31 is an easy-to-learn group card game that can be enjoyed by two or more players.
Get the value of your cards close to 31 to avoid losing a life.
Find the video tutorial and written explanation below for how to play 31.
31 Tutorial
Needed
Two or more players; A standard 52-card deck; three objects per player (i.e. poker chips)
Deal
Each player is dealt three cards, one card at a time.
The remaining deck of cards is placed in the middle of the playing area.
The top card of the remaining deck is flipped over to start the discard pile.
Objective of 31
The objective of the game is to get the value of the cards in your hand closer to 31 than at least one other player.
The player furthest from 31 when the round ends loses a life. Each player will start with three lives.
Card Value
Ace: 11
Jack/Queen/King: 10
2-10: Face Value
Card values can only be added together if the cards are in the same suit.
However, three of a kind in any card rank has a value of 30.
Game Play
The player left of the dealer is first to play. They can choose the top card from the draw deck or the top card of the discard pile.
Once a player draws a card, the play selects a card to be placed on top of the discard pile.
Play moves clockwise with players drawing and discarding to try to improve the value of the cards in their hands.
When a player is comfortable with the value of their hand, they can knock.
When knocking, a player does not draw a card. The knock takes the place of drawing a card for that turn.
After a knock, the other players get one more turn to draw a card.
After the last player has played, all players show their cards.
The player with the lowest hand value loses a life. The winner of the game is the last player still with a life.
Game Rules
If a player has a hand value of 31, the cards are immediately shown and every other player loses a life.
If the player that knocks ends up with the lowest hand value, they lose two lives.
If the player that knocks and another player tie for the lowest hand value, only the player that did not knock loses a life as they had another turn to improve their hand.
If two or more players (that did not knock) tie for the lowest hand value, both players lose a life.
After a player loses a third life, the player is still in the game. Once a player loses a life with no object left, that player is out of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the objective of the card game 31?
The objective of the game 31 is to have a hand with a total value as close to 31 as possible while outscoring your opponents.
Players aim to collect a hand with cards of the same suit or rank that adds up to 31 or as close as possible to 31.
2. How are the card values determined in 31?
In 31, the cards are valued as follows:
Face cards (King, Queen, and Jack): 10 points each.
Number cards (2-10): Face value (e.g., 2 is worth 2 points, 3 is worth 3 points, and so on).
Ace: 11 points.
3. Can you play 31 with more than four players?
Yes, you can play 31 with more than four players, but it's typically more enjoyable with a smaller group.
If you have more players, consider using multiple decks of cards.
4. How many cards do you get in 31?
In the game 31, each player is initially dealt three cards.
The objective is to use these three cards to try to reach a total of 31 points or as close as possible to it.