Cassino Rules (Fishing Card Game)

Cassino Rules (Fishing Card Game): A Classic and Popular Fishing Card Game

Game Overview

Cassino, also known as Casino, is a fishing card game that has gained popularity in English-speaking countries, despite its origins being traditionally attributed to Italy. The game is played with a standard 52-card deck and can accommodate 2 to 4 players.

Objective

The primary objective in Cassino is to capture cards from a layout of face-up cards on the table. Captured cards are stored face down and scored at the end of the game.

Setup

Each player is dealt four cards to start. Four cards are also placed face up in the center of the table. The remaining cards are temporarily set aside. The deal is usually in twos, but some players prefer dealing the cards singly. After everyone has played their four cards, another hand of four cards is dealt to each player from the remaining cards, and no more cards are dealt to the table after the first deal. This process continues until all 52 cards have been dealt — six deals for two players, four for three players, three for four players.

How to Play

Play begins with the player to the left of the dealer and continues clockwise. Each player in turn must play one card out from hand face up on the table. This card may or may not capture one or more cards from the table.

Capturing with a face card: If the card played is a face card (king, queen, or jack) that matches the rank of a face card on the table, the face card on the table may be captured. Only one matching card can be captured. Example: If the Q and Q are on the table, and the Q is played, the player may capture one of the queens from the table but not both.
Capturing with a numeral card: A numeral card (Ace, 2, ..., 10) can capture any numeral cards on the table which are of the same rank as the card played, and any sets of numeral cards which add up to the rank of the card played, with the following restrictions:
- Cards which are part of a build (see below) can only be captured by a card of the rank announced for that build.
- When sets are captured, each captured card can only be counted as belonging to one such set. Example: If an eight is played, it could capture one, two, or three eights from the table. It could also capture a five and a three, or a four and two twos.
Building: A numeral card may be played and combined with other cards on the table, placing them together to form a build. A build can be made out of any collection of numeral cards which can be captured by a single numeral card according to rule 2 above. The player making the build must announce the capturing number (saying, for example, "building 5") and must hold a numeral card which can later make the capture. There are two types of build: single builds and multiple builds.
- A single build consists of two or more cards whose capture values add up to the capture value of the build - for example, a 5-build made of a 2 and a 3, or a 10-build made of A-4-5.
- A multiple build consists of two or more cards or sets of cards, each of which equates to the capture value of the build - for example, a 5-build made of a 2 and a 3 plus a 4 and an ace, or a 5-build made of A-4 and 5, or a 9-build made of two nines, or a 9-build made of 6-3 plus 5-4 plus 9. When you make a build, it must include the card you just played - you cannot create a build consisting entirely of cards that were already on the table. Cards which have been made into a build can subsequently only be captured as a unit, never separately.

Scoring and End of Game

A round ends once all 52 cards have been dealt and played — the dealer must announce "last" when dealing the final cards. Each player then turns over the pile of cards they captured and scores it; cards still lying on the table at that point score for nobody. The player (or partnership) with the highest total wins. After the hand is scored, the deal passes to the left for the next round.

Common Variants

There are many variations of Cassino. Royal Casino, in which the picture cards are also given numerical values, features different scoring in the endgame. In the version played in Southern Africa, cards from opponents' capture piles can be reused in builds. Kasino, as played in the Nordic countries, is usually played without building at all, and the Swedish Krypkasino reverses the goal: there, the aim is to avoid capturing cards.

A Bit of History

Cassino is believed to have originated in Italy, although there is no direct evidence of it being played there. It first appeared in the card game literature at the end of the eighteenth century in London and shortly afterwards in Germany. In the late nineteenth century, it became fashionable in America, and a number of new variations were developed.

Where to Get the Game 52-card deck Cassino on Amazon

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Not understanding the concept of building and the importance of announcing the capturing number.
Trying to capture more cards than the value of the card played.
Not paying attention to cards that have been made into builds and trying to capture them separately.

FAQ

What is the difference between Cassino and Royal Casino?
- Royal Casino is a variation of Cassino that features different scoring in the endgame.
Which deck is used for Cassino?
- A regular 52-card deck. Each numeral card counts as its numerical value (ace = 1, two = 2, and so on), while picture cards have no numerical value in this version.
Can I capture cards that have been made into builds in Cassino?
- Once cards have been made into a build, they can only be captured as a unit and not individually.
How many players can play Cassino?
- Cassino can accommodate 2 to 4 players.
Is there a specific strategy for winning at Cassino?
- While there is no one-size-fits-all strategy, understanding the concept of building and being mindful of the cards in play can help improve your chances of winning.