Amy Pessolano

How to Play Pig

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In this fast-moving card game, paying attention to the other players is just as important as paying attention to the cards in your hand!

Players
Up to 13 (for more than 13, add a deck of cards)

Objective
Don’t spell P-I-G! When the first player to collect a four-of-a-kind lays down their hand and touches their nose, stop playing and touch your nose, too. The last person to touch a finger to his or her nose for each game earns a P, I, or G. First person to spell “PIG” is the overall loser.

How to Deal
At the start of the game, choose a set of four cards (i.e. all four Jacks, all four 2s) for each player. If there are any cards left over, set them aside.

Shuffle the stacks of card sets together, then deal four cards to each player, face down.

How to Play
Once the cards are dealt, the fast-paced play can begin!

Look at your cards and sort them out. Then, choose one and pass it to the player on your left. The player on your right passes a card to you. Pick it up and see if it’s one you want to collect to make four of a kind. Choose another card to pass to your left.

Play continues in this passing/picking up manner until you have collected four of the same card. Once you have four of a kind, quietly put your cards down and place a finger on your nose.

As soon as other players notice, they should also put a finger on their own noses. The last player to do so earns a letter.

Then, resort and reshuffle the cards and start another round!

How to Win
Each round, the person who collects four of the same card first wins. The last person to notice and put a finger on their nose gets a letter. The player who spells out PIG first is the overall loser.

Tips
This is a great game for younger players, too. To help young children get the hang of the game, try playing with a spoken rhythm. For example, “Down, pass, pick up. Down, pass, pick up.”