Card Commander

The rules are here or you can download the PDF file.

-----Instructions-----

What you will need:

A standard 52 card deck without jokers

Paper and writing utensil to log scores

Objective of the Game:

Win 2 of the 3 rounds 

Setting up the game:

This a 2-player game. Pull out each face card (Commander) from the deck and all number cards. Each player will choose a Commander. Each commander has a special bonus to the game.

Commander Karl (The King of Diamonds)- gives the diamond cards of the player a +2 to its number value and each spade card a -2.

Commander Joanne (The Queen of Spades)- gives the spade cards of the +2 to their number value and each diamond card a -2.

Commander Jackson (The Jack of Hearts)- gives all red cards +1 to their number value and each black card a -1.

Only number cards will be used to play the game, the commanders will be placed in front of each player to signify their choice. Players may choose the same commander if enough cards are available.

 

Playing the Game:

After commanders have been chosen, the deck of number cards only shall be shuffled. Each player will be dealt 10 cards. Every round, each player will pick 3 cards to “battle” with. There are three “lanes” to place cards within. The left lane, the middle lane, and the right lane. Each player places 1 card in their hand face down within each lane. After all cards are placed, they will begin to “battle”. Each card is flipped and shown the number value and given any commander bonus. If player 1’s card is a higher number than player 2’s card in the left lane, they win that lane. The same goes for each lane. If a tie occurs, a player may choose to place their single extra card to add to their card value already played in that lane as long as they have not done so yet in the game and still have enough cards to complete all 3 rounds. If not, a coin flip determines the winner. The player who wins the most lanes wins the round and all lanes are cleared of cards. Those cards are placed in a discard pile. This system is repeated 2 more times for a total of 3 rounds.

 

Scoring the Game: When a player wins a round, they win a single point.

Winning the game: A player wins the game when they win at least 2 rounds.

Cover image: Horace Vernet: Napoleon at the Battle of Friedland

Educational Project