Play or Pay is an easy card game that can be played with two or more players with players aged five and up. We find that it is best played with a group five or more.
Although all you need is number recognition to play, there is an element of loss that might be hard for some younger players. Also, depending on how many players you have, players can end up holding quite a lot of cards.
If you like the card games Cheat, Spoons, Ratuki and the dice game Tenzi, then Play or Pay is a game for you.
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What You Need for Play or Pay
You need one deck of cards for a two to four player game. Any more players and you’ll need two decks. We like playing with two decks as it adds a little more challenge to the game. If you need some new cards, check out the selection here; Canadians here. We think the Crazy Chicken Lady ones are fun looking!
You will also need poker chips, Bingo chips or candy.
Setting up
Each player gets an even amount of chips (ten chips per player is good.) Next, deal all the cards. Players can then organize their hands in suit order.
Playing Play or Pay
The player on the dealer’s left gets to start the play. She can choose any card to start a pile in the middle of the table. For example, he chooses the 6 of Hearts.
The player on her left can then either play the 7 of Hearts or start a pile of another suit. For example, he chooses the Jack of Spades.
Now the next player can play the 7 of Hearts, the Queen of Spade or a card from the remaining suits.
Once there are four piles—one for each suit—then players must play the next card in the sequence of any pile. When a player can’t play, she must pay. She pays by placing a chip in the middle.
When a pile reaches a King, then an Ace is needed and then a two.
This continues with players either playing or paying until one player plays his last card.
Winning the Round
The first player to play all of her cards, wins the round. She then collects all of the chips in the middle and adds them to her pile.
No More Chips
When a player runs out of chips in the middle of a round, he is allowed to keep playing even if he can’t pay. He hopes to win the round, renewing his chip supply.
When a player ends a round with no more chips, he is out of the game.
Winning Play or Pay
The player who wins all of the chips is the winner.
However, we find a two player game is not very exciting. Instead, we prefer to count chips when it comes down to the final two. The player with the most chips wins.
Will you Play or Pay?
This card game will have player oohing when someone has to pay and groaning when it’s their turn to put a chip in the middle. Frustration will be high while trying to figure out who isn’t playing the card you need or when someone else plays the card you were about to. Play or Pay is the perfect game for a light game night. It’s also great for holidization—play with Easter Eggs, Halloween Candy, Candy canes, you name it! A great way to celebrate a holiday.
If you need some poker chip, you can shop here. Canadians here. And if playing with candy sounds sweet to you, check out our big list of games that use candy as the chips. And check out our Family Game Shelf shop for tons of un with seasonal and original games like our Whacky Putt mini golf dice game!
If you’d like the printable rules for Play or Pay click here.
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