Rules for the card game Xeri
Xeri is a fishing card game similar to dondonets. These rules came to us from Cheryl Berman.
Xeri is a two-player Greek fishing-style card game using a 52-card deck where players capture cards by matching the rank of the top card on a central pile. Players aim to capture the entire pile using matching cards or Jacks, with the goal of scoring points through captured cards and a specific “xeri” bonus.
Game Setup
- Players: 2 (can be played with 4 in teams).
- Cards: Standard 52-card deck.
- Dealing: Each player receives 6 cards. 4 cards are placed face-up in the center (the play pile).
- Special Setup Rule: If the top two cards of the initial play pile match in rank, or if a Jack is among them, the pile is reshuffled and re-dealt.
How to Play
- Turn Order: Non-dealer goes first, taking turns to play one card.
- Capturing:
- Match: Play a card that matches the rank of the top card on the pile.
- Jack: A Jack captures the entire pile regardless of the top card’s rank.
- Action: If a match occurs, the player takes the whole pile and puts it in their face-down scoring pile.
- Non-Matching: If the card does not match and is not a Jack, it is placed on top of the pile, and the turn ends.
- Empty Table: If a player cannot or chooses not to capture, and the table is empty, they must place a card face-up.
- New Hands: When both players run out of cards, the dealer deals 6 new cards to each from the deck, until the deck is empty.
The “Xeri” Bonus
- A Xeri (meaning “dry” or “plain”) occurs when a player clears the entire table with a single match (e.g., if there is only a 7 on the table, and you play a 7).
- A Jack clearing a single card is still a Xeri, though some variations may differ.
- Captured Xeri cards are placed face-up and perpendicular in the scoring pile to denote the bonus.
Scoring and Winning
- Xeri Capture: 10 points (20 points if it’s a Jack Xeri).
- Most Cards: 3 points for the player with the most total cards.
- Face Cards & 10s: 1 point for each Ace, King, Queen, Jack, or 10.
- Special Cards: 1 point for the 10 of Diamonds and 1 point for the 2 of Spades/Clubs.
Responses