Gamehelpliterature

Literature is a team-based card game for 4, 6, or 8 players, played with a standard 52-card deck where all the 8s are removed (leaving 48 cards). Players are divided into two teams, usually seated alternately around the table.

The Goal

The objective of the game is for a team to win more half-suits than the opposing team. A team wins a half-suit by successfully "claiming" it.

The Cards and Half-Suits

The 48 cards are divided into 8 "half-suits" of 6 cards each:

• Low Spades: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 of Spades
• High Spades: 9, 10, J, Q, K, A of Spades
• Low Hearts: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 of Hearts
• High Hearts: 9, 10, J, Q, K, A of Hearts
• Low Clubs: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 of Clubs
• High Clubs: 9, 10, J, Q, K, A of Clubs
• Low Diamonds: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 of Diamonds
• High Diamonds: 9, 10, J, Q, K, A of Diamonds

Taking a Turn

On your turn, you must take one of two actions: Ask or Claim.

1. Asking for a Card

You may ask any opponent for a specific card, provided that:

• You do not already have that card in your hand.
• You have at least one card of the same half-suit in your hand.

If the opponent has the card:

• They must give it to you.
• You get to take another turn.

If the opponent does not have the card:

• Your turn ends.
• The opponent you asked gets the next turn.

2. Claiming a Half-Suit

If you believe that your team holds all 6 cards of a half-suit, you can claim it. To claim a half-suit, you must have at least one card of that half-suit in your own hand.

• You simply announce the half-suit you are claiming. The server automatically checks if all 6 cards are held by members of your team.
• Successful Claim: If all 6 cards are held by your team, your team scores points (2 for a High, 1 for a Low).
• Incorrect Claim: If an opponent holds even one card from the half-suit, your claim fails, and the opposing team scores the points instead!

Auto-Claim: If you receive a card and now personally hold all 6 cards of a half-suit in your hand, you are forced to claim it immediately. The system will automatically claim it on your behalf and award the points to your team.

Choosing the Next Player (After a Claim)

When a half-suit is claimed (successfully or not), the cards are discarded, and the turn must pass to a new player.

• On a Successful Claim: The player who made the claim gets to choose who takes the next turn. They may choose themselves (if they still have cards) or any teammate who has cards.
• On a Failed Claim: The chance passes to the opposing team. Specifically, the next opponent seated clockwise from the player who made the false claim gets to choose who takes the next turn. They must choose someone from their own team who still has cards.

End of the Game

The game ends when all 8 half-suits have been claimed. The team with the most points wins. High half-suits score 2 points, and Low half-suits score 1 point.