2 teams of 2 sitting across from each other as in the game of Bridge.
Each time you go through the whole deck, that equals one period. As in hockey, you play 3 periods per game.
Each period consists of 3 hands.
You may deal 5 cards to each player in only one of the 3 hands, and the other 2 hands you must deal out 4 cards to each player.
The object is to match the card played previously. And drinks are dished out accordingly. A pass is when a single match is made. A check is when 3 identical cards in a row are played. A rumble is when 4 identical cards in a row are played. A score is when 2 matches are made by the same team with no check in between.
1st match = Pass, drink one.
2nd match (with no check in between) = Score, drink two.
3rd identical card played in a row = Check, drink two.
4th identical card played in a row = Rumble, shotgun one.
Jacks are wild. Jacks pass ONLY and NEVER score, check or rumble.
The person opposite the dealer is "Skippy the Zamboni driver" and must clean the ice between hands. If he doesn't do it before the next hand is dealt or doesn't make it clean enough, he drinks. Also Skippy is responsible for filling up everyones drinks or fetching beers. Hence the term "Skippying beers."
Nobody else but Skippy may touch the ice. If someone does they must drink. Hence the term "You touched the ice! Drink!"
The winner of the game is the team with the highest score. If the game is tied after 3 periods (decks) you will continue play in sudden death overtime until the first score is made.
Play begins to the left of the dealer, and a card is placed face up in the middle of the table. The next player may now play a card, and play continues until all cards are played. Skippy then cleans the ice, and the next hand begins by playing off the current card on top of the discard pile. When all cards are played, pass the deck to the left and you now have a new dealer and a new Skippy for the next period.
Example:
players 1 and 3 are the ODD team and players 2 and 4 are the EVEN team.
player 4 deals 4 to each player...
player 1 hand = Jack, Ace, 9, 9
player 2 hand = Queen, Jack, Ace, 7
player 3 hand = Ace, 7, 8, 10
player 4 hand = Jack, Ace, 4, 7
player 1 plays a 9 (since he has 2 and odds are that player 2 may not have one)
player 2 plays an Jack and says "Jack pass drink one." and ODD team drinks one
player 3 plays a 10 (since he can't play a Jack)
player 4 plays a Jack and says "Jack pass drink one." and ODD team drinks one (since he can't match the 10 to score and wants to keep puck control)
player 1 plays a Jack and says "Steal pass drink one." and EVEN team drinks one (since Jacks pass and never score, ODD team gains control of the puck)
player 2 plays an Ace (pure chance here)
player 3 plays an Ace and says "SCORE! Drink two." and EVEN team drinks two
player 4 plays an Ace and says "Check, drink two." and ODD team drinks two (since this check was after the score it is considered poor sportsmanship, but this IS hockey)
player 1 plays an Ace and says "Rumble. SHOTGUN one!" and EVEN team shotguns one player 2 plays a 7
player 3 plays a 7 and says "Pass drink one." and EVEN team drinks one
player 4 plays a 7 and says "Check drink two." and ODD team drinks two (Also, nobody has control of the puck at this point, and the next match will be a pass)
player 1 plays a 9 (since he played one before and player 2 couldn't match it)
player 2 plays a Queen
player 3 plays an 8
player 4 plays a 4 and says "Skippy, clean the ice."
This time player 4 chooses to deal 5...
player 1 hand = 3, 4, 8, 10
player 2 hand = Jack, 3, 6, 6
player 3 hand = King, 2, 5, 9
player 4 hand = King, 2, 5, 9
player 1 plays an 4 and says "Pass drink one." (playing off the 4 played before) and EVEN team drinks one of course
player 2 plays a Jack and says "Steal pass drink one." and ODD team drinks one
player 3 plays a 9 (since 2 were played before and odds are in his favor)
player 4 plays a 9 and says "Score, drink two!" and ODD team drinks two. (unfortunately player 4 could match any of player 3's cards)