Cassino - Quick Rules

Overview

• Players: 2 to 4 (4 players usually play in partnerships).
• Deck: Standard 52-card deck (no Jokers).
• Objective: Capture cards from the table to score points. The game usually ends when a player/team reaches 21 points.

Gameplay

Each player is dealt 4 cards face down, and 4 cards are placed face up on the table. Play proceeds clockwise. On your turn, you must play exactly one card from your hand to perform one of the following:

1. Pairing: Play a card that matches the rank of one or more cards on the table. You capture the played card and the matching table cards.
2. Combining: Play a card that equals the sum of two or more cards on the table (e.g., play a 9 to capture a 5 and a 4).
3. Building: Place a card from your hand onto a table card to create a combination for your next turn. You must hold the card required to capture the build (e.g., place a 3 on a 4 and announce "Building 7" if you have a 7 in hand).
   • An opponent can "steal" a build by increasing its value (only for "single" builds).
4. Trailing: If you cannot or do not want to capture or build, simply place one card face up on the table.

Scoring

Once all cards have been played, players score points based on their captured pile:

• Most Cards: 3 points (0 if tied).
• Most Spades: 1 point (0 if tied).
• 10 of Diamonds (Big Cassino): 2 points.
• 2 of Spades (Little Cassino): 1 point.
• Each Ace: 1 point (4 points total).

Card Values

• Number Cards (2–10): Represent their face value.
• Aces: Count as 1.
• Face Cards (J, Q, K): Have no numerical value. They can only be captured by pairing (e.g., a King captures a King), not by combinations.