Bidding war
Encyclopedia
Bidding War is a card game
typically involving two players. A radical variation of the classic game War
, the result is not predetermined and a good player can win consistently.
Since the game does not require cards to be placed on a table, it can be played in a car or even while standing or walking, which makes it popular among travelers.
It uses a standard Anglo-American playing card deck.
Each player peeks at the top card of his/her stack. Similar to Blackjack
, cards with a number 2 to 10 printed on them count as that value; the jack, queen, and king (also known as "face cards") count as 10; the ace card counts as 1.
One of the players (player A) declares his/her guess for the sum of 2 top cards (between 2 and 20). Player B declares his/her guess, which must be bigger than the first guess plus one or lesser than the first guess minus one (so if player A guessed 13, Player B can't guess 12, 13 or 14).
The cards are exposed and the player closer to the actual sum receives both cards and places them face up at the bottom of his stack (the end of the "Battle").
If a player guessed the sum exactly, he additionally receives the next top card of both stacks and places the 2 cards face up at the bottom as well.
If both players are equally close to the actual sum, a "Bidding War" takes place:
Both players peek at the next 2 cards of their stacks. Player A guesses the sum of all 4 cards. Player B can either guess a higher number or say 'call'. The players alternate, each one can raise the guess or call. Once a call was made, the 4 cards are exposed and the person who called wins all 6 cards if the sum is smaller than the called guess. The other player wins if the sum matches or is higher.
For example - Player A: 18, Player B: 22, Player A: 23, Player B: 24, Player A: Call. Player A wins if the sum is 23 or under and Player B wins if the sum is 24 or higher.
The next battle is played with player B now guessing first.
The game ends after all 26 cards are played. If a Bidding War occurs when there are no more face down cards (or only one), 2 random cards (or one) are chosen from the face up cards that were already played.
Somewhat similarly to Poker
, a player will try to "read" his opponent according to previous battles. This is especially true during a Bidding War, where physical aspects (such as the time each player takes to think about his next move) during the bidding provide additional information (known as tells
)
When a player guesses an impossible or extremely unlikely sum for the purpose of misleading the opponent, it is known as bluffing
(e.g. guessing 15 when holding a 2).
Gambling - When played for money, the amount per card is set before the game starts. When the game ends, the difference between the number of cards in each stack is multiplied by the agreed amount and the result is paid to the winner.
For example, if the bet is $10 and the game ended with player A holding 30 cards and player B holding 22, player A won $80.
Card game
A card game is any game using playing cards as the primary device with which the game is played, be they traditional or game-specific. Countless card games exist, including families of related games...
typically involving two players. A radical variation of the classic game War
War (card game)
War is a card game typically involving two players. It uses a standard French playing card deck. Due to its simplicity, it is played most often by children.-Gameplay:The deck is divided evenly among the two players, giving each a down stack...
, the result is not predetermined and a good player can win consistently.
Since the game does not require cards to be placed on a table, it can be played in a car or even while standing or walking, which makes it popular among travelers.
It uses a standard Anglo-American playing card deck.
Gameplay
The deck is divided evenly between the two players, giving each a face-down stack of 26 cards.Each player peeks at the top card of his/her stack. Similar to Blackjack
Blackjack
Blackjack, also known as Twenty-one or Vingt-et-un , is the most widely played casino banking game in the world...
, cards with a number 2 to 10 printed on them count as that value; the jack, queen, and king (also known as "face cards") count as 10; the ace card counts as 1.
One of the players (player A) declares his/her guess for the sum of 2 top cards (between 2 and 20). Player B declares his/her guess, which must be bigger than the first guess plus one or lesser than the first guess minus one (so if player A guessed 13, Player B can't guess 12, 13 or 14).
The cards are exposed and the player closer to the actual sum receives both cards and places them face up at the bottom of his stack (the end of the "Battle").
If a player guessed the sum exactly, he additionally receives the next top card of both stacks and places the 2 cards face up at the bottom as well.
If both players are equally close to the actual sum, a "Bidding War" takes place:
Both players peek at the next 2 cards of their stacks. Player A guesses the sum of all 4 cards. Player B can either guess a higher number or say 'call'. The players alternate, each one can raise the guess or call. Once a call was made, the 4 cards are exposed and the person who called wins all 6 cards if the sum is smaller than the called guess. The other player wins if the sum matches or is higher.
For example - Player A: 18, Player B: 22, Player A: 23, Player B: 24, Player A: Call. Player A wins if the sum is 23 or under and Player B wins if the sum is 24 or higher.
The next battle is played with player B now guessing first.
The game ends after all 26 cards are played. If a Bidding War occurs when there are no more face down cards (or only one), 2 random cards (or one) are chosen from the face up cards that were already played.
Strategy
Although using the mathematically correct guess increases the chance of getting the 'accurate guess' 2 cards bonus, being consistent is often a bad strategy in the long run. A good player will recognize the pattern and have a huge advantage when guessing second - knowing what his opponent has.Somewhat similarly to Poker
Poker
Poker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
, a player will try to "read" his opponent according to previous battles. This is especially true during a Bidding War, where physical aspects (such as the time each player takes to think about his next move) during the bidding provide additional information (known as tells
Tell (poker)
A tell in poker is a change in a player's behavior or demeanor that is claimed by some to give clues to that player's assessment of their hand. A player gains an advantage if they observe and understand the meaning of another player's tell, particularly if the tell is unconscious and reliable...
)
When a player guesses an impossible or extremely unlikely sum for the purpose of misleading the opponent, it is known as bluffing
Deception
Deception, beguilement, deceit, bluff, mystification, bad faith, and subterfuge are acts to propagate beliefs that are not true, or not the whole truth . Deception can involve dissimulation, propaganda, and sleight of hand. It can employ distraction, camouflage or concealment...
(e.g. guessing 15 when holding a 2).
Variations
- Continues - The cards won are placed face down at the bottom of the stack. The game continues until one player collects all cards.
- Short - only half of the cards are used (13 cards each, instead of 26).
- Multi-Player - A Bidding War occurs only between the 2 closest guesses. The order is clockwise and being first to guess also moves one player to the left each battle.
Gambling - When played for money, the amount per card is set before the game starts. When the game ends, the difference between the number of cards in each stack is multiplied by the agreed amount and the result is paid to the winner.
For example, if the bet is $10 and the game ended with player A holding 30 cards and player B holding 22, player A won $80.