If you’re looking for a fun and easy-to-learn card game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, 5 Alive is an excellent choice. This game is perfect for family game night, parties, or any other occasion where you want to have some fun. In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to play 5 Alive.
5 Alive is a card game that was first introduced in 1994 by Milton Bradley (now owned by Hasbro). The game is designed for 2-4 players and is suitable for ages 7 and up. The objective of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards. The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, and the rules are straightforward.
Section 1: Setting Up the Game
To set up the game, each player should be given a set of “A-L-I-V-E” cards that are color-coded [4]. These cards are used to keep track of each player’s score throughout the game. The deck of cards should be shuffled, and each player should be dealt ten cards face-down [1].
The remaining cards should be placed face-down in the center of the table to form the draw pile. The top card of the draw pile should be turned over and placed next to the draw pile to start the discard pile.
Section 2: Playing the Game
The player to the left of the dealer goes first, and play proceeds clockwise. On their turn, each player must play a card from their hand onto the discard pile. The card played must be either the same rank or the same suit as the top card on the discard pile [1].
If a player cannot play a card, they must draw a card from the draw pile. If the drawn card can be played, they may do so immediately. If not, they must add the card to their hand and play passes to the next player.
The goal of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all their cards. When a player plays their last card, the round ends, and the player scores points based on the remaining cards in their opponents’ hands. The player with the lowest score at the end of the game wins.
Section 3: Scoring
Scoring in 5 Alive is based on the value of the cards remaining in each player’s hand at the end of each round. Aces are worth one point, face cards (jacks, queens, and kings) are worth ten points, and all other cards are worth their face value [1].
The player who played their last card scores zero points for that round. All other players score points based on the value of the cards remaining in their hand. The game continues until one player reaches a predetermined score (usually 50 or 100 points), at which point the player with the lowest score is declared the winner.
Section 4: Variations
There are several variations of 5 Alive that can be played to add some variety to the game. One popular variation is to play with a reduced deck of cards (for example, removing all cards below a certain rank). This variation makes it easier to play cards and can speed up the game.
Another variation is to play with a “wild” card that can be played on any card regardless of rank or suit. This variation adds an element of unpredictability to the game and can make it more challenging.
Conclusion
5 Alive is a fun and easy-to-learn card game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The game is perfect for family game night, parties, or any other occasion where you want to have some fun. With its simple rules and fast-paced gameplay, 5 Alive is sure to become a favorite among card game enthusiasts.
