Rams (card game)

Rams, also known by various names including Bastard, Black Peter, Screw Your Neighbor, Hearts, and Chase the Lady, is a shedding-type card game, typically played with a standard 52-card deck. The primary objective is to avoid accumulating points associated with specific cards or suits. The game is popular because of its simple rules and social interaction, often resulting in humorous and competitive gameplay.

Gameplay:

The entire deck is dealt out as evenly as possible to all players. Players then examine their hands and typically discard specific combinations of cards (often pairs or suited runs) based on the specific variant of the game being played.

The lead player plays a card, and play proceeds clockwise. Each subsequent player must play a card of the same suit, if possible. If a player cannot follow suit, they may play any card. The highest card of the led suit wins the trick, and the winner leads the next trick.

Scoring:

The scoring in Rams varies considerably depending on the specific variant being played. Common scoring methods involve assigning point values to certain cards, such as Hearts (especially the Queen of Spades or "Black Peter") or specific picture cards like Jacks, Queens, and Kings. At the end of a round, players count the point values of the cards remaining in their hands. The player with the lowest score, or a score below a predetermined threshold, wins the round.

Variations:

Rams has numerous regional and house rule variations, influencing the specific cards to avoid, the methods of discarding initial cards, and the overall scoring system. The name of the game often changes based on these variations. Some variations focus on avoiding a specific card (e.g., the Queen of Spades), while others penalize entire suits.

Strategy:

Strategy in Rams involves careful card management, trying to shed high-scoring cards, and forcing opponents to take unwanted cards. Players may use different tactics depending on the variant, such as trying to "trap" opponents with high-value cards or strategically breaking suits to force unfavorable discards. Due to the luck element of the initial deal, tactical flexibility is also important.