How to play
All 52 cards are dealt out, so some players may have one more than others. Whoever holds the 7 of diamonds plays it first.
On your turn, play one card:
- a 7 of a suit that isn’t on the table yet, starting that suit’s row, or
- a card next to a row: one above its highest card or one below its lowest. A row grows from its 7 up to the king and down to the ace.
If you can play, you must. If you can’t, you pass. The first player to get rid of every card wins.
Sevens is also known as Fan Tan, Domino, Parliament and Card Dominoes.
Tips
When you have a choice, play the card that leads to more of your own cards. A 6 or 8 is a key: if you hold the 5 and 4 behind it, play it early; if you hold nothing behind it, keep it back as long as you can, because it only opens the way for everyone else. Aces and kings can’t block anyone, so they’re safe to hold.