alley cat

Designed by Andrew Walker
Written by Mark S. Ball
Printable PDF

GAME OBJECTIVE  
Be the first to earn 44 points or more
PLAYERS 
2 players
CARDS
27 cards total, Ace - King in Spades and Clubs, 5 of Diamonds
RANKING
A♠♣, 2♠♣, 3♠♣ 2♠♣ 3♠♣ 4♠♣ 5♠♣♦ 6♠♣ 7♠♣ 8♠♣ 9♠♣ 10♠♣ J♠♣ 

INTRODUCTION

Alley Cat is a trick taking card game for two players.  During the game, each player tries to win tricks that are as valuable as possible.  A trick’s value is determined by finding the difference between the two cards within it.  Watch out for the alley cat.  Whoever captures it in the trick will lose points from their score.    

MATERIALS

Strip a standard 52 card deck down to aces up through kings in spades and clubs.  Also keep the 5 of diamonds to form a 27 card deck.  A cribbage board is recommended for keeping score, but a piece of paper and pencil works fine.

SETUP 

Shuffle and deal six cards to each player.  Place the rest of the deck face down to form the stock.  Deal alternates each round.

PLAY

The non-dealer begins the first trick with any card from their hand.  The opposite player then plays any card from their hand.  Whoever plays the card with the highest rank wins the trick.  If two cards with the same rank are played, the club card beats the spade.  For example, if a 6♠ and a 6♣ are played to the trick, the 6♣ wins.  Keep captured tricks organized for scoring at the end of the round.

DRAW
The player who loses the trick draws one card from the stock.  The trick-winner does not draw.

CONTINUE PLAY
The trick-winner leads the next trick, and play continues as described until one player runs out of cards.  This ends the round.

THE ALLEY CAT
The 5♦ is a special card called the alley cat.  When it is played, the trick-winner must draw a card rather than the trick-loser.  The trick-loser leads the next trick.  Note that the 5♦ ranks higher than the 5♠ and 5♣.

ENDING THE ROUND
The round ends as soon as a player is out of cards.

SCORE  

Each trick is worth the difference in value between each card.  For example, if a trick contains a 6 and a 2, that trick is worth four points.  If a trick contains two cards of the same rank, it is worth zero points.

SCORING THE ALLEY CAT
The trick containing the alley cat is worth negative points.  Determine the value of the trick like normal but subtract that number from your score.

WIN

Continue playing rounds until one player reaches 44 points or more.  That player is the winner.

ALTERNATIVE SCORING METHOD
Score tricks as soon as they are captured.  When playing this way, the game ends as soon as one player reaches 44 points or more.

Alley Cat v1.0.0 | Last Updated 4/1/2023 | Originally Published 4/1/2023