Train

Contributed by Zachary Franciscus (coolsox84@hotmail.com)

Equipment:

3-4 players, 52-card deck (no Jokers)

Setup:

Train consists of four rounds; the first round has 4 decks in play, the second 3 decks and so on. The setup for each round is below:

Round 1	Round 2
Round 3	Round 4

Gameplay:

1. The dealer deals each player seven cards in the "Train" fashion: the first five cards each are dealt one at a time, in the usual way, but the last two cards to each player are dealt together. The dealer then divides the remainder of the deck into four, three or two face-down piles, also known as decks, according to the round, as shown in the diagram below. In the fourth round there is just one pile or deck.
2. "Train" is not played by turns; rather every player is always playing.
3. Every round must begin with any player who has a "2" laying it down in the Central area. If there are no "2"s, then the game may begin with a player laying down two sets of Doubles (see "Doubles" in Central Play). If no player has two sets of Doubles, each player draws one card from any pile and play begins with the first player to put a card down.

Central Play:

1. All Central Play is done in the area between the decks
2. On non-face cards (2, 3, 4, etc.) can be played on a card only if the card being played is 1 or 2 higher in value, or 1 lower in value. (Ex: 5 is in Central Play. A 6 or 7 may be played on it; a 4 may be played on it.)

Pile Play:

1. All Pile Play is done on the pile(s) around the Central area
2. An "A" may be played on a pile to close it from play
3. One deck must always remain open to play
   1. Round 1: 3 decks closed, 1 open
   2. Round 2: 2 decks closed, 1 open
   3. Round 3: 1 deck closed, 1 open
   4. Round 4: No decks closed, 1 open
4. Players may draw randomly from any open pile. Once a pile is closed it may not be drawn from again.
5. Once a pile is closed it may be reopened to regular play by placing cards on the closing "A" in this sequence: A, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, J, K. There cards are to be played face up. The pile is not open to normal play until the entire sequence up the "K" is completed.
6. Once the "K" is placed on a closed pile the beginning play of either a "2" or two sets of Doubles must be made to continue play in that particular pile.
7. After a closed pile has been reopened it follows the same rules as Central play, with the exception of no Doubles.

Special Moves:

1. Sandwiches: When a play lays down three cards at the same time. The cards must be in the following order: one card, a random card, a matching card to the first. (Ex: J, 8, J) The bottom card of a Sandwich must follow the 1 or 2 higher/1 lower rule of Central Play. Note: Sandwiches may be played on both Central and Pile Play.
2. Doubles: Doubles are two of the same number played at the same time. There are two separate rules for face cards and number cards as follows:
   1. Face card Doubles must be played in the following manner:
      1. Double Kings may only be played on a "4"
      2. Double Queens may only be played on a "5"
      3. Double Jacks may only be played on a "6"
   2. Number card Doubles must be played in the following manner:
      1. Any number card Double must be played on a card with equal value. (Ex: Double "4" on a "4")
   3. Doubles may be played only in Central Play.
3. Set of Doubles: A set of Doubles (Ex: J,J and 4,4) may only ever be used at the beginning of a round.
4. Double Sandwich: A Double Sandwich consists of a Double between the two end cards of a Sandwich. (Ex: J, 4, 4, J). A Double Sandwiches follow the same rules as all Central Play: 1 or 2 higher, 1 lower. A Double Sandwich may only be used in Central Play.
5. "Train" Play: A Train Play can only ever be used on a closed pile with only a bare Ace on the pile. The player that has the Train must make a "Choo choo" sound to signal that they are about to use it, play stops then to allow the Train to be played. A Train must follow these specifications:
   1. The Play must use all the cards in the player's hand
   2. The cards must increase to any number in order (Ex: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
   3. The Play must always begin with a "2"
   4. The Train automatically ends the round and grants the player that round. (This is the only way to win a round.)
   5. A Train may be played only in Pile Play.
6. Trainwreck: A Trainwreck occurs when all 4 piles are depleted of cards. If a Trainwreck occurs all cards are thrown in and the hand is re-dealt without granting any player the round or advancing a round. A Trainwreck does occur when all piles that are not closed are depleted of cards.

Trainwreck

Scoring/Winning:

1. Every round the winning player is granted 1 point. There are no points granted for Trainwrecked rounds. At the end of all 4 rounds the player with the highest number of points is the winner.
2. Tie Breakers: A tie breaker is set up in the same fashion as Round 1. 7 cards are dealt the tied players and the hand continues in the normal fashion. The player to complete the round is granted both a point and therefore wins the game.