The Game of 31

This is a fun little game called 31. I call it a game, but in fact, it is a devilish little scam you can use to win free drinks at the local watering hole, make a few bucks in fun bets with your friends, or just drive your friends crazy.

The Set Up

For this little gem, you need a simple and regular deck of cards. Take all the Aces, Two's, Three's, Fours, Five's and Sixes out of the deck and set the remainder of the deck aside. You no longer need the remaining cards.

Now, face up, starting on your left, place all the Aces in a pile, Two's etc. so you will now have six piles of cards face up Aces thru Six.

The rules of the game are simple. Aces = 1, Two's = 2 and so on, all the way to six.

Taking turns, each player will pick up a card and place it in a pile, announcing the total. The second player will then choose a card and add it to the pile, and announce the new total.

The object of the game is simple. You win by making the total reach 31 on your turn, or by making your opponent go over 31 on his turn.

Nothing could be easier, and you or your friend can go first. It will not matter, because you will win either way.

The Trick

But this would be just another game of chance and hardly a free drink generator if there was not a trick to it. A trick that makes sure you always are the winner, and the recipient of free beverages all night long.

The trick is remembering the numbers 3, 7, 10, 17, and 24. These numbers are key to your winning. As long as you make the point total one of these numbers on your turn, you will win.

For example, your friend goes first and he plays a 6. Now the point total is 6, so you would play an Ace, which will bring the total to one of the key numbers, or in this case 7.

Your friend now plays a 6, making the new total 13. So your play would be adding a 4 to the total, and reaching the key number of 17.

Now, your friend plays a 2 which makes the total 19. On your play, you need to play a 5, this will make the key number a 24.

Now, regardless of what your friend plays, lets say he plays a 3, which will make the new total 27, you will be able to make a total of 31 and win the game. In this case, you would play a 4, making the total 31, and winning the bet.

Now, Go And Win Some Free Drinks

Now that you are armed with this devilish little game, you can win free drinks from your friends all night long. I would advise playing several different people just so nobody gets the key numbers, but you can have a lot of fun, and a lot of free drinks with this little card game.