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The 5 Crowns card game is a popular rummy-style game played with two decks of cards, featuring five suits and wild cards that change each round. The goal when playing the game is to score the lowest points over eleven rounds by forming combinations of cards called books and runs. The 5 Crowns card game is designed for one to seven players and offers a fun, dynamic twist on classic rummy.
Equipment and Setup
5 Crowns uses two decks of 58 cards, each containing five suits: stars, hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds. Each suit has cards numbered 3 through 10, plus Jack, Queen, and King. The decks also include six jokers, which always act as wild cards throughout the whole game. Additionally, each round has rotating wild cards corresponding to the number of cards dealt in that round.
Before starting, all cards are shuffled together, just like many other card games that can be explored through online casino offers and enjoyed digitally. Each player is dealt a set number of cards depending on the round, beginning with three cards in the first round and increasing by one card each round until thirteen cards are dealt in the eleventh round. The remaining cards form the draw pile, with one card turned face-up as the discard pile.
Objective of the Game
The main objective of the 5 Crowns card game is to have the lowest total score after playing all eleven rounds. You can achieve this by creating sets of cards called books and runs. Forming these groups reduces the number of leftover cards that carry penalty points.
5 Crowns Card Game Rules
Each round starts with the dealer dealing the corresponding number of cards to each player. The wild card for that round changes according to the number of cards dealt; for example, 3s are wild in round 1, 4s in round 2, and so on, with Kings being wild in the final round.
On their turn, players may draw the top card from either the draw pile or the discard pile. After drawing, they discard one card to maintain the hand size. A player can “go out” if their entire hand can be divided into valid books and/or runs, discarding one card to end their turn.
Understanding Books and Runs
Books consist of three or more cards of the same value across any suits, for example, three 7s from different suits. Runs are sequences of three or more consecutive cards belonging to the same suit, such as 5, 6, and 7 of hearts. Wild cards, including jokers and the round’s wild number, may be used to substitute any card in these combinations.
Scoring and Winning
The scoring system in the 5 Crowns card game shares some similarity to the one used in rummy, though it is a bit more intricate. After one player goes out, the other players get one last turn to lay down cards and reduce points. Points are tallied based on cards left unused in books or runs, with the rules as follows:
- Number cards (3-10): Face value points
- Jacks: 11 points
- Queens: 12 points
- Kings: 13 points
- Jokers: 50 points
- Wild cards matching the round number: 20 points
Keeping track of scoring accurately is crucial, since the goal is to minimise points accumulated over all rounds. Players accumulate scores over eleven rounds, and the player with the lowest total wins.
Tips for Playing
While the 5 Crowns card game is straightforward to learn, winning it takes some strategy and observation. Think carefully to see if you should draw from the discard pile or the draw pile, and strategically decide when to go out. Observing opponents’ discard habits can also offer clues about useful cards in play, thereby giving you an advantage during the game. This shows how playing card games in a social setting can help improve executive control, especially in older adults.
What Sets The Game Apart
5 Crowns stands out from other rummy-style games by introducing five suits and rotating wild cards that change with each round, bringing a brand-new challenge as the game progresses. The game also has some simplified versions, such as Five Crowns Junior and solitaire adaptations, which follow similar mechanics with adjusted rules to suit different playing contexts. These versions make the 5 Crowns card game even more versatile, making it a great choice for both families and groups seeking a social card game.
