Q&A for How to Play Mao

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  • Question
    How many rules do we start with?
    Janice Tieperman
    Community Answer
    You can start with as many rules as you’d like! There’s no official handbook to Mao, so you can make up new rules for your game, if you’d like.
  • Question
    Can I change the game play depending on how I see fit?
    Janice Tieperman
    Community Answer
    If you want, yes! There’s not hard and fast set of rules for Mao, and individual players can customize the game to their own preferences.
  • Question
    When you answer our question about the game, don't you technically tell us a rule of the game?
    Janice Tieperman
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it’s impossible for players to understand or enjoy the game if at least 1 person doesn’t have a comfortable understanding of how the game works. If multiple players are confused about the game, you can always call a point of order in the middle of the round.
  • Question
    How does adding rules work?
    Hadleighpierce
    Community Answer
    Usually, if you win a round by getting rid of all your cards first, you can either add a rule or change a rule. For instance, you could add that you have to clap once after you play a club (adding a rule) or you could change a rule, like, instead of saying "have a nice day" after playing a 7, you could say "have a nice night."
  • Question
    How many cards should each person have?
    Community Answer
    Usually 5-8, although it's completely up to you. The game tends to be shorter when less cards are given; however, a game of Mao is still very long, especially when teaching new players.
  • Question
    Why can't you tell the rules?
    Hadleighpierce
    Community Answer
    Part of the fun is trying to figure out what the rules are.
  • Question
    What are the "points of order" used for?
    Hadleighpierce
    Community Answer
    Typically, point of order is used to clarify any questions, but be careful not to directly say any of the rules. If someone doesn't understand why they or another player was penalized, they can call a point of order and ask. Players are supposed to be silent during the game, and can only speak during point of order.
  • Question
    Can the dealer draw any cards or punish themselves?
    Community Answer
    As stated in the article, some groups prefer to have multiple players who know the rules, so it is fair. However, if there isn't, there really isn't any way the dealer would want to penalize themselves. All players must draw cards when they cannot play something and play continues.
  • Question
    Can the Mao make up rules for no reason?
    Community Answer
    The Mao is able to make up whatever rules they want, as long as they are consistent throughout an entire game.
  • Question
    What if there are no cards left in the middle?
    Community Answer
    Take cards from the middle pile that everybody is contributing to, shuffle them, and place them upside down as the new middle pile. Leave the card that was on top though so the game can continue being played.
  • Question
    Do 2s reverse the game?
    Community Answer
    No, 8s reverse the order of which cards are played in. When playing a 2, the game moves on (unless the Mao chooses to make up an extra rule).
  • Question
    What are the rules around "have a nice day" when playing Mao?
    Community Answer
    Typically Have A Nice Day happens when a 7 is played. The person who played the seven says: "Have a nice day." The next person either draws a card or plays another 7 and says "Have a very nice day." This continues adding one "very" every time time a 7 is played until someone is forced to draw. This unlucky player must draw an amount of cards equal to the number of "very's" plus one (i.e., "Have a Very Very Very nice day" means the player would have to draw 4 cards).
  • Question
    What do you say when you lay an ace?
    Community Answer
    Say nothing, the other people around you must know. And if for example, you lay an ace and initially everyone was playing clockwise, then the person to your left plays instead to your right, you would give that person a penalty for an incorrect play, and the person to your right a penalty for taking too long (as the moment you laid down the ace was technically when their turn began).
  • Question
    What needs to be said to start the game?
    Community Answer
    In order to start a game, you can just say "Mao". That lets everyone know they can pick up their cards and the game can begin.
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