Golf Card Game Rules

Introduction to Golf Card Game

Golf the card game simply requires standard playing cards and can be played with just two people, or with a large group of people, which makes it a great game for any occasion – family night, date night or with a group of friends.

Just like in golf, the goal of golf the card game is to score the lowest number of points as possible. Also like the game of golf, you typically play 9 or 18 rounds and then calculate the total amount of points. Each player has a grid of cards that are face down, and can be replaced throughout the hand. The player with the lowest number of points at the end of all the rounds is the winner.

The card game has also been called Polish Polka, Polish Poker, Turtle, Hara Kiri or Crazy Nines. Below we will describe more about the different variations and layouts you can play with in Golf the card game.

Four-Card Golf Game

Players, Cards, and Dealing in Four-Card Golf

Players: As long as there are at least two players, there is no maximum number of players that can play the four-card version of golf.

Cards: You only need one standard deck of cards, but if you are playing with a larger group of people, then it is recommended to use two decks of cards.

Dealing: To begin each round, the dealer deals each player four cards, which are arranged face down in a square. The leftover cards are placed face-down in the middle of the table, and the top card is placed face up to begin the discard pile.

The Play in Four-Card Golf

After the four cards are dealt to each player and before the round beings, players can look at the two cards in their grid that are closest to them. Players should not show these cards to anyone else. These cards cannot be looked at again throughout the round, so it is important to remember them. The players must not look at the top two cards of the grid. Then, the playing begins! The player to the dealer’s left goes first and then the sequence of play continues clockwise.

When it’s your turn, there are three possible actions to take. They are as follows:

Draw the top card of the face-down card deck in the centre.

After you draw a card, you can replace one of your four cards within your layout with that card. However, you can not look at any of the cards within your grid before deciding to switch any of them out with the card that you just drew from the deck.

When you are replacing a card in your grid, you place the card you just picked up face-down and place the replaced card face-up in the centre discard pile.

If you draw a card from the pile and decide that you do not want to use it to replace any of the cards in your grid, you simply place it in the discard pile, and the next player begins their turn.

Take the card on the top of the discard pile.

You have the option to use the top card of the discard pile to replace any of the cards in your four-card grid. However, unlike when you draw from the deck, you must replace one of your cards when you take a card from the top of the discard pile. You cannot put the card back on the top of the discard pile and leave the play as it was.

‘Knock’ to notify the other players that you are ending the round.

Before going through the entire deck in the middle, a player can choose to ‘knock’ to end the round early. This is a great strategy if you feel you have a low enough score, and there is a higher chance that the other players have high points in their grid, since they have had less chances to replace their cards.

If you knock, that is the end of your turn, but each of the other players get one more turn. Then the round ends and scoring begins.

Remember that you cannot look at any of the cards in your grid during the round. If you do, that card must be replaced with the card you drew from the stock pile or the discard pile.

Scoring in Four-Card Golf

After a player knocks, or after you have gone through the entire stock pile in the centre, the round ends.

To score, each player flips the four cards in the grid over. The values of each card are:

Ace = 1 point
Each number card is worth its face value (Two = 2 points, Three = 3 points, etc.)
Jack and Queen = 10 points
King = 0 points

Four Kings is the best possible grid, as it is a total of zero points. The player with the lowest score at the end of all the 9 or 18 rounds is declared the winner.

Golf with Power Cards

When playing golf with four cards, some cards can be designated as ‘power cards’. Play unfolds as normal according to the standard rules of four-card golf, but if one of the designated power cards is drawn from the middle stock pile, it can be played as a normal card or with its special power. Once a power card has been placed in the discard pile, it loses its power.

There are many different variations of four card golf with power cards. These games have been called Cabo, Cumbia, Pablo, Dacz and Cactus.

Some examples of power card variations of four-card golf are:

Jack = allows you to look at one of your own cards.
Queen = look at one card of another player’s grid.
King = swap one of your cards with one of an opponent’s card without looking at either one.
Joker = requires one opponent to shuffle their four cards and rearrange them so they do not know which card is which anymore.

Six-Card Golf Game

Players, Cards, and Dealing in Six-Card Golf

Players: A minimum of 2 players are required, and there is no maximum number of players.

Cards: If 2-4 people are playing, a standard 52-card deck should be used. With 4-8 players, two standard decks should be used. With more than 8 players, three standard 52-card decks are needed.

Dealing: Six cards are dealt to each player, one at a time. The cards are arranged in a rectangle face down. The remaining cards are placed face-down in the centre as a stock pile, and the top card is turned face up to begin the discard pile.

The Play in Six-Card Golf

The aim of six-card golf is different than four-card golf. In the six card version, a pair of equal cards in one column scores that player zero points. So, you try to make pairs, while keeping unpaired cards as low as possible.

Before the round starts, players can look at any two cards in their own layout. The other four cards cannot be looked at.

The play then continues with the same options and rules as four-card golf.

Scoring in Six-Card Golf

In six-card golf, the scoring is:

Ace = 1 point
Two = -2 points
Cards between 3 and 10 are worth their face value
Jack and Queen = 10 points
King = 0 points
A pair of the same cards in the same column scores 0 points for that column (even if the equal cards are twos!)

Eight-Card Golf Game

With eight cards, players’ grids are arranged in four columns with two cards in each column. Then, every player begins their first turn by turning one of their columns face up.

Unlike the other versions of golf, players have the option to replace the cards that are face-up.

When it’s your turn, each player can:

Draw a card from the deck and replace one of the face up cards in their layout, and put the replaced card in the discard pile.
OR use the drawn card to replace on of the face down cards in your grid. The replaced card cannot be looked at before replacing it. That card is then placed in the discard pile.
OR if you draw a card and do not want to use it to replace any of the cards in your grid, you can simply discard it, and then you can turn one of your own cards in your grid face up.

A round ends by ‘knocking’ or when one of the players turns the last card of their grid face up. Once this happens, the other players each have one more turn. Then, all points are scored.

Examples of Scoring in Eight-Card Golf

Like six-card golf, a negative score is possible in eight-card golf.

Jokers = -5 points each
Kings = 0 points
Queens and Jacks = 10 points
Aces = 1 point
Number cards between 2 and 10 are worth their face value
Pair in a column = 0 points
Two equal pairs in any two columns = -10 points

Nine-Card Golf Game

Nine-card golf is also referred to as Crazy Nines or Nine. Two or more decks of cards are required to play this version.

Each player is dealt nine cards which are then placed in a 3×3 square. Three cards are turned face up to begin the play.

Just like six-card golf, a column of equal cards is worth zero points. But, instead of having two equal cards in a column, nine-card golf requires three equal cards in each column.

There are a few different variations of playing and scoring for nine-card golf, such as:

Players only turn two cards face up at the start of the round.
Twos are worth two points rather than negative two points. Instead of the two, jokers are worth -2.
Queens are worth 12 points.
Vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines with three equal cards scores zero points.
Four equal cards together in a square gives a high negative score, like -25.

Ten-Card Golf Game

Two or more standard card decks are needed to play ten-card golf. Each player is dealt ten cards which are then placed face down into five columns of two cards. Before the round begins, each player can turn any of their two card columns face up. Then, play continues with the same rules and scoring as six-card golf.

History of the Golf Card Game

The golf card game, despite its name, has little to do with the sport of golf. Its origins are somewhat murky, with various versions popping up around the world. It’s believed to have been derived from traditional Scandinavian and European card games. The game has several names and variations, such as Polish Poker, Crazy Nines, and Turtle. Over time, it has evolved into a popular pastime, particularly in English-speaking countries like New Zealand, where it is enjoyed by families and friends. The game’s appeal lies in its simplicity and the blend of luck and strategy it offers, making it accessible yet challenging. As a result, it has become a staple at social gatherings and competitive play alike.

The early forms of the game were simple and intended as a casual way to pass time. The rules varied regionally, with some versions allowing for more strategy while others leaned heavily on chance. The game’s evolution has been influenced by the cultural contexts in which it was played. For example, in some parts of Europe, the game incorporated elements of trick-taking games, while in North America, it tended to be more straightforward. Despite these variations, the core objective has remained consistent: to have the lowest score possible by the end of the game.

Strategies for Winning at Golf Card Games

Winning at the golf card game requires a blend of luck and strategy. One key strategy is to focus on memorisation and recall. Keeping track of the cards that have been played can give players an edge, allowing them to predict and influence future draws. Additionally, players should aim to replace their high-value cards with lower ones early in the game, reducing their overall score. Bluffing can also be an effective strategy; by making opponents believe that your hand is stronger or weaker than it actually is, you can manipulate their actions to your advantage. However, it’s crucial to remain adaptable, as the element of luck means the game can change rapidly.

Another important strategy involves understanding and managing risk. Players should carefully consider when to take a chance on drawing a new card versus when to stick with their current hand. This decision-making process is critical, as a risky draw can either greatly improve a player’s standing or significantly hinder it. Timing is also essential; knowing when to reveal certain cards or when to swap can make a significant difference in the outcome of the game.

Common Variations

The golf card game has several popular variations, each adding unique twists to the gameplay. The most common version is the 9-card game, where players are dealt nine cards each, arranged in a 3×3 grid. Another popular variant is the 6-card game, where players receive six cards in a 2×3 layout. Some variations allow for the use of jokers, which can be beneficial as wild cards or penalising as high-point cards. The game can also be played with different rules regarding how many times players can draw or discard cards during their turn, adding an extra layer of complexity and strategy.

Other variations include the 4-card version, where players are dealt four cards face down in a 2×2 grid and must swap and reveal cards strategically to minimise their scores. There is also an 8-card version, typically arranged in a 2×4 grid, which introduces different dynamics due to the larger number of cards. In some versions, players may be allowed to look at two of their cards at the start of the game, adding a memory challenge to the strategic elements.

The Role of Luck in the Golf Card Game

Luck plays a significant role in the golf card game, adding an element of unpredictability that keeps it exciting. From the initial draw to the final discard, chance influences many aspects of the game. A lucky draw can instantly improve a player’s hand, while an unlucky one can set them back significantly. However, while luck is a major factor, skilled players can still influence the outcome by making strategic decisions based on the cards they have and the actions of their opponents. Balancing luck and strategy is what makes the game both challenging and enjoyable.

The randomness of the card draw means that even the most skilled players can find themselves in difficult situations, which tests their ability to adapt and make the best of a bad hand. This unpredictability ensures that no two games are ever the same, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging. It also means that new players have a chance to win against more experienced players, which can make the game more inclusive and enjoyable for all participants.

Social Benefits

Playing the golf card game offers numerous social benefits. It provides a relaxed and engaging way to spend time with family and friends, promoting social interaction and bonding. The game’s simplicity makes it accessible to players of all ages, fostering intergenerational connections. Additionally, the competitive yet friendly nature of the game encourages communication, teamwork, and strategic thinking. It can also serve as an icebreaker at social gatherings, helping people to connect and engage in a fun and informal setting. Overall, the golf card game is a great way to bring people together and enjoy each other’s company.

Beyond just entertainment, the game can be a tool for teaching valuable skills. For children, playing the golf card game can help develop memory, attention to detail, and basic mathematical skills. For adults, it can provide a mental workout, helping to keep the mind sharp and improving cognitive functions such as problem-solving and strategic planning. The game also encourages patience and perseverance, as players must often endure unfavourable hands and wait for better opportunities.

Tournaments and Competitions

While often played casually, the golf card game also has a competitive side, with tournaments and competitions held at various levels. Local clubs and community centres frequently organise events where enthusiasts can test their skills against one another. These competitions provide a platform for players to showcase their strategic abilities and enjoy the thrill of competitive play. Additionally, larger-scale tournaments sometimes offer prizes, adding an extra incentive for participants. For those looking to improve their game, participating in these events can be a valuable experience, offering opportunities to learn from more experienced players and refine their strategies.

On an international level, the golf card game has yet to achieve the same recognition as some other card games like poker or bridge, but it is still relatively. Online platforms have made it easier for players to compete against others from around the world, and some websites and apps host regular tournaments with global rankings. This has contributed to a burgeoning online community of golf card game enthusiasts who share strategies, organise games, and foster a sense of global connectivity through their shared love of the game.

FAQs

How many decks of cards are used for Golf?

Golf requires anywhere between one and three decks of standard 52-card decks.

Golf requires anywhere between one and three decks of standard 52-card decks. The number of decks needed to play the card game golf depends on which variation you are playing and how many players are involved. As mentioned above, when it is only two players, one deck is usually enough. However, with more players, adding more decks is necessary. Also, when each player is starting with more cards in their grid, more than one deck is needed.

How are jokers used in Golf?

Jokers are used in a variety of ways depending on the version of golf you are playing. A joker can be a designated power card, and depending on the variation you are playing, a joker is worth a variety of values such as 10 points, or -5 points, or -2 points. Some may also choose to not include jokers at all.

Is it possible to play golf with 2 players?

Yes. A minimum of 2 players are required to play golf.

What are the common house rules for the golf card game?

Common house rules for the golf card game often include specific guidelines about the use of jokers, the number of draws per turn, and whether players can look at their cards before beginning play. These rules can vary widely, so it’s always a good idea to clarify them before starting a game.

Can golf card games be played with different numbers of cards?

Yes, golf card games can be played with different numbers of cards. The most common versions use either six or nine cards per player, but variations with different numbers of cards exist, each adding unique elements to the gameplay.

Are there digital versions of the golf card game available?

Yes, there are digital versions of the golf card game available. These can be found on various gaming platforms and mobile apps, allowing players to enjoy the game virtually with friends or against computer opponents.