How to Play Maw
Description
The card game reportedly favoured by James VI of Scotland. A five-trick game where the Five of Trumps is the single most powerful card on the table — and you're never obliged to play it.
Also known as: Five Cards
Objective
Win at least three of the five tricks in the hand.
Setup
Three to five players, traditionally best with four or five, using a standard deck.
Deal five cards to each player, then turn up the next card to set trump.
Rules
A fixed set of top trumps always ranks above everything else, regardless of the trump suit: the Five of trumps, then the Jack of trumps, then the Ace of Hearts.
Follow suit if you can, using the usual trick-taking convention — highest card of the suit led wins, or highest trump if any was played.
The winner of each trick leads the next.
Winning
Take at least three of the five tricks and you win the hand.
Taking all five tricks is a stronger win, scoring more.