[Benjamin]

Oh, we have a new game!

Gesticulate

Basically it's a 4 player game and you have to work in pairs. You split the deck into two piles (one pile has the j,q,k and ace in it, the other pile has the rest).

With the big deck (non picture cards) you split them into 3 roughly equal piles and place them between the group.

You then deal out the picture cards pile so each player has 4 cards and you have to try and make 4 of a kind (4 j, 4 q, 4 k, 4 a) by passing a card along to the next player. You and your partner must individually try to get four of a kind and when you do you have to secretly signal to your partner that you have 4 of a kind (the secret signal is decided before the very start of the game). When your partner realises you have 4 of a kind you must then both slam your hands down onto one of the central piles before the other team realise. If you manage to get 2/3 of the central piles then your team wins and you pick up one of the central cards which gets you a point for that round. If the other team however beat you and get 2/3 of the central pile then they pick one card and get the poits. You can trick the other teams with pretend signs and slam your hands next to (but not on the pile) and if both teams fall for the trick and slam their hands on the central piles you get to pick a central card for another set of points.

The game continues until there are only 2 cards left in the centre. You then add up the points that your team have acquired remembering that heart cards the value is doubled.

One last thing, the player who has the Queen of hearts at the start of each round is the player that starts the round and therefor they only have to make 3 of a kind.

It seems complex and takes a while to master but it gets really intense and fun as you and your partner learn new ways to trick the other team.

Also if the other team guess your secret signal, then they get to pick up a central card, gain some points and your team must choose a new signal. If they guess wrong however, you can keep your signal and you get to pick a central card.