Royal Towers
Players:2
Objective: Create 2 towers of 5 cards. The player that does that
first wins instantly.
Setup: Each player receives 5 cards. The top card of the deck is turned over and the first player to go has the choice of drawing from the discard pile or the main pile.
After the deal, the board will look like:
Gameplay:
The player whose turn it is can either:
- Draw a card from the deck or draw the top card from the discard pile (5s above); or
- Demolish a tower (one of your own towers - not possible in the above setup); or
- Steal a tower (one of your opponent's towers - not possible in the above setup); or
- Trade-in cards
If drawing a card, after you can either play a royal card (AKQJ) horizontally to start a new tower (if you have fewer than 2 towers), or place a number card in the same suit as an existing tower which you have started. If discarding, any card can be discarded.
A tower is complete when it has 5 cards.
You cannot steal a tower if you already have 2 towers, without first demolishing one of your own. Demolished cards are moved to the side, and if cards run out before there is a winner, are shuffled back in with the discard pile.
You can steal a tower by playing a higher royal card than the base of the other tower in the same suit. Ace is highest, Jack is lowest. Your card goes atop the previous base (so you do not get an extra length). For the rest of the game, you can only play with 4 cards.
A tower cannot be stolen if it has picture cards at both ends. Picture cards may only be used at the front and back of the tower.
On any turn, you can trade in your entire hand only and will receive two fewer cards back in return. Those cards are moved to the side, and if cards run out before there is a winner, are shuffled back in with the discard pile.
Here is a further progressed board to further clarify the gameplay. Let's say it's Your Turn:
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You can steal opponent's spades, leaving you with 4 cards in your hand (for the remainder of the match, unless you spend more on a trade-in or another steal), and a second tower which is A4 (the queen is buried under the ace) and cannot be stolen (because Ace is high); or
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You can draw the 5H from the top of the discard pile and play it immediately on your hearts tower
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You can draw from the deck or discard and then play the AD or AS horizontally to start a tower
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You are not permitted to play a club, since you haven't started a tower, though you can discard it
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You can trade in all 5 of your cards and receive 3 back (though with 2 aces, that's a pretty bad play!)
Video Explanation and Rules: