Jack Change It facts for kids

Jack Change It is a fun and easy card game. It belongs to the same family as Crazy Eights. This game is very popular with children.

Usually, two to six players can play. The main goal of Jack Change It is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards. This type of game is called a shedding game. Jack Change It is quite similar to another game called Jacks, Twos and Eights.

How to Play Jack Change It

To start, you use a standard deck of 52 cards. Each player gets seven cards. These cards make up your "hand." The rest of the cards are placed face down. This is called the "deck."

Next, the top card from the deck is turned face up. This card starts the "pile." Your goal is to be the first to play all the cards from your hand onto this pile.

Taking Your Turn

The player to the left of the dealer goes first. On your turn, you must play a card from your hand onto the pile. The card you play must match the top card on the pile. It can match either the suit (like Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, Spades) or the rank (like 7, Queen, Ace).

• If you can't play a card, you must "pick up" one card from the deck.
• If the deck runs out of cards, the pile (except for the very top card) is shuffled. This creates a new deck.

The game usually ends when one player gets rid of all their cards. They are the winner!

Special Cards: "Trick Cards"

Some cards have special powers when you play them. These are often called "trick cards." The most important trick card is the Jack. The effects of these cards can change depending on who is playing. It's a good idea to agree on the rules for trick cards before you start the game.

Usually, you cannot finish the game by playing a trick card.

Ace of Hearts

The Ace of Hearts is a very strong card. If you play it, the next player must pick up five cards from the deck. No other card can stop this effect.

The Twos

When you play a 2 of any suit, the next player has to pick up two cards. But there's a trick! If the next player also has a 2, they can play it. This means the player after them has to pick up four cards (2 + 2). This can keep going until all the 2s are played. The last player who can't play a 2 has to pick up all the cards.

The Eights

If you play an 8 of any suit, the next player misses their turn. Play then moves to the player after them. Some players have a rule that if the next player also has an 8, they can play it instead of missing their turn.

The Jacks

The Jack is a very special card. When you play a Jack, you can choose what the next suit will be. For example, you can say, "Jack change it to Hearts!" Then, the next player must play a Heart card. This is how the game got its name, "Jack Change It."

• Sometimes, a Jack can only be played if it matches the suit of the card on the pile.
• Other times, a Jack can be played on any card. But the new suit you choose must be the same as the Jack's suit. For example, if you play a Jack of Hearts, the next card must be a Heart.

The Queens

When you play a Queen of any suit, the direction of play changes. If play was going clockwise, it now goes counter-clockwise. This continues until another Queen is played. If only two people are playing, the Queen usually doesn't have an effect.

Game Variations

The number of cards dealt at the start can change. Instead of seven, some games use five or nine cards.

• Using five cards can make the game faster. It also allows more players.
• Using nine cards can make the game longer. This is good for two or three players.

Sometimes, the game doesn't end when one player wins. Instead, it keeps going until only one player is left. This means there is one "loser" instead of one "winner."

Game Strategy

Players often try to save their trick cards for later in the game. If you use them too early, other players might guess what cards you have left. But be careful! Most rules say you can't end the game on a trick card.

Another strategy involves the Jack. When you say "Jack change it to...", try not to give away what cards you have. For example, if you only have Hearts left and you change the suit to Hearts, other players will know. They might then try to change the suit to something else to stop you from winning.