Multi-player card game and method of playing the same

Abstract

A portable multi-player card game having a unique set of playing cards and a unique system for scoring and keeping track of score, wherein the method of playing is distinct from cribbage based card games. A game board is provided, having a card holder portion and a score board portion; wherein, the score board portion includes a games won section and a points scored section. Both of these sections include three scoring rows. Within each scoring row are one or more rows of peg holes within which the scorekeeper keeps track of the number of points accumulated by each player, or team of players. Scoring occurs as players' cards are matched to cards of identical color, or to cards depicting other images or numbers, in a central pile. The object is to score eleven points and win an individual game. Whoever wins three games first wins the entire game.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable multi-player card game, comprising: 
 a) a game card holder and scoreboard, having a score board portion and a card holder portion;    b) a set of playing cards; having a plurality of suits, numbers, and pictures depicted thereon, and a chief card; and    c) a set of written game rules.    
     
     
         2 . The portable multi-player card game of  claim 1 , wherein the score board portion has a games won section and a points scored section, which sections include a set of pegged scoring rows within which game pieces may be inserted and advanced as points are awarded for points scored during play and games won respectively.  
     
     
         3 . A method for playing a portable multi-player card game with a plurality of players, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) engaging at least two players;    b) distributing a three-card hand to each player;    c) placing four cards, face up, in a center pile;    d) matching, in turn, a card from the players' three-card hand, with one or more of the four center pile cards;    e) optionally discarding a card from the players' three card hand, when a player does not have a matching card;    f) dealing three additional cards to each player each time the center pile is emptied, wherein the player who empties the center pile is awarded one point;    f) repeating step f) in turn, until the entire set of playing cards has been dealt; and    g) rewarding additional points to the player having the most cards, the player having the most picture cards, the player having a chief card, and the player having the highest value of his/her best four cards at the end of play.    
     
     
         4 . The method for playing a portable multi-player card game with a plurality of players of  claim 3 , wherein the best four cards are the four cards left in a player's hand with the highest values among all the cards in his/her hand.  
     
     
         5 . The method for playing a portable multi-player card game with a plurality of players of  claim 3 , wherein the additional point awarded to the player having the most cards is one point, the additional point awarded to the player having the most picture cards is one point, the additional point awarded to the player having a chief card is one point, and the additional point awarded to the player having the four best cards is one point.