Wild Widow (2 player card game)

Wild Widow is a trick-taking card game traditionally played by four or more players, but it can be adapted for two players. Here’s how to play Wild Widow with two players:

Setup:

1. Use a standard 52-card deck.
2. Shuffle the deck thoroughly and determine who will be the first dealer.

Objective: The objective of Wild Widow is to win tricks by playing the highest-ranking card in each round and to score points based on the cards won.

Gameplay:

1. Dealing:

   • The dealer shuffles the deck and deals the cards face-down to each player, starting with the opponent on their left.
   • Each player receives 13 cards.

2. Wild Widow Card:

   • Before the first trick is played, the dealer places one card face-down in the center of the table, known as the “Wild Widow” or “Kitty.”
   • This card remains face-down and is not used in the current hand. It will be revealed and used in scoring at the end of the hand.

3. Bidding (Optional):

   • In the two-player version, bidding is optional and can be skipped.
   • Players may choose to skip bidding and proceed directly to playing the hand.

4. Playing the Hand:

   • The player to the dealer’s left leads the first trick by playing any card from their hand.
   • The second player must follow suit if possible. If they can’t follow suit, they can play any card.
   • The player who plays the highest-ranking card in the leading suit wins the trick.
   • The winner of each trick leads the next one.
   • Play continues until all 13 tricks have been played.

5. Scoring:

   • After all tricks have been played, each player counts the number of tricks they have won.
   • If a player wins more tricks than their opponent, they score one point for each excess trick.
   • The player who wins the last trick scores an additional point.

6. Wild Widow Scoring:

   • The Wild Widow card is revealed and added to the tricks won by the player who won the last trick.
   • If the player who won the last trick also wins the Wild Widow, they score an additional point.
   • If the other player wins the Wild Widow, they score two points.

7. Winning the Game:

   • The game is usually played over multiple hands, and the first player to reach a predetermined number of points (e.g., 5 or 10) wins.

Adaptation for 2 Players:

• In the traditional four-player version of Wild Widow, players play in partnerships and work together to win tricks. In the two-player adaptation, each player competes individually to win tricks and score points.
• The Wild Widow card adds an element of unpredictability and strategy to the game, as players aim to win both tricks and the Wild Widow to score more points.

Summary: Wild Widow, adapted for 2 players, offers an exciting and strategic card game experience. While the game is typically played with more players, the two-player version still captures the essence of trick-taking gameplay and scoring. With its blend of skill and luck, Wild Widow provides an enjoyable 2 player card game that is perfect for a cozy game night with a friend!