Sometimes, it can be very difficult to come across a game that suits your entire family, particularly when you are playing with a blend of elderly and young people or are just trying to introduce easy board games to someone who doesn’t really play them. This is precisely why the Pokeno game is the ideal place to begin.
While the game needs its players to be relatively quick at thinking, the rules of playing the game are pretty simple. Plus, you can understand the instructions very easily without much effort, making the ideal board game for a night in with the fam, much like UNO or Phase 10!
So, without wasting time, let’s get started!
Introducing The Pokeno Game: How To Play?
First invented sometime during the 1930s, the Poken game is a classic card/board game that blends different elements of Bingo and Poker. You can play this game with 2 to 13 players, but we suggest that you play this game with people who are seven or older.
All you will need is a deck of game cards accompanied by a board with twenty-five squares. The classic game starts with every player getting their own individual game board.
Then, each player gets twenty chips each. The dealer then shuffles the deck of cards and turns over the card on the top. After calling out the value and suit on the card, every player utilizes their set of chips for covering the suit in case they have any on their Pokeno board.
Since the rules of Pokeno are simple, relatively easy to understand, and quick to play, the game is convenient for people of all ages. Plus, it takes a total of ten minutes to play this game.
The game also does not need any skill or expertise. So, it’s an ideal game for practically anyone who is not familiar with board or card games or someone who does not want an exhaustingly long game like Monopoly.
The Pokeno game’s purpose is simple. In order to win this classic game, the participants have to cover five squares in a single row – either horizontally or vertically – with their chips.
Now that you have some idea about this game let’s find out how to play Pokeno!
The Setup:
All that you will require for playing this game is the official gaming set. You can find it all over the internet or at local board game stores.
Plus, there is a different version of the game available. This version is called Pokeno 2. You can buy it as a bundle along with the original game. Moreover, you can also buy extra cards independently online in case you have to replace damaged or lost cards.
The set basically consists of twelve boards with images of 200 chips and a card. Since the game doesn’t include card decks for every player, you have to literally outsource this. But it is not difficult, really, considering you can easily obtain a standard deck of cards.
Pokeno Game Rules:
Before beginning, check out which version of Pokeno you feel like playing, considering the rules can vary for each of the versions. So, if you want to make sure that everyone follows instructions accurately, it is better to have clarity over the two versions.
Then, choose a dealer. The dealer will basically deal out the different chips, shuffle the deck of cards, and then call out all the cards to the players.
In the beginning, every player arrives with their own board, and the dealer gives each player twenty chips. Once the dealer shuffles the deck, they take the card on the top, turning it over. After turning the card over, the dealer calls out the suit and value on the card. For instance, 3 of clubs or 8 of spades.
If any player has this particular card on their board, then they will have to cover the same with one chip.
The gameplay continues until one player is able to cover five squares in one row on their game board. These rows can either be horizontal or vertical. Once they are able to do this, they have to yell, “Po-Ke-No!” for letting everyone else know that they have won the game. Now, you can understand why it is similar to Bingo.
Once a player matches one row of five and calls the same out, they become the dealer for the next round. They also win every other player’s chips from their boards.
You can keep playing the Pokeno game for multiple rounds without any issues. The player with the most number of chips emerges as the overall winner once you all stop playing. Oh, FYI, if any players run out of chips during the game, then hard luck! You are disqualified.
Additional Rules For The Pokeno Game:
This is the section where you can make things a little more complicated. Every individual board comes with a Poker hand among the different rows.
Now, every hand has its own amount of chips. So, if you have managed to complete one row, you can determine the number of chips you are winning as per the point system mentioned below.
- Single Pair – 1 Chip.
- Two Pairs – 2 Chips.
- Three of a Kind – 3 Chips.
- Straight – 4 Chips.
- Flush – 5 Chips.
- Full House – 6 Chips.
- Four of a Kind – 7 Chips.
- Straight Flush – 8 Chips
However, you do not have to worry. This version is meant for individuals who are seeking a relatively more advanced version of the Pokeno game. If you play this game in the traditional way, then it can still be a fun experience.
How To Win Pokeno?
There are basically three ways to win the Pokeno game. And each depends on a version of the game you are playing.
Let’s check them out!
1. Standard Play:
In order to win any game during standard play, the winner has to obtain four chips in one row and scream ‘Po-Ke-No’ to let other players in the loop know about the same.
2. Claiming Chips:
If you are choosing to play the version of the Pokeno game where each of the players wins everyone else’s chip from their individual boards, then the player who has the largest number of chips will win at the end of the game.
3. The Rank Of Poker:
Similar to the point above, in order to win this version of the game, it is again all about having the largest number of chips when the game ends.
Some More Card Games You Can Try
Pokeno is already a great game that you and your friends can enjoy anytime you want. However, It must be one of many games that you guys could enjoy. Am I right? Hence, here is a detailed rundown of some of the most prominent and best card games that you can check out to have a gala time with your friends.
Gin Rummy
Want something classic? How about a game that was invented around 1909? Gin Rummy is one of the most popular games of the early 1900s. This game is ideal for playing between two to six players at a time. This game is all about matching suits along with numbers, so there is a similarity with Pokano in some ways.
Canasta
Americans love Canasta. In fact, the game has been one of the most famous American pastimes since 1948. This game can be mostly played between four friends. A single round of Canasta demands two decks of cards and four jokers. It is a card-collecting game at the core.
Spades
Spades is another classic game that has been around since the 1930s. This is a trick-taking card game. College students originally invented the game to pass the time after the exams. The game can accommodate two to seven players at a time. The primary object of the game is to have the highest number of ‘tricks’ per game.
Solitaire
If classic games do not apply to you, it is time that you look at some popular digital card games. Solitaire was primarily developed as a competitive game between two people. However, the game eventually evolved into something more. Solitaire is one of the most popular online card games. As a result, you can log in and check this game out anytime you want.
Forty Thieves
Forty Thieves is another very popular game that shares a resemblance with Solitaire. The game demands two standard decks of playing cards, along with a spacious playing area. This game can accommodate more than 5 players. The primary object of the game is simple. You need to make eight foundation piles according to the suits.
Quiddler
Quiddler is a very different game from what we have discussed here. The game is primarily a word game that can sharpen your cognitive abilities and help you spend some quality time. As a result, it is a great game for you to check out with friends. Quiddler is somewhat similar to Scrabble. Both games require players to make a long, unbreakable chain of words.
Blink
Want something that is exclusively played between two people? Well, blink is the best game that you can go for. This fast-paced game is all about moving quickly and is reminiscent of the name of the game. In fact, each round of the game gets over within two minutes. Therefore, keep playing blitz matches to combat boredom.
Peanuts
Another popular speed game is the Peanut. Peanut is all about having that perfect hand-eye coordination. This is a great game that can be enjoyed between two players. As a result, you can easily enjoy this game with your partner or best friend. However, this game can also be played between two or more players. However, the latter variant can prove more challenging.
And It’s A Wrap!
Overall, the Pokeno game is a conventional family game, you can always keep it simple or mix things up to make it relatively more complex for advanced players. Whichever version of the game you ultimately opt to play, it is bound to bring the whole family or friends group together, making it a talking point of the night.
Additional Reading:
Barsha Bhattacharya is a senior content writing executive. As a marketing enthusiast and professional for the past 4 years, writing is new to Barsha. And she is loving every bit of it. Her niches are marketing, lifestyle, wellness, travel and entertainment. Apart from writing, Barsha loves to travel, binge-watch, research conspiracy theories, Instagram and overthink.
