Crazy Eights

Also Known as...

Crazy 8's, Drunken Eights

Players
3+ (4+ preferred)

Equipment

1 Deck of Playing Cards, Booze

Intoxication Level

40 proof (Medium)

Setup

Players gather around the table with booze and a Deck of Cards. The four 8's are removed from the deck of cards and laid out on a table in a row, top to bottom (some lay them left to right). The rest of the deck is dealt among the players.

Gameplay

The Starting Player must take lay down a card, building from the eights in either direction. matching the same suit as the 8. The next player will continue to build from the card played or the other 8's in either direction (Ace is usually high). If the player is able to connect to another card with no breaks (missing cards) between the card laid and an 8, lays down a card that does not skip any cards, they may give the total number of drinks from their card to the 8 (including their card and the 8).

If a player cannot lay down a card that counts up or down from one already on the table (and with no breaks in the chain to an 8), they must drink for the total number of cards in the suit on the table plus those missing in between the break.

For Example if Paddy lays the 9 of clubs, he may give away two drinks (for the 8 and 9 of clubs). If Scotty lays the 10 of clubs, he may give away three drinks (for the 8, 9, and 10 of clubs). If Mel cannot lay a card that connects (is one card away) from any card on the table she may choose to put down the 6 of clubs (usually a card that requires the least amount of drinks). Mel must drink 5 (for the 6, space where 7 should be, 8, 9, and 10).

It is often good practice to hold back on laying certain cards if they know others are waiting for the card to be laid so they may play.

For Example if Mel has the 5 of clubs, 3 of diamonds, and 2 of diamonds as her last three cards, she may want to lay the the diamonds first because she knows the other players are waiting to lay the 4, 3 and 2 of clubs and may be forced to lay them before she lays the 5. In that case, the players would have to drink a lot and Mel can give away even more when she finally completes the chain of clubs (by laying the 5).

Give Rank (Variation A)

Some play that when players complete a chain they give away the face number of the card laid (with Jack, Queen, and King being 10 and Ace being 11) rather than for the number of cards in the suit on the table.

Take Rank (Variation B)

Some play that when players are unable to complete a chain they drink the face number of the card laid (with Jack, Queen, and King being 10 and Ace being 11) rather than for the number of cards in the suit on the table (and spaces).

Drink to the 8 (Variation C)

Some play that if a player cannot lay down a card that counts up or down from one already on the table (and with no breaks in the chain to an 8), they must drink for the total number of cards on the table in the suit (plus those missing) counting back to the 8, rather then the entire suit (on the other side of the 8 as well).

Give Full Suit (Variation D)

Only someone directly to the active player's right or left can be 'zoomed'.
Only someone directly to the active player's right or left can be 'schwartzed'.
Only someone not directly to your right or left can be called with 'mifigliano'.

Give Full Suit (Variation E)

Some Play that If the player is able to connect to another card with no breaks (missing cards) between the card laid and an 8, they may give the total number of drinks from all cards in the suit on the table (including their card).

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