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Official Casino Rules
Cassino (sometimes spelt Cassino) is a popular card game where players aim to capture cards from the table by playing matching cards from their hand.
Objective
Accumulate points by capturing cards.
Setup
Number of Players: 2 to 4 players. In a four-player game, players can form teams of 2 versus 2.
Number of Cards: Standard 52-card deck
Rank of Cards: King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace
The Deal
Each player is dealt four cards, and four cards are placed face-up in the center of the table. The dealer gives out cards in pairs: two to each player, two to the table, and two to themselves. The remaining cards are set aside.
After each player has played their four cards, they receive four more from the remaining pile. No additional cards are dealt to the table after the first deal. This process continues until all 52 cards have been played.
When dealing the final hand, the dealer must announce “last.” After the last hand, the dealer position rotates to the left.
Gameplay
The game begins with the player to the left of the dealer and proceeds clockwise. On their turn, each player must play one card from their hand face-up on the table. This card can be used to capture one or more cards from the table.
If a capture is made, the capturing player collects the captured cards and places them face-down in a pile. If no capture occurs, the played card remains face-up on the table.
Types of Play:
Capture with a Face Card: Play a face card (King, Queen, Jack) to capture a matching face card on the table. Only one card can be captured, even if multiple matching cards are present.
Capture with a Number Card: Play a numerical card (2-10, Ace) to capture any cards of the same value or sets of cards totaling the value of the played card. Cards in a build (see below) can only be captured by a card of equal value.
Example: Playing a 6 allows capturing one or more 6s or a combination like two 3s and three 2s.
Form a Build: Combine number cards on the table to form a build, which can be captured by a card of the build's total value. Builds must include the newly played card and cannot consist only of cards on the table.
Single Builds: 2+ cards with a total value equal to the build value.
Multiple Builds: 2+ cards or sets, each equaling the build value. For example, an 8 build could consist of an 8, an Ace and a seven, two 4s, or a 5 and a 3.
Capture a Build: Use a number card to capture a build if it matches the build’s value. If you created or added to a build and no other player has added to it since your last turn, you must capture, create a new build, or add to an existing build. You cannot capture or add if it leaves you without the necessary capturing card.
Add to a Build: Use a card from your hand to add to a single build or a card from the table to increase its value. Cards added from the table cannot alter the build’s value.
Example: If a build of 5 (2 and 3) is on the table and you have a 3 and an 8, you can add the 3 and announce “building 8.”
Trailing a Card: If you don’t wish to build or capture, you may place a card face-up beside the layout to be played later. You can trail a card even if it could make a capture.
Scoring
Most Cards: 3 points
Most Spades: 1 point
Ace: 1 point
10 of Diamonds (Big Casino): 2 points
2 of Spades (Little Casino): 1 point
In the case of a tie for most cards or spades, no points are awarded. The first player to reach 21 or more points wins. If there's a tie, play another round.
Notes/Variations
Card Values: Face cards have additional values: Jacks = 11, Queens = 12, Kings = 13, and Aces = 1 or 14.
Sweeps: When a player takes all cards of the same value from the table, the next player must trail. The capturing card is placed face-up on the pile of won cards of the same value. Each sweep is worth 1 point.
Scoring Order:
Most cards
Most spades
Big Casino
Little Casino
Aces (Spades, Clubs, Hearts, Diamonds)
Sweeps
Casino is a fun and engaging card game that combines luck and strategy.
