HOW TO PLAY

EMPTY YOUR
HAND.

THE WHOLE GAME IN ONE SENTENCE

Add matching cards at the same rank to grow the required count—or play exactly that count at a higher rank. Whenever you grow the count, say “I'll be back.” First player with no cards wins.

LOW3→4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · J · Q · K · A→2HIGH

SETUP / LEFT TO RIGHT

START THE GAME.

STEP 1
DRAW FOR STARTER
Everyone draws one random card. The highest rank starts.
=
IF THE TOP CARDS TIE
DRAW AGAIN
Only a clear high card wins. Keep redrawing ties, then shuffle all starter cards back into the deck.
× 8
STEP 2
DEAL EIGHT EACH
Remove the jokers. Suits do not matter. Eight cards is the standard starting hand.
STEP 3
START WITH ANY SET
The starter may open with any rank and any number of matching cards: one, a pair, a triple, or four of a kind.

THE CORE LOOP

TAKE A TURN.

ON THE TABLE1 × 3

READ TWO THINGS

The table tells you the required count and the current rank. Here, it is one 3.

OPTION A / SAME RANKLEVEL UP

+=2 × 3

ADD THE SAME RANK

Add one or more 3s. Each card increases the required count. As you level it up, say “I'll be back.” The next player must now answer a pair.

OPTION B / HIGHER RANKBEAT IT

2 × 3→

MATCH THE COUNT, GO HIGHER

To change rank, play exactly the required count at any higher rank. A pair of 5s beats a pair of 3s.

THEN IT CAN GROW AGAIN3 × 5

SAME RANK ADDS TO THE COUNT

Add another 5, say “I'll be back,” and the challenge becomes three 5s. The next higher-rank response must contain exactly three matching cards.

WHEN YOU DO NOT PLAY

DRAW OR PASS.

DRAW THE COUNT

CLAIM YOU CAN'T PLAY

Draw as many cards as the active count. You are allowed to say this even if you already have a legal play.

→

PLAYORPASS

CHECK YOUR WHOLE HAND

After the draw, immediately make any legal play—including the new cards—or pass and wait for your next turn.

KEEP THESE CLOSE

THE REST OF THE RULES.

PASSING IS LEGAL

Playing is never mandatory. You may pass voluntarily and rejoin when your next turn comes around.

DRAW, THEN DECIDE

Claim you cannot play and draw the active count—even if you could play. After drawing, play any legal response from your whole hand or pass.

WHEN IT COMES BACK

Once play returns to the last successful player, they may continue the sequence or clear the table and restart with any matching set.

RECYCLE THE PAST

If the draw pile runs out, keep all hands and the active set in place. Shuffle older table cards. If too few remain, draw only those available.

EMPTY HAND WINS

The instant you play your final card, you are out and safe. Continue until only one player still holds cards.

THE NEXT GAME

The loser gives the winner one highest-ranked card. The winner returns any card they choose, and the loser starts the next game.

THREE IS LOW.
TWO IS HIGH.
EMPTY YOUR HAND.

PLAY THE MACHINE →