BEATRIX POTTER'S ™

RUMMY

A simple card game for younger children

The pack consist of 44 cards, which are divided into 14 sets, each set comprising three identical cards illustrating one of Beatrix Potter's famous characters in a distinctive pose.

Also included are two Signpost cards, used as "Jokers" at "Wild" cards.

The object of the game is to be the first person to collect one or two sets of three matching cards.

For 2-6 players

Shuffle the cards well, and deal them one at a time, so that each player receives 6 cards. Place the remaining cards face down in the centre of the table, within reach of all players. Turn over the top card from this "draw" pack, and place face up on the table next to the draw pack. With play starting on the dealer's left, each player in turn either takes the top card from the draw pack into his or her hand, or the face up card from the "discard" pile. A card must then be discarded from the hand, so that at the end of the player's turn only 6 cards remain in his or her possession. The discarded card is placed face up on top of the discard pile.

When a player holds two or three cards which match perfectly, he or she may place them face up on the table in front of them instead of drawing a card from the draw pack or the discard pile. Only one such set may be played in a turn. A "Signpost" card may be used to make up a set of two or three cards. No more than one "Signpost" card may be used to complete any set.

Should a player hold a card identical to the cards in a set which another player has placed face up on the table, and which contains a "Signpost" card, then that player may instead of his or her normal turn play the matching card onto the face up set, and take the "Signpost" card into his or her own hand.

Players may also, when it is their turn, add a third card to a set of two which they have already placed face up in front of themselves, or even take back from the table any set of two cards previously placed face up.

Players must not play any card onto another player's set except to substitute a "Signpost" card.

At no time may any player play out of turn.

At the end of a turn, each player will always possess 6 cards only, whether in hand, or face up on the table.

The winner of the round is the first player to complete two sets of three matching cards.

SCORING

The game can be played either for points, or for matchsticks/counters.

If playing for points, list each player's name on a sheet of paper, and credit them with a starting figure of 20 points. The winner of the round will receive 1 0 bonus points, Each other player will lose one point for each card still held in hand (not played face up in sets of two or three).

Any player holding a "Signpost" Card in hand at the end of a round will lose five points.

If playing for matchsticks or counters, issue each player at the start with 20. The winner of the round will then receive from each other player sticks/counters, on the basis of one stick/counter per card still held in hand, and five sticks/counters for any "Signpost" card.

WINNING

The winner is either:

1. The first player to accumulate 40 points or sticks/counters.

2. The player who has the highest total when another player has exhausted his or her points or sticks/counters.

3. The player with the highest total after agreed number of deals.

Three choices for winning have been given, so that players can select the method which most suits themselves, given the number of players taking part, their age and abilities, and the time available for the game.

SUMMARY

Each player aims to make matching sets of three cards, face up on the table.

Each turn, a player may do one of the following:

1. Take the top card from either the "draw" pack or "discard" pile.

2. Lay down on the table two or three cards in a matching set.

3. Substitute a card in hand for another player's "Signpost" card.

4. Add a third card to match a set of two he or she has previously laid down.

At the end of a turn, players must discard a card from their hand if necessary to ensure that the total of cards "held" is always 6 exactly, including any face up on the table.

NOTES FOR ADULTS

It will be appreciated that this game is based on the traditional game of RUMMY, but the modifications to the rules have been made and tested to provide an enjoyable game for younger children.

RULES FOR 7-12 PLAYERS

Exactly as above, except that only three cards are dealt to each player, and only one matching set must be made to win the round of play.