Swoop Card Game

In Swoop Card Game players attempt to be the first to play all the cards in their hand into a pile in the center of the table. The pile is removed whenever four cards* of the same number are played in succession, or when a 10 or Joker is played. Players who cannot play a card equal in number or lower than the top pile card must pick up the pile and add it to their hand. Four face-down mystery cards add a unique element of strategy. A hand ends when a player plays his/her last card. Remaining players count points of unplayed cards in their hands, and a game ends when a player reaches 300 points. Players: You play against three AI Opponents - Left, Top, and Right. Card Deck: Swoop uses two combined decks of standard playing cards. Additionally, four Jokers are added, making a total of 108 cards. Point values of cards are as follows: - Ace-Nine: face-value (1-9) points - Jack, Queen, King: 10 points - Ten, Joker (Swoop Card): 50 points   Playing the Game: 1. Play begins by dealing 19 cards to each player. Players then place 4 of these cards face-down on the table (Mystery Cards) and cover each of them with 1 card face-up. The remaining 11 cards are held in players' hands.   2. Player to the left of the dealer is first to play. With the dual objectives of getting rid of both cards and points, the player creates the Pile by placing up to four cards of the same number (suit is irrelevant) face-up in the center of the table. Cards may be played from the player's hand, or the 4 face-up cards covering the Mystery Cards. Any time the top four Pile cards* are of the same number a Swoop is achieved, and the Pile is removed from the table. Player continues until he/she plays less than four cards of the same number, at which time play passes to the left.   3. Subsequent players play cards according to the following options: - Cards of the same number that are equal to or less than the number of the top Pile card. Any time the last four cards* on the Pile are of the same number, a Swoop is achieved, the Pile is removed, and the player takes another turn. - Cards of the same number that are greater than the number of the top Pile card. Player must take and add the Pile to his/her hand at the time the higher card is played. Player may then play additional cards* of the same number from his/her hand, including those from the Pile. If four cards* of the same number are played, a Swoop is achieved and the player takes another turn. - A Swoop card (10 or Joker). The Pile, along with the Swoop card, are removed and the player takes another turn. Swoop cards can only be played at the start of a turn. - A face-down Mystery Card whose covering top card has already been played. Player may not look at the Mystery Card before playing it. If it is higher in number than the top Pile card, the Pile must be taken and added to the player's hand. Player may continue to play additional cards of the same number as the Mystery Card, up to four cards* which achieve a Swoop. Mystery Cards can only be played at the start of a turn.   Winning the Hand: When a player plays his/her last card, the hand is over. Remaining players count the points of all unplayed cards, including any face-down Mystery cards. The deal passes to the next player on the left.   Winning the Game: The game is over when one or more players reach 300 points. Player with the lowest score is the winner. In the event of a tie, the rule is two-tie, all-tie, and a win is not awarded. *Rules Options (available in Settings) - Maximum of four cards allowed in a Swoop: Yes/No - Matching cards can be played after the Pile is taken: Yes/No