then be D's turn to play anything.
Social Status
The first player who is out of cards is awarded the highest social rank - this is President - the next is Vice-President, and so on down. The last player to be left with any cards is the AHole.
The players get points depending on their position: 2 for the President, 1 for the Vice President and nothing for the others (or -1 for Vice-AHole and -2 for AHole, if you have that variation turned on)
The President then leads any card or set of cards and the game continues as before (The AHole leads if the 'AHole Leads' option is turned on in the preferences).
The players get points depending on their position: 2 for the President, 1 for the Vice President and nothing for the others (or -1 for Vice-AHole and -2 for AHole, if you have that variation turned on)
The President then leads any card or set of cards and the game continues as before (The AHole leads if the 'AHole Leads' option is turned on in the preferences).
End of Game
Set a winning score in the Game Settings and the game ends when a player reaches that score.
If two players reach the winning score at the same time, the player who became President is declared the winner.
If two players reach the winning score at the same time, the player who became President is declared the winner.