Cassino Rules (Fishing Card Game)

Cassino Rules (Fishing Card Game)

Cassino is a popular card game that originated in Italy, although its exact origin is not definitively known. It has gained popularity in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, and is a fishing game where the objective is to capture cards from a layout of face-up cards on the table.

Game Overview

Cassino is a card game that can be played with 2 to 4 players, making it an excellent choice for small gatherings. A regular 52-card deck is required for the game. Each numeral card (ace-ten) is counted as its numerical value, while picture cards (king, queen, jack) have no numerical value and can only capture cards of the same rank.

Objective

The main objective in Cassino is to capture cards from the table layout and accumulate them to score points at the end of the game. Cards can be captured either individually or as part of a build.

Setup

The dealer deals four cards to each player and four cards face-up in the center. The deal is usually in twos, but some players prefer dealing cards singly. The remainder of the deck is temporarily put aside. After everyone has played their four cards, another hand of four cards is dealt to each player from the remaining cards, but no more cards are dealt to the table after the first deal. This process continues until all 52 cards have been dealt. The dealer must announce "last" when dealing the last cards. After the last cards have been played and the hand scored, the deal passes to the left for the next round.

How to Play

Play starts 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.

1. 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. This is the only possible capture with a face card. If the table contains more than one matching card, only one may be captured.

   Example: 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.

2. 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. If the following cards are on the table: A 2 3 5 6 8, then an eight could capture 8 6 2 5 3 or 8 5 2 A, but not all six cards.

3. 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.

   Examples:

   • If there is a 5 on the table, a player holding a 3 and an 8 may put the 3 on the 5 and announce "building 8"; this single build can now only be captured by an 8.
   • If there is an ace and a two on the table, a player holding two threes and a six could play one of the threes and either:
     • capture the two and the ace;
     • combine the played three with the ace and the two and make a single build, announcing "building 6";
     • combine the played three with the ace and the two and make a multiple build, announcing "building 3";

   It would not be legal to play the three on the ace, building four, or on the two, building five, as the player does not hold a four or a five.

   If the cards on the table include 3, 4, 5, 7, a player who holds a 2 and a 7 can play the 2 to create a multiple build of 7 consisting of five cards: 5+2, 3+4, and 7, keeping the 7 in hand to capture it later.

4. Capturing a build: A build can be captured by playing a numeral card of the rank which was announced when the build was made. It can only be captured by the player who made the build or the player to their immediate left.

Scoring and End of Game

At the end of the game, players score points based on the cards they have captured. The cards are counted and players receive the following points:

• Aces: 11 points
• Face cards: 10 points
• Other cards: face value

The player with the highest score wins the game. In case of a tie, a new round is played to determine the winner.

Common Variants

There are several common variants of Cassino, including:

1. Score limit: Instead of playing until someone reaches a specific number of points, you can set a score limit for the game. The first player to reach that score wins.
2. No building: Some players prefer to play without the building mechanic, making the game simpler and faster.
3. Ace-ten combination: In some versions, an Ace and a ten can be combined to form a "pat" and the player who forms the pat receives a bonus score.

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

1. Misunderstanding the building mechanic: Be sure to understand how builds are made and captured to avoid making errors during gameplay.
2. Not paying attention to the rank of the build: Make sure to announce the correct rank when creating a build to avoid confusion and potential disputes.
3. Forgetting to declare the rank of a build: If you create a build, be sure to announce the rank so other players know how to capture it.
4. Not keeping track of your score: Keep track of your score throughout the game to know how close you are to winning.

FAQ

1. What is the objective of Cassino? The objective of Cassino is to capture cards from the table layout and accumulate points at the end of the game.
2. How many players can play Cassino? Cassino can be played with 2 to 4 players.
3. What cards are used in Cassino? A standard 52-card deck is used in Cassino.
4. Can I create a build with cards that are already on the table? No, you must include the card you just played in the build.
5. Can I capture a build with any card? No, you can only capture a build with a card of the same rank as the build or a higher rank.
6. What happens if there is a tie at the end of the game? In case of a tie, a new round is played to determine the winner.

If you're interested in playing Cassino, you can purchase the game here on Amazon. Enjoy