Donkey

Donkey is a speedy card game that is fun for kids of all ages. Sneaky moves and fast pace fun always leads to giggles as the players try not to be labeled DONKEY. 

Object of the Game

To match 4 of a kind and not be the player left without an object. 

What You'll Need

  • A standard deck of playing cards.
  • Enough smooth unbreakable objects for each player minus one.
  • 3 to 13 players.
  • A table or other flat surface with enough room for all players.

Setting Up the Game

3 to 13 players sit around a table. The deck of cards is divided so there are 4 of a rank for each player. If there are three players for example use the Aces, Kings and Queens. Place the stack of cards in the center of the table.

A small unbreakable object for each player minus one is placed in the middle of the table. Spoons are commonly used, but other objects like quarters or dice work nicely also.

One player should be scorekeeper.  The scorekeeper lists each players name on a piece of paper with enough room next to their name to keep score.

Playing Donkey

The dealer deals out the deck one card at a time face down to each player.

Each player will end up with 4 cards. Players look at their cards and determine which card they want to play. Players slide the unwanted cards one at a time to the player to their left. As they receive a card from the player on their right they look at it quickly and decide whether to keep it or pass it along. 

Play continues until a player has 4 cards of the same rank. When a player gets 4 cards of equal rank they discretely place them face down on the table and pick up one of the objects from the middle of the table. This is when the scramble begins.

The rest of the players upon noticing grab an object from the table.  The player who does not end up with an object loses the round and receives a D on their score card.

The player who loses the round shuffles the cards and deals them out to the players one at a time face down and the next round begins.

Play continues until one player receives all the letters D-O-N-K-E-Y. The first player to complete the word is the game loser and brays, "eee-aww" three times.



Card Games

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