Mao
Type of Game: College - Mao Equipment: Normal Decks of Cards Formation: Vs. # of Players: 10+ Description: Each player is dealt an initial hand with an equal number of cards; the exact number of cards dealt varies, but is generally either five or seven. The size of the deck also varies. It is good to have approximately one 52-card deck for every two or three players (or, in games with new players, one deck for every player), but missing or extra cards are not terribly important to game play. Two decks combined is common; matching card backs aren't important, either. Once the cards are dealt, the remaining cards are placed face down in a stack in the middle of the table, and the top card from the stack is turned over and placed next to it. In some variants, play commences with the player to the left of the dealer and proceeds clockwise. In others, the dealer chooses who begins and which direction it proceeds. Many variants penalize players for looking at their hands before the game begins or before the dealer looks at his or her hand. A player may play any card in his hand which matches either the value or the suit of the card currently lying face-up on the table. The card played must be placed on top of this card, and the next player will have to play a card that matches the new one. If the player has no cards he can play, he must instead draw a new card from the top of the stack lying face-down and, in most variants, say something such as "Pass" or "Penalty Card". Usually, his turn is lost and he cannot play after he draws a card. Variations:
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