Big Two

How to play

Every player is dealt 13 cards (three players get 17 with one card set aside; with two players each takes 13 from a shuffled deck and the rest sit out). Ranks climb 3, 4 … 10, J, Q, K, A, 2 — the 2 is the HIGHEST — and the suit order ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ breaks rank ties.

Whoever holds the lowest dealt card (the 3♦ in a four-player game) leads first and must include it.

Play singles, pairs, triples, or five-card poker hands — straight, flush, full house, four-of-a-kind with a kicker, straight flush, each beating the ones before it. Straights run 3 up to A only: no 2s and no wraparound.

Beat the table with a HIGHER combo of the same size, or pass; when everyone else passes, the last player to play leads anything.

The first player to shed every card ends the hand and each rival takes penalty points equal to the cards left in their hand — doubled at ten or more. Four hands make a match; the LOWEST total penalty wins.

Ways to play

• 🤖
  Against the computerPlay on one device against a computer opponent.
• 👪
  Play together, nearbyWith family and friends in the same room: up to 4 players, each on their own phone or tablet. No Wi-Fi or internet needed. In the Jambolaya app.
• 🎓
  Learn by playingA guided lesson on the real game teaches you the rules one step at a time.