Seven and a Half (2 player card game)

Seven and a Half is an Italian card game similar to Blackjack but with its own unique twist. Originally played with multiple players, it can be adapted for two players by adjusting the rules. Here’s how:

Setup:

1. Remove all the cards from the deck except for the 1s, 2s, 3s, and face cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings). Each card retains its face value, except for face cards which are worth half a point each.
2. Shuffle the deck thoroughly and deal three cards to each player. The remaining cards form the draw pile.

Gameplay:

1. Player 1 begins by deciding whether to draw a card from the draw pile or “stick” with their current hand. If they draw, they add the value of the drawn card to their current total.
2. If the total exceeds 7.5, they are “busted” and lose the round. If they decide to stick, their turn ends.
3. Player 2 then takes their turn following the same rules.
4. The game continues with players taking turns until both players have either stuck or busted.

Scoring:

• The player closest to 7.5 without going over wins the round and earns a point.
• If both players bust, neither earns a point.
• If a player exactly hits 7.5, they win immediately and earn two points.
• The first player to reach a predetermined number of points (e.g., 5 or 7) wins the game.

Summary: In this adapted version of Seven and a Half, tailored for a 2-player setting, players take turns drawing cards and aiming to get as close to 7.5 without going over. By adjusting the rules and scoring system, Seven and a Half transforms into an exciting 2 player card game where luck and strategy intersect.