Game Rules
Thirty-OneGet as close to 31 as you can

A fast combination game. Swap cards and get as close as possible to 31 points in a single suit.

Players2 – 9
Time10 – 15 min
Deck32 or 52 cards · 1 deck
LevelEasy
I · The Idea

31 is the
perfect target

I

Thirty-One (known in Germany as Schwimmen or Knack) is a fast German card game. Each player holds 3 cards and tries to bring their total in one suit as close to 31 as possible.

Three Aces in one hand (“Fire”) win automatically and immediately. Whoever is “swimming” gets one last chance before being knocked out.

II · Setup

Before the
game begins

II
1
Deal the cards
Each player receives 3 hand cards. 3 cards go face up on the table.
2
Hand out lives
Each player gets 2–3 “lives” (tally marks or chips) at the start.
3
Point values
Ace = 11, face cards = 10, number cards = face value. Only one suit counts.
Before you start

Swap deliberately for cards of the same suit – three cards of different suits score practically nothing.

III · Card Values
How to maximise
your points
III
31
Perfect hand
Ace+King+Queen
Three cards of the same suit with Ace, King and a face card: exactly 31 points.
F
Fire
Instant win
Three Aces of different suits in one hand: wins automatically on the spot.
T
Swap
One or all
Swap one or all three cards with the table cards to improve your score.
S
Swimming
Last chance
Whoever loses their last life may “swim” once – a final round without risk.
IV · Gameplay

Turn by
turn

IV
1
Swap cards
In turn: swap one, all three, or none of your hand cards with the table cards.
2
Knock
If you're happy with your hand, you can knock – after that everyone gets just one more turn.
3
Reveal
Everyone reveals their hand and compares the highest score in a single suit.
4
Lose a life
The lowest score loses a life. At 0: knocked out (unless swimming).
5
Winner
The last player with lives remaining wins the game. A Fire (three Aces) ends the round immediately.
V · Variants
Variants
V

Thirty-One is popular in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

32
With a 32-card deck
A more compact variant with fewer cards in play.
K
Knack
The Austrian name for almost identical rules.
∅
Without the Fire rule
A simplified variant without the instant win from three Aces.
9
Big table
With up to 9 players and all the extra tension that brings.
VI · Tips & Tricks

What really
matters

VI
Strategy Tips
+

Swap consistently towards a single suit – don't spread your cards across several suits, that almost never scores enough.

+

Only knock when your hand is genuinely competitive – knocking too early just hands the other players a final chance.

+

Watch which cards the other players take from the table – it reveals which suit they're probably building.

+

Use your swimming chance deliberately – it's a risk-free extra round once you've already lost a life.

Common Mistakes
–

Keeping cards of different suits when a consistent single-suit strategy would score far more points.

–

Knocking too early with a mediocre hand instead of waiting to see if a better combination comes together.

–

Forgetting the Fire rule (three Aces) and thereby missing or misjudging a winning chance.

–

Swapping with the table without thinking about which card you're offering to the next player.

Berlin Hold'em · Matching Decks
Get the right deck

Thirty-One is fast and entertaining – instantly playable with a standard deck.

View all designs →
20s Playing Cards – Twin Pack For bigger groups and long game nights. View product Viking Playing Cards – Twin Pack Two decks, ideal for 5+ players. View product
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