Conquian: A Guide to the Classic Card Game Rules, Winning Strategies, and How-to-Play

Introduction

As a card game enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by the rich history and strategic depth of various card games. One such game that has caught my attention is Conquian, a rummy-style card game that is believed to be the precursor to all modern Rummy games by game scholars like David Parlett. Conquian is a two-player game that uses a standard 40-card Spanish deck, although it can also be played with a 52-card French deck by removing the 8s and 9s. The game’s objective is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards by forming combinations of three or more cards of the same rank or consecutive cards of the same suit.

Rules for playing Conquian

The rules of Conquian are relatively straightforward. Each player is dealt nine cards, and the remaining cards form a draw pile. Players take turns drawing a card from the pile or picking up the last card discarded by their opponent. They then discard one card, aiming to form combinations of three or more cards of the same rank or consecutive cards of the same suit.

The first player to get rid of all their cards by forming these combinations wins the game. However, there are also some ‘house rules’ that can add variations to the game, such as allowing players to pick up more than one card from the discard pile or introducing special combinations that score extra points.

The Deal for Conquian

In Conquian, the dealer shuffles the deck and deals nine cards to each player, three at a time. The remaining cards are placed face down in the middle of the table to form the draw pile. The top card of the draw pile is then turned face up to start the discard pile.

How to Play Conquian

Setup

At the beginning of the game, the dealer is chosen randomly. The dealer shuffles the deck and deals nine cards to each player. The remaining cards form the draw pile, and the top card is turned face up to start the discard pile.

Gameplay

Players take turns drawing a card from the draw pile or picking up the last card discarded by their opponent. They then discard one card, aiming to form combinations of three or more cards of the same rank or consecutive cards of the same suit.

End of the Game

The game ends when one player gets rid of all their cards by forming combinations. If the draw pile runs out before this happens, the game is a draw.

How to Win at Conquian

Winning at Conquian requires a combination of strategic planning, careful observation, and a bit of luck. One of the key strategies is to keep track of the cards that your opponent discards. This can give you a clue about the combinations they are trying to form and help you strategize your moves accordingly. It’s also important to be flexible and adapt your strategy based on the cards you draw. For example, if you draw a card that allows you to form a new combination, it might be worth breaking up an existing combination to take advantage of this.

Best Strategies for playing Conquian

One of the best strategies in Conquian is to prioritize forming combinations of three cards of the same rank. These combinations are easier to form than sequences of consecutive cards, and they can often be extended by adding more cards of the same rank.

Another effective strategy is to hold onto high-ranking cards, as these can be harder for your opponent to use in their combinations. However, it’s also important to balance this with the need to get rid of your cards as quickly as possible.

Game Variations

There are several variations of Conquian that introduce new rules or modify existing ones. For example, some variations allow players to pick up more than one card from the discard pile, while others introduce special combinations that score extra points. There are also variations that change the number of cards dealt to each player or the number of players in the game.

Scenarios

There are many different scenarios that can arise in a game of Conquian, each requiring a different strategy.

For example, if you have a lot of high-ranking cards, it might be a good strategy to try to form combinations with these cards and get rid of them as quickly as possible.

On the other hand, if you have a lot of low-ranking cards, it might be better to hold onto them and try to form sequences of consecutive cards.

In any case, it’s always important to keep an eye on your opponent’s discarded cards and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing Conquian

1. Can I pick up more than one card from the discard pile? In the standard rules of Conquian, you can only pick up the last card discarded by your opponent. However, some variations of the game allow you to pick up more than one card from the discard pile.

2. Can I form a combination with cards from different suits? No, all cards in a combination must be of the same suit.

3. What happens if the draw pile runs out before anyone wins? If the draw pile runs out before anyone wins, the game is a draw.

4. Can I break up a combination once I’ve formed it? Yes, you can break up a combination to form a new one. However, you must always have at least three cards in a combination.

5. Can I discard a card that I just picked up? No, you cannot discard a card that you just picked up. You must discard a different card from your hand.

External Links

For more information about Conquian, you can speak to people who know about Rummy, like the Federation of Card Gamers, which includes Rummy/Conquian players amongst its members.