We talk a lot about flashy video games and freshly released board games on EFG, but today I want to take a moment to share the instructions for one of my family’s absolute favorite card games.
We spend a lot of time playing Frustration as a family, especially on family vacations. We laugh. We yell. We talk a lot of trash. (Of course we do. I’m there.)
The best part? You and your family can share in a little bit of our fun without needing more than a couple decks of dollar store playing cards.
Cards Required
- 4 players – 2 standard playing card decks with 4 jokers
- 5-6 players – 3 standard playing card decks with 6 jokers
- Wild Cards – Jokers and Dueces
Rules
- Deal 11 cards to each person for each hand.
- A players turn begins by drawing the top card from the deck or the discard pile.
- The player may then “meld” if they have the appropriate cards for the step they are on
- Then they discard a card from their hand. Note: A player MUST have a discard at the end of their turn. There are no exceptions.
- If a player “melds” and completes a step they will then be playing to “Go Out.” This ends the hand.
- Each Step must be made by a player during a hand to advance to the next step. For example, if a player completes a step and then goes out and you did not, then you will remain on the same step and they will move forward.
- All 11 steps must be completed to win – if more than one player completes the 11 steps during the hand, the lowest scoring hand wins.
Steps
Book – Groups of cards of the same number. Suit does not matter.
Run – Groups of cards where the numbers are in descending or ascending order. They must be the same suit.
Note – You must have more natural cards in a book or run than Wild cards. You cannot even have the same number.
- Step 1 – 2 Books of 3 cards
- Step 2 – 2 Runs of 3 cards
- Step 3 – 1 Run of 4 cards and 1 Book of 3 cards
- Step 4 – 2 Books of 4 cards
- Step 5 – 1 Run of 5 cards and 1 Book of 3
- Step 6 – 3 Books of 3 cards
- Step 7 – 1 Run of 7 cards
- Step 8 – 1 Run of 6 cards and 1 Book of 3 cards
- Step 9 – 2 Runs of 4 cards
- Step 10 – 2 Books of 5 cards
- Step 11 – 1 Run of 9 Cards
Notes
- A wild card may be replaced in any run (but not books) with the card it represents, but only if the wild card can be used to meld in that turn.
- Additional melds of 3 cards can be player and more cards can be played on other melds after a player has completed their step meld.
What do you think? Are you going to play our family favorite? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!
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2 comments
what if there is 2 people playing is it the same rules
The rules remain the same if you play with up to 4 people.