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Zinacheck

Zinacheck is a card game that is similar in many respects to Contract Rummy. It is also known by other variations such as Zioncheck, and various other styles of Rummy. This particular variation has been in my family for many many years, and is still the family's card game of choice for when we all get together over a few adult beverages.

How to play

The players: A minimum of four players is required, and it works best with 4 - 6 people.

The deck: Two full decks plus all four jokers are used. If there are 5 or more people playing, you may wish to use 3 decks and 6 jokers. I do not recommend playing with more than 6 people, as it gets to be a bit hectic.

The deal: 10 cards are dealt to each player in a round robin fashion. All players may look at their cards, but should not show them to anyone else. At the end of the deal, all remaining cards are placed as the tableau, face down in the middle of the table. On all rounds EXCEPT the final round, a single card is turned face up to form the discard pile. The deal rotates clockwise after each round.

The object: The object of the game is to obtain cards forming whatever the particular goal is for the round and discard all your remaining cards. The 7 goals for the 7 rounds of play are as follows:

1) Two groups of three cards
2) One group of three cards and one run of four cards
3) Two runs of four cards
4) Two groups of three cards and one run of four cards
5) One group of three cards and two runs of four cards
6) One group of four cards and one run of seven cards
7) Two groups of three cards and two runs of four cards (with special rules)

A group of cards consist of three or more cards of all the same rank. An example would be three 7's or four Kings. Jokers may be used for any card in a group.
A run consists of four or more cards OF THE SAME SUIT in rank order. An example would be 2C, 3C, 4C, 5C. The ace can be high or low. Jokers may be used for any card in a run.