A simple card game using a normal deck of playing cards. It has a very interesting element of strategy. It is not always wise to try and play out your cards as quickly as you can, because the less cards in your hand, the greater the chance you will not be able to take a turn. It is a game of subtle balance.
SADDLE RULES
OBJECTIVE
Saddle is a two player card game, the objective of which is to get rid of all of your cards or be the last to take a turn.
THE DECK
A standard 52-card deck, ranked from ace (1) to King.
SETUP
Each player starts with 12 cards dealt face down. Two cards are placed separately face up to begin two discard piles. The remainder of the cards become the draw pile.
PLAY
Players take turns matching a card from their hand by rank or suit with the top card in one of the discard piles, but not both. The card placed is called the saddle. Based upon that, one card or more may be added before the turn ends. (this is not a requirement) Any additional cards placed must either be all of the same rank as the saddle or sequentially up or down from it. (not both) Added cards may be of different suits. At no time do players pick up any new cards. A player wins if he gets rid of all his cards or his opponent is unable to take a turn.
SCORING
After each game the winning player gets one point for each card remaining in his opponents hand, and when one player reaches 13 points he wins the match.