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How to play 31 (2026) — 31, also called Scat or Blitz, is a simple draw-and-discard card game for two to nine players. Everyone holds three cards and tries to build the highest total in a single suit, with 31 as the perfect hand. Knock when you think you are safe, and avoid having the lowest hand when the cards are shown. It is a great game for a family table, a road trip stop or a group with a stack of pennies.
A deck for 31: Bicycle Rider Back Playing Cards (12-pack)
31 uses one standard 52-card deck. A 12-pack means fresh cards for every table at a family reunion or party.
Price band: $20–$30 (about $25) · Check today’s price on Amazon
31 at a glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 to 9 or more (three is a favorite) |
| Deck | Standard 52 cards |
| Cards per player | 3 |
| Goal | Have the highest total in one suit; avoid the lowest |
| Lives | 3 per player, often tracked with pennies |
Card values in 31
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 11 |
| King, queen, jack | 10 |
| 2 through 10 | Face value |
Your hand’s value is the total of the cards in one suit. If you have two hearts and a club, count the two hearts, or the club if it is worth more. Three different suits? Your score is your single highest card. The best hand is 31: an ace and two ten-point cards of the same suit.
Example hands
| Hand | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| King, 8 and 5 of spades | 23 | All three cards are the same suit |
| Queen of hearts, 9 and 8 of clubs | 17 | The two clubs (9 + 8) beat the queen alone |
| Ace of diamonds, 6 and 4 of spades | 11 | The ace alone is worth more than the two spades |
| Jack of hearts, 7 of clubs, 4 of spades | 10 | Three suits, so only the highest card counts |
Dealing a hand of 31
Deal three cards to each player, one at a time. Turn the next card face up to start the discard pile and put the rest face down as the stock. The player to the dealer’s left goes first.
Drawing and discarding in 31
- Draw the top card of the stock or the top card of the discard pile.
- Discard one card face up. If you took the discard, you cannot throw the same card back.
Knocking
If you think your hand is not the lowest at the start of your turn, you can knock instead of drawing. Your hand is now locked, and every other player gets one more turn. Then everyone reveals their cards.
- The player with the lowest hand loses a life.
- If the knocker ties for lowest, the other tied players lose a life and the knocker is safe.
- If the knocker has the lowest hand alone, the knocker loses two lives.
Getting 31
If you reach exactly 31 after drawing and discarding, show your hand immediately. Every other player loses a life. If you are dealt 31, declare it before play starts. A 31 you do not declare right away cannot be claimed later.
If the stock runs out
Play can continue as long as each player wants to take the previous player’s discard. As soon as someone does not want it, everyone shows their cards and the lowest hand loses a life, just as if someone had knocked.
Lives, pennies and the county
Each player starts with three pennies, or three lives. Each time you lose a life, put a penny in the middle. When you have no pennies left, you are “on the county” and still in the game; lose once more and you are out. The last player standing wins.
Strategy for 31
- Commit to a suit early. Chasing two suits rarely works.
- Watch the discard pile. If someone grabs a spade, they are probably building spades.
- Knock early with a decent hand. A knock at 25 or higher is often safe early in the hand.
- Be careful when you have one life left. Knocking and losing costs two.
31 variations
- Three of a kind: some groups count it as 30, or 30.5 so it beats every hand but 31.
- Minimum knock: some groups require at least 17, 19 or 21 to knock.
- Knocker loses ties: a stricter version where a tie for lowest goes against the knocker.
- Like simple betting-style games? See how to play 21 and our guide to adult games with playing cards.
31 card game questions
How many cards do you get in 31?
Three cards per player.
What is the best hand in 31?
An ace plus two ten-point cards of the same suit, for 31 points.
What happens when you knock in 31?
Everyone else gets one more turn, then all hands are shown and the lowest hand loses a life.
What do I need to play?
One standard deck and some pennies. A Bicycle 12-pack keeps spares on hand.
