MAU-MAU
Game Rules
The game Mau-Mau is particularly popular in Germany, Austria, South Tyrol and Brazil. In Switzerland, the game is known as "Tschau Sepp".
Setup
Mau-Mau is a card-playing game. At the beginning, each player receives the same number of cards (often five or six), which they take face down - as a fan of cards - into their hand. The remaining cards are placed face down in a pile. The top card of the deck is placed face up next to it.
Gameplay
In turn, each player places one of his cards face up on the card next to it - if this is possible. This is possible if the card to be discarded has the same value or suit as the top card lying face up. (Example: Either another spade card or another 10 may be placed on top of the 10 of spades). If a player cannot or does not want to place a card, he must draw a card from the deck and it is the next player's turn. If the pile is used up, the discarded cards, except for the top visible one, are shuffled and become the new pile.
Further rules
Since the basic rules allow relatively few possibilities for playing style and strategy, Mau-Mau is always played with additional rules based on them. There are, however, great regional differences, which is why the following rules and hand values are only given as examples:
Whoever draws a card may then discard this card if it meets the conditions.
If discarded cards are turned over to the new talon, they are shuffled beforehand.
Whoever shows three aces has won and the game is over.
Card 7 means two-draw, which means that the next person must draw two cards. However, if this person also has a 7, then the next person must draw 4 cards and so on.
Ass means that you are allowed to lay another card.
Jack is a wish card. The player can wish a colour which has to be played next.
In addition, other rules are often added. The most common is that after playing the penultimate card, the player in question must warn the other players - for example, by saying a simple "Mau" or "last card!". If the player forgets to report and another player notices this before the next player lays his card, he must draw one or two cards as a penalty and has not won the game. Furthermore, it is often stipulated that the function of the first open card at the beginning of the game has no effect or, in the case of a wish, depends on the dealer or the lowest card in the talon.
Other additional functions for remaining card values are also determined from time to time, especially when playing with more than 32 cards. Here in particular, the differences are greatest regionally. Some are listed below.
Card 9 can be laid at any time and on all suits and cards.
Card 8 is the suspension card. The following player must sit out a round and may not play a card.
Varieties of play
In addition to the standard rules described above and frequently played extensions, Mau-Mau also has numerous variants. In addition to defining further special functions or tightening up existing rules, individual cards (e.g. the queen of spades) are often given special functions. Some rules also affect the course of the game - such as silence rules, penalty cards for missed changes of direction, etc. Here too, it is advisable to clarify the exact rules with the other players before the game begins.
End of game
The first player to play all his cards wins. Winning is announced with a shout of "Mau" or "Mau Mau", in Switzerland "Tschau Sepp!” The remaining players continue the game until the last person is finished.