Hanafuda

Hanafuda (Japanese花 札, dt " flower cards " ) are Japanese playing cards with floral motifs. The cards are slightly thicker than the maps of European card games. These cards are mainly used in Japan, Korea and Hawaii.

Similar to the usual in Europe Rummy cards you can play with Hanafuda different variations. Especially popular are Koi Koi, Hachi - Hachi and Kabu.

Nintendo started in 1889 to produce such playing cards.

Maps

One Hanafuda card set consists of 48 cards which are divided into the 12 months of the year. Each month is symbolized by a different flower.

For each month, four different floral cards with different values ​​in the game. A typical month consists of two floral motifs (1 point), a loop card ( 5 points), and an earth - ( 10 points) or light card (20 points).

Koi - Koi

Koi - Koi is one of the most popular and easiest game variations for Hanafuda cards. The following example explains the game play for three players:

At the beginning of six cards dealt face up on the table, each player receives seven cards and the rest is covered ready set as a stack. The first player places, if possible, from his hand a matching card (same month) open. He must take up his card and the card already open. Then he covers from the face-down pile on a map. Fits this card to an already face-up card, he may take both cards. Does not fit this card, the new card is sent to the other cards on the table.

A player remains on the train, as long as he can uncover matching cards. Then the next player on the train.

The game ends when no more cards can be added. Finally, the points of each player are counted.

Hachi - Hachi

Hachi - Hachi (8-8 ) is next to Koi Koi the most popular game with Hanafuda cards. It has similarities to poker.