TWENTY-ONE RULES

VÄNDTIA RULES - HOW TO PLAY THE CLASSIC CARD GAME

Vändtia is one of the most loved and played card games in Sweden. It is a true classic when it comes to entertainment for the whole family and is equally suitable for children and adults. It's a fast-paced, unpredictable and strategic game of getting rid of all your cards first. Whether you're on a rainy summer holiday, curled up in the mountain cabin after a long day on the slopes, or just having a cosy evening at home around the coffee table, flipping is a great choice that's guaranteed to bring lots of laughs.

To make the game night even more varied and entertaining, it can be a great idea to combine card games with other activities right from the start. Why not warm up or take a break between rounds and challenge the family with some funny quiz questions children? An entertaining and child-friendly quiz keeps the mind active and is a perfect way to raise the spirits before the next round of flipping starts. In this comprehensive guide, we go through all the rules, preparation and strategies in detail so you can quickly get started and play like a pro.

WHAT IS VÄNDTIA AND WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

Vändtia is essentially a card game for two or more players. It is played with a standard international deck of 52 cards, and no jokers are used. The overall objective of the game is very simple to understand: the player who first manages to get rid of absolutely all his cards - both the cards in his hand and the cards placed on the table in front of him - is the winner.

Although the basic rules are simple, the game requires a good balance of luck and tactics, making it extremely exciting for players of all ages. You have to constantly plan your moves, keep track of what cards your opponents are playing and know exactly when to use your special cards for maximum effect. According to historical sources and information from Wikipedia the game probably has its roots in northern Sweden. It is also interesting to note that the game sometimes goes by completely different names depending on where in the country you are - in some regions, for example, it is called "skitubbe" or "Spanish skitubbe" - but the basic rules are pretty much always the same.

PREPARATION: HOW TO DEAL THE CARDS IN THE TURNSTILE

The preparation and the actual distribution of the cards is a very important and unique part of the turnaround. This is where the foundation of your whole strategy is laid. Here's how to go about dealing the cards correctly to all players:

1.
The hidden cards: Each player is first dealt three cards, which are placed in a row face up on the table in front of them. These cards are secret and must not be looked at by anyone, not even the player.

2.
The face-up cards: Next, three more cards are dealt to each player. These cards are placed face up, one by one, directly on top of the three face-down cards. Now each player has three piles of two cards in front of them.

3.
Hand cards: Finally, each player is dealt three cards to hold in their hand. These are the cards that will be used first when the game starts.

4.
The Draw Pile: The rest of the deck, the cards left over after the deal, are placed in the centre of the table face up. This will be the draw pile, or talon, from which players will draw new cards during the course of the game.

The important exchange: Before the very first card is played, each player has a unique opportunity to exchange one, two or all three cards in their hand for the face-up cards on the table. This is a crucial tactical moment. A very good and proven tip is to keep high cards (such as aces, kings and queens) and special cards (such as 2s and 10s) on the table. These cards will be extremely valuable at the end of the game when the draw pile is exhausted and you have to rely on the cards you have saved in front of you.

THE BASIC RULES OF THE GAME

Once all players have finished taking turns and are happy with their cards, the game can finally begin. The player with the lowest card in their hand (usually a 3, as 2s are special cards) is usually given the honour of starting by placing this card in the centre of the table, thus starting the discard pile. If several players have the same lowest card, you can, for example, let the youngest player start, or the one sitting to the left of the dealer.

-
Laying down cards: When it is your turn, you must lay down a card from your hand that is equal to or higher than the card on top of the discard pile. For example, if the top card is a 6, you must play a 6, 7, 8 or higher. You are also allowed to play several cards of exactly the same suit at the same time (for example, two 8s or three Jacks), provided they are equal to or higher than the card in the pile.

-
Drawing new cards: As long as there are cards left in the draw pile in the centre of the table, you must always ensure that you have at least three cards in your hand. This means that immediately after you have played one or more cards, you must immediately draw the corresponding number of new cards from the draw pile so that you again have at least three cards. If you have more than three cards in your hand (which can happen if you were forced to pick up the pile earlier), you do not need to draw any new cards.

-
When you can't fold: This is the big penalty of the game. If it is your turn and you find that you have no card in your hand that is equal to or higher than the top card of the discard pile (and you have no 2s or 10s), you must pick up the entire discard pile and put it in your hand. The turn then immediately passes to the next player. This can leave you with an awful lot of cards in your hand, but it also gives you more choices going forward.

THE SPECIAL CARDS THAT TURN THE GAME AROUND

What really makes vändtia such a dynamic and fun game are the special cards. These cards break the usual rules and can quickly change who has the upper hand in the game.

-
2's (Start over): A 2 is a great defence card. It can be placed on any other card, regardless of its denomination. When a 2 is played, the pile "starts over". This means that the player next to you (or you, depending on your local rules) can play any card to restart the value ladder.

-
10s (Turn Away): This is the most important card in the game, as its name suggests. A 10 can also be placed on any card. When a 10 is played, something magical happens: the entire discard pile is "turned away" and permanently removed from play. The pile is set aside and no longer used. The player who played the 10 may then immediately play a new card of his/her choice from his/her hand to start a completely new discard pile.

-
Four of the same denomination: There is another way to turn the pile over. If four cards of exactly the same denomination are placed in a row in the discard pile (for example, four 7s), the pile is also turned over, just as if someone had played a 10. This can be done by one player laying all four cards at the same time, or by several players in a row laying the same denomination until there are four on top. The player who placed the fourth card then gets to start a new pile.

THE PLAYOFFS: THE TABLE CARDS AND THE DECIDER

The game changes character and becomes even more exciting when the draw pile in the centre runs out. From now on, players can no longer draw new cards to refill their hands.

Once you have played the very last card from your hand, and the draw pile is empty, it is finally time to start using the cards you have saved on the table. You start with the three face-up cards. You play these cards just as you normally would - you must follow the rules for laying equal or higher. If you can't fold any of your face-up cards, you must pick up the entire discard pile in your hand again. Then you must first play all these hand cards before you can continue with your face-up table cards again.

Once you have successfully played all your face cards, the last and most nerve-wracking challenge remains: the three hidden cards. These cards must be played "blind". When it's your turn, choose one of the hidden cards and turn it face up. If the card is equal to or higher than the card in the discard pile (or if it is a 2 or a 10), the move is successful. If, on the other hand, the card is too low, the move fails. You must then pick up both the failed card and the entire discard pile in your hand!

The first player to play all their hand cards, all their face-up table cards and finally all their face-down table cards wins the game!

MORE TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL GAME NIGHT

As I said, playing turnstiles is a great way to socialise and have fun together. But a great game night can include more than just a single game. If you're looking for even more tips on entertaining games, board games and activities for the whole family, we strongly recommend that you check out our big and inspiring guide to family game. You'll find plenty of reviews, rules and ideas to keep the fun going for many hours.

Vändtia is a timeless, classic Swedish card game that offers plenty of laughs, unexpected twists and strategic challenges. By keeping a close eye on how the special cards work, planning your turns at the start of the game and playing your cards smartly, you dramatically increase your chances of being the ultimate winner. So gather your family or friends, shuffle the deck properly, pour some tasty snacks and enjoy a fantastic and memorable gaming experience together!