Swoop Card Game

Brad Johansen

About this game

In Swoop Card Game players attempt to be the first to play all the cards in their hand into a pile in the center of the table. The pile is removed whenever four cards* of the same number are played in succession, or when a 10 or Joker is played. Players who cannot play a card equal in number or lower than the top pile card must pick up the pile and add it to their hand. Four face-down mystery cards add a unique element of strategy. A hand ends when a player plays his/her last card. Remaining players count points of un-played cards in their hands, and a game ends when a player reaches 300 points.

Players:
You play against three AI Opponents - Left, Top, and Right.

Card Deck:
Swoop uses two combined decks of standard playing cards. Additionally, four Jokers are added, making a total of 108 cards.

Point values of cards are as follows:
- Ace-Nine: face-value (1-9) points
- Jack, Queen, King: 10 points
- Ten, Joker (Swoop Card): 50 points

Playing the Game:
1. Play begins by dealing 19 cards to each player. Players then place 4 of these cards face-down on the table (Mystery Cards) and cover each of them with 1 card face-up. The remaining 11 cards are held in players' hands.

2. Player to the left of the dealer is first to play. With the dual objectives of getting rid of both cards and points, the player creates the Pile by placing up to four cards* of the same number (suit is irrelevant) face-up in the center of the table. Cards may be played from the player's hand, or the 4 face-up cards covering the Mystery Cards. Any time the top four* Pile cards are of the same number a Swoop is achieved, and the Pile is removed from the table. Player continues until he/she cannot achieve a Swoop, at which time play passes to the left.

3. Subsequent players play cards according to the following options:
- Cards of the same number that are equal to or less than the number of the top Pile card. Any time the last four cards* on the Pile are of the same number, a Swoop is achieved, the Pile is removed, and the player takes another turn.
- A card that is greater in number than the top Pile card. Player must take and add the Pile to his/her hand at the time the higher card is played. Player may then play additional cards* of the same number from his/her hand, including those from the Pile. If four cards* of the same number are played, a Swoop is achieved and the player takes another turn.
- A Swoop card (10 or Joker). The Pile, along with the Swoop card, are removed and the player takes another turn. Swoop cards can only be played at the start of a turn.
- A face-down Mystery Card whose covering top card has already been played. Player may not look at the Mystery Card before playing it. If it is higher in number than the top Pile card, the Pile must be taken and added to the player's hand. Player may continue to play additional cards* of the same number as the Mystery Card, up to four cards* which achieve a Swoop. Mystery Cards can only be played at the start of a turn.

Winning the Hand:
When a player plays his/her last card, the hand is over. Remaining players count the points of all un-played cards, including any face-down Mystery cards. The deal passes to the next player on the left.

Winning the Game:
The game is over when one or more players reach 300 points. Player with the lowest score is the winner. In the event of a tie, the rule is two-tie, all-tie, and a win is not awarded.

*Rules Options (available in Settings)
- Maximum of four cards allowed in a Swoop: Yes/No
- Matching cards can be played after the Pile is taken: Yes/No

Ratings and reviews

Opponents in the game do not play like humans would. For example, when opponent to the current player's left is low on cards and ready to go out, the current player will typically play a high card instead of an Ace or a two. Additionally, the distribution of cards to players in each round is not realistic. Starting player does not rotate to next player at beginning of each round. This app needs work!

A very streamlined game of Swoop. It has the rules written out, but it's probably best if you already know how to play (or otherwise look it up online). There's some adjustability on the rules you use (a max of 4 cards being played; the score that ends the game; whether you can play a card after taking the pile), which is nice.

The game looks very interesting and fun! However, there's a problem with some cards in the player's hand not fully visible, especially at the start of the game, because the left-side opponent's hand covers them partially, preventing you from knowing the rank (though not the suit) of those cards. And this even though my display settings are at their default values. EDIT (Sept.9): Now the app won't even do anything when pressing either of the 3 buttons (Play, Info and Settings)!

What’s new

Option to charge 20 points for remaining Aces