How to Play 31 Card Game (Rules, Scoring & Strategy)
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31 is a fast-paced card game that’s perfect for family game nights, parties, teens, and adults. Sometimes called Scat, the goal of the game is to get cards in the same suit that total 31 points — or get as close to 31 as possible before another player knocks.
This easy card game uses strategy, quick decisions, and a little luck. Once you learn the rules, it becomes one of those games everyone asks to play again.
Quick Rules for 31 Card Game
- Each player is dealt 3 cards
- Players try to get cards of the same suit totaling 31
- Aces are worth 11 points
- Face cards are worth 10 points
- Number cards equal their value
- Players draw one card and discard one card each turn
- When a player knocks, everyone gets one final turn
- The lowest hand loses a life
I would have to say this card game is great for older kids, teens, and adults. Although it’s easy to learn, there’s still enough strategy to make the game exciting for older kids, teens, and adults. Of course, you know your kids best, so you’ll be able to judge whether they can keep up with this fun game to play.
If you love playing card games with family and friends then you might like my posts on How to Play BS, How to Play Spoons, and Come on Six
Why People Love the Card Game 31
- It’s fun for everyone
- It involves some strategy, but it is not too complicated
- This card game is competitive – it makes for a nice friendly competition
What You Need to Play 31
- A deck of cards
What You’ll Need to Know Before Playing
- Ace equals 11
- Face cards all equal 10 each
- Jokers are not included
- Numbered cards are equal to their number
How Many Players Can Play 31?
31 can be played with 2 or more players, but 3–7 players tends to work best for family game night. If you have a large group, you may want to use two decks of cards.
Setting Up and Dealing
Here’s how to set up and start playing the 31 card game.
Step One
The dealer will need to deal 3 cards to each player.
Players should not reveal their cards.
Step Two
Once the cards are all dealt, the rest of the cards should go in a stack (face down) in the center of the table
Step Three
From that stack, turn one card face up and place it next to the face-down stack of cards
Object of the 31 Card Game
To have the hand that totals 31 or is the closest to adding up to 31
How to Add Cards for 31
Remember:
Aces = 11
Face cards = 10
Numbered Cards = Their Value
A 3-of-a-kind equals 30 points – Note: This is the only time different suits can be added together
Suits of the same kind in your hand of 3 can be added together to get a total
Examples of Adding Cards for 31
The suit above is of the same kind (Spades). These can be added together. The Jack = 10, and the numbered cards equal their face value (5 and 10). The total is 25
The hand above has 3 cards from 3 different suits. They can not be added together
The cards above are all from the Hearts Suit. They can all be added together. The Ace=11, The Queen=10, and the 10=10. The total is 31
The example above shows 2 cards from the Suit Spades and one card from the Suit Clubs
The 2 Spades can be added together, but the Jack can not be included in the total. This hand would equal 21 (A=11, 10=10)
31 Card Game Rules
Player one:
Draw one card from either pile on the table and add it to your hand of 3
Player one should decide now which 3 they want to keep. They should keep the 3 cards that will get them the closest to the total 31
Player one must discard one card face up into the discard pile.
Play then moves on to the person to the left of player one and continues the way described above, going counter-clockwise
Once a player feels like they have a good hand that totals closest to 31, they should “knock on the table.”
Once a player knocks, everyone gets one more turn to improve their hand
The players must then reveal their cards “face up” on the table, and the cards are counted to see who has the “lowest hand.”
That player loses a life
Note: If the player who knocked has the lowest hand, then they must lose 2 lives
Once a player loses 4 lives, they are out of the game
The last player left standing wins the game and whatever prize is available
Expert Tip
You could go 3 ways in the example below.
You could discard the Queen or 5 in hopes of getting another Ace on your next turn. for a 3 of a kind, which equals 30
You could discard the Ace, and you’ll have a total of 26. If you knock now, you might not be the highest, but you probably won’t have the lowest total
One more option is to get rid of the Ace of Clubs, don’t knock, and try to get a higher heart card than your 5 on the next hand
Adding a Friendly Wager Variation
and Holiday Edition
- This changes the rules just a little bit and is a fun holiday version
- Each player starts off with 4 candy pieces (or something else of value)
- Before each round, the players must ante up, “throw a piece into the middle.”
- Whoever has the highest in each round wins the ante
- When you are out of candy, you are out of the game
- The player who wins all of the candy from the entire table wins
- Note: If a player gets exactly 31, they knock and win immediately for that hand
Printable Rules for Card Game 31
How to Play 31
Equipment
- 1 table
- chairs for each player
Materials
- 1 deck of cards
Instructions
Object of the Game
- To have the hand that totals 31 or is the closest to adding up to 31
Setting Up and Dealing
- The dealer will need to deal 3 cards to each player.
- Players should not reveal their cards.
- Once the cards are all dealt, the rest of the cards should go in a stack (face down) in the center of the table
- From that stack, the top card should be turned face up and placed next to the face-down stack of card
Card Values
- Ace equals 11
- Face cards all equal 10 each
- Jokers are not included
- Numbered cards are equal to their number
Playing
- Player one: (usually the player to the left of the dealer)Draw one card from either pile on the table and add it to your hand of 3
- Player one should decide now which 3 they want to keep. They should keep the 3 cards that will get them the closest to the total 31
- The card player one does not want to keep must be discarded face up in the "face up" pile
- Play then moves on to the person to the left of player one and continues the way described above going counter-clockwise
- Once a player feels like they have a good hand that totals closest to 31, they should "knock on the table"
- Once a player knocks, everyone else get one more turn to improve their hand
- everyone must then reveal their cards "face up" on the table and cards are counted to see who has the "lowest hand"
- That player loses a life
- Note: If the player that knocked has the lowest hand, then they must lose 2 lives
- Once a player loses 4 lives, they are out of the game
- The last player left standing wins the game and whatever prize is available
Adding a Friendly Wager Version
- This changes the rules just a little bit and is a fun holiday version
- Each player starts off with 4 candy pieces (or something else of value)
- Before each round, the players must ante up "throw a piece into the middle"
- Whoever has the highest in each round wins the ante
- When you are out of candy, you are out of the game
- The player that wins all of the candy from the entire table wins
- Note: If a player gets exactly 31 – They knock and win immediately for that hand
Notes
How to Add Your Cards
A 3-of-a-kind equals 30 points Note: This is the only time different suits can be added together Suits of the same kind in your hand of 3 can be added together Example: If a player has an Ace of Spades, a 2 of Spades, and a Jack of Clubs – the spades would be the same suit and can be added to equal 13 (Aces 11 + 2=13) Example: The card hand in the photo on this instruction card is a Jack of Spades (worth 10), A 5 of Clubs, and A 10 of Clubs = 25 ÂFAQs
Players must add the 3 cards in their hand to try and get to a total of 31 or the closest to it. They can choose from the discard pile or the draw pile to try to improve their hand. Once they have decided which cards to keep, they must discard one into the discard pile. Once someone gets an amount they are comfortable with, they knock on the table, giving everyone else one more turn to improve their hand before all hands are revealed. The lowest hand loses a life, or the highest hand wins (whichever variation you are playing)
Each player starts with 3 cards
Suits must match to add up together. Aces are high and equal 11. Face cards are worth 10. Number cards are worth their value
31 is also commonly called Scat, Blitz, or Cadillac in some regions.
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