Hockey 1961

'Hockey' is an ice hockey simulation game played with a standard deck of 52 cards.

Players attempt to match the card played by their opponent to create a "breakaway" (also known as "clearing the ice") and then also matching the opponent's following play to score a "goal."

Each play through the deck is considered a "period." Five cards are dealt to each player at a time, except the last deal of the period when all remaining cards are dealt. Three periods constitute a complete game. The deal switches after each period.

Players take turns playing one card from their hand face up in a common playing area. All cards are played on top of one another so that only the most recently played card is visible.

If a played card matches the rank (number) of the top card of the pile (e.g. a "6" is played on top of another "6") it creates a "breakaway" for that player. Jacks always create breakaways when played, regardless of the previous card in the stack.

Once a breakaway has been created, that player now needs to try to match the rank of the next card played by the opponent. If able to do so, a goal is scored.

The player with the most goals at the end of the game is the winner.