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How to Play Curdis

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of Curdis is to play all the cards in your hand by adding or subtracting to the top card showing.
The player with the lowest total score at the end of 13 rounds is the winner.


GAME PLAY:

The Curdis deck consists of cards numbered 1-13, in 4 colors.
Cards are worth their face value, with the exception of Wild Bird Cards (50pts) and the Live Bird Card (26pts)

Curdis can be played by 3-8 players.
To begin, deal the following number of cards:
·        1-4 players: 11 cards
·        5 players: 9 cards
·        6 players: 7 cards
·        7 players: 6 cards
·        8 players: 5 cards

Next, chose which color you would like to start with.
Rounds are played in descending numeric order, beginning with 13 (then 12, then 11, and so on) resulting in 13 rounds per color.
The player with the starting number, in the chosen color plays first.

If no player has the starting card, players take turns drawing one (1) card until it is found, starting with the player to the left of the dealer (players take turns dealing).

*A King Curdis may also be played at this time (see pg 5)

Once the starting card has been played, the starting player plays again in one of the following ways:
Two (2) cards that add up to the number of the starting card
Two (2) cards that can be subtracted to equal the number of the starting card
One (1) card that matches the number of the starting card

The color of the shield does not matter, but ONLY BLACK CARDS MAY BE SUBTRACTED FROM.

Cards are played in a stacked L shape and the number of the top card must be reached by the next player (see diagram).
(Ex: if 13 is reached by an 8 with a 5 on top, the next player must reach 5, so could play a 2 and a 3 (2+3=5). The following player must then reach 3, so could play a 12 and a 9 (12-9=3))

When adding, either number may be placed on top.
When subtracting, the black card must be played first (or larger number if two black cards are played), signifying subtraction.
(Ex: to reach 3, play 12 (black card) and then 9, signifying 12 minus 9)

Black Cards may be added as well, but must be played with the smaller number first.
(Ex: to reach 13, play 2 and then 11 (black card), signifying 2 plus 11)

If a player can not add/subtract to the number showing, they may also play one (1) card matching the top number, resulting in “doubles”.
(Ex: If a 7 is showing, player may play a single 7)

Any time both cards showing are the same number, any other set of doubles may be played, even if they do not add/subtract to the top number.
(Ex: if double 7 is showing, two 9’s could be played)

If a player can not play, they draw a card.
If they still can not play after drawing, they pass.

Play continues until one player has played all of their cards, and declares “Curdis!” when their last card is played.
Once a player has gone out, all other players add up the number of points left in their hand, and a new round begins.
The player with the lowest total score, after all 13 rounds is the winner.


SPECIAL CARDS:

There are four (4) special cards in the Curdis deck:
Two (2) Wild Bird Cards
One (1) Live Bird Card
One (1) Dead Bird Card

Wild Bird cards (Green & Purple 11):
These may be played at any time, followed by ANY card of the player’s choosing.
*In rounds starting with Purple or Green 11, the wild must be played as a standard 11, and is not counted as Wild for the first play of the game.
Wild Bird Cards are worth 50pts

The Live Bird card (Blue 13):
This allows a player to start a private game pile that only he/she can play on.
It can be played in front of the player at any time, and counts as their turn.

Once played, the card holder may play on either main game pile OR their private pile each turn.
Rules for the private pile are the same as the main game pile, and it begins by reaching 13.

The Live Bird is worth double its face value (26pts).

The Dead Bird card (Red 13):
This is played on top of a private pile, stopping it for the rest of the round.
It can be played by any player and counts as their turn.

In the event a player holds both the Live Bird and the Dead Bird cards, the Dead Bird CAN NOT be played as a 13 on their private pile.
It can, however, be played as a standard 13 on the main game pile, or be used to end their own private pile.

The Dead Bird is worth its face value (13).


KING CURDIS:

4 of a kind is called a King Curdis. A King Curdis can be played at any time during the game, regardless of cards showing.
If no player has the starting card, but a player has 4 of a kind, they may play a King Curdis once it reaches their turn to draw, ending the round.

            *King Curdis only ends the round if it is played before the starting card.
If it is played during the round, the game pile is shuffled into the draw deck, and play continues with the top two cards of the King Curdis (resulting in doubles).

IF YOU HAVE THE STARTING CARD, YOU MUST PLAY IT – EVEN IF YOU HAVE A KING CURDIS.


USELESS FACT:

“Pulling a Geoffrey”– When a player is nearly out but can’t play, and they draw a card worth 10pts or more, but still are unable to play.




FOR RULES IN LARGER FONT VISIT:
WWW.CURDIS.BLOGSPOT.COM


NEED AN AWESOME SOUNDTRACK WHILE YOU PLAY? VISIT:
WWW.FORTDEFIANCE.COM





FORT DEFIANCE
PO BOX 41402
NASHVILLE, TN 37204

ALL TEXT & GRAPHIC DESIGN  2017 JORDAN EASTMAN
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.


GAME BY: JORDAN EASTMAN, LAUREL EASTMAN, MIKELLE EASTMAN

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