Spoons is a fast-paced card game where players race to grab a spoon once they collect four of a kind. It is easy to learn, loud, and perfect for parties, college gatherings, or family game nights. The game rewards quick reactions and attention. Here is how to play.
Materials You Need
- A standard 52-card deck
- Spoons, one fewer than the number of players
- A table large enough for all players
Basic Setup
Seat all players around a table. Place the spoons in the center where everyone can reach them. There should always be one fewer spoon than players.
Choose one player to be the dealer. The dealer shuffles the deck and deals four cards face down to each player.
How the Game Works
Passing Cards
The dealer draws cards one at a time from the remaining deck and keeps them briefly. The dealer then passes one card to the player on their left.
All players follow the same pattern. Each player picks up the card passed to them, chooses one card to keep, and passes one card to the left. Play continues rapidly and simultaneously.
Goal of the Game
The goal is to collect four cards of the same rank, such as four Kings or four Sevens.
Once a player has four of a kind, they quietly grab a spoon from the center.
Grabbing Spoons
As soon as one spoon is taken, all other players may grab a spoon. The player left without a spoon loses the round.
Elimination or Scoring
There are two common ways to handle losing a round:
- Elimination style: The player without a spoon is eliminated. Remove one spoon and deal again.
- Letter style: The player without a spoon receives a letter in the word SPOONS. When a player spells the full word, they are eliminated.
Continue playing rounds until one player remains.
Important Rules to Remember
- Players may only grab a spoon after someone has four of a kind.
- You may not grab a spoon early.
- Once spoons are grabbed, the round ends immediately.
- All passing is done face down.
Tips for Playing Spoons
- Keep the pace fast. Slow play takes away the fun.
- Do not announce when you have four of a kind.
- Watch other players instead of the spoons.
- Use sturdy spoons to avoid bending.
- Set clear rules before starting to avoid arguments.
Spoons Sets
If you’re unsure if you have all of the items needed to play, there are Spoons sets available on Amazon, such as Giant Spoons and more.
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