Number of players: 2+
Type of game: Card
Period: 15th Century

History

One of the games mentioned by Bernadine of Sienne in his anti-gaming
sermon in 1440, and is one of the many ancestors to modern Blackjack (See also,
Bone-Ace), and was popular in both Spain and Ireland. It evolved into
Twenty-one in the 18th century.

Rules

The dealer distributes three cards; face down, to each
player, starting on his left. Starting with the eldest hand, each player may discard
one card (face-up), and replace it with top card on the deck, or the previous card on
the top of the discard pile. The goal is to come closest to 31. Aces are worth 11, Face cards are 10, and all other cards are worth their face value. A 3-of-a-kind

Number of players: 5 originally. Optional rules for 3,4 or 6
Type of game: Card
Period: 1500s

History

Laugh and Lie Down (or Lay Down) is one of the most exciting entries in Francis Willughby’s Book of Games (c.1665) – first, because his is the only known description of an ancient game previously known only by name, and, second, because it is the earliest known example of a European game of the Fishing family (Cassino, Scopa, etc), which may be of Chinese origin. To this may be added that it is that rare thing, a game designed for five players (though it can easily be adapted to four). As Willughby rightly remarks, “There is no other Game at cards that is anything a kin to this.” Though more of a fun game than a brain-strainer, it requires a fair amount of alertness, observation, and quick-thinking to play well.

Number of players: 4
Type of game: Card
Period: 11600-1800

History

Europe, 1600s – 1800s

Reversis (no relation to the board game Reversi) is one of two probable ancestors of the Hearts family (with Coquimbert or Losing Lodam) and was one of the great games of continental Europe from the 17th to the 19th centuries. It may be called Reversis because the aim of avoiding tricks in general and penalty cards, in particular, is the reverse of conventional trick games, though the name also denotes an exceptional slam bid which, like “shooting the moon” in Hearts, itself “reverses” the normal practice of the game.