Beaver Mao :: A Nonstandard Game of Mao

This is the first version of this page. ==> subject to change - Last updated 11 August 2002

A Non-Standard Game of Mao : Beaver Mao

Disclaimer: There are many different variations on the game of Mao.
This page is here to explain only one variation of Mao that orginated from my high school, which has evolved on the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and is called "Beaver Mao".
Therefore (hence, or otherwise), this game may be significantly different compared to other versions of the Mao, and the author of this page should should not be considered in any way an ArchMao.

There exists different explanations to the origin and meaning of the game of Mao. If you would like to read one theory, access: http://khopesh.iwarp.com/ent/mao.html.

From the BBC:

There is a rumored hierarchy of Mao players. This list is entirely unofficial, and has not been approved by any organization of Mao players.
             UnMao - One who has never played Mao.
             Mao - One who has played Mao.
             GrandMao - One who has learned all the rules to a certain form of Mao.
             MultiMao - One who has learned all the rules in two different forms of Mao.
             ArchMao - One who has (somehow) learned all the rules in every form of Mao

Regardless of the version, all standard games contain these basic rules of play:

The goal is to discard all of the cards in your hand.
You have to figure out the rest of the rules.

Here are some useful definitions for Mao:

Mao: the name of thiss game, said only at the beginning and end of every game.
discard (pile): where cards that have been played reside
draw (pile): where cards that have not been played are
dealer: the initiater of the game of Mao - hand out cards at the beginnig of the game
player: active participant in the game (not a spectator)
touching: contact between cards and a player's hands
Point of Order: a "timeout" durig a game

For the purposes of this site, I will make one statement, and you may take it as you will:

I can't tell you the rules, and I might be lying.

Now you are ready to start:

Every fifth and sixth rule is a lie.
Mao is played with either one, two or three decks of cards, depending on the number of players. At least two decks are recommended for groups numbering above 5 people or things. Play with all cards, except jokers.
When someone does something wrong, that player is given a card from the "draw" pile, and told the phrase in bold italics, like so.
The initial dealer, when playing with UnMaos, is the most senior GrandMao, MultiMao or ArchMao.
The dealer can do whatever he wants.
The dealer cannot play.
The dealer deals out between 1 and 13 cards to every person or thing playing; the dealer choses a single amount that can be altered between games. The dealer also decides on the version of Mao to be played.
The dealer announces:
This is a [insert version of Mao here] [insert number of cards here]-card game of Mao. Play will begin with [insert name of a person] and proceed in a [choose either clockwise or counter-clockwise] direction. You may play by suit or by number. Play begins now.
Immediatley after this, the dealer turns over the top card in the draw pile and creates a discard pile.
Players may not touch their cards with their hands before the dealer announces the start of the game. If so, dealer cards player.
Touching cards
Players may touch their cards at any time.
Each player is afforded 10 seconds to make a play; otherwise, the player is carded.
Taking too long
Always play on the card facing up on the discard pile.
If a player cannot make a play from his hand on to the discard pile, he must take a card from the draw pile. His turn is over.
If a player plays out of turn (draws or discards), then the player is carded and the game continues as if nothing happened.
Out of turn
No one may speak, except when carding or discarding.
Speaking
As long as the player makes some noise during his turn, it is still his turn - e.g. ummm... while thinking.
Time may be suspended by calling Point of Order. Everyone is free to talk, laugh, shout, curse, scream etc. during this time. Questions may be asked, but may not be answered.
Players saying Point of Order during a Point of Order are to be carded for calling Point of Orders within Point of Orders.
Calling a P. of O. within a P. of O.
A Point of Order is to be called P. of O. within a point of order. If not called a P. of O., the player is to be carded.
Saying P. of O. within a P. of O.
Players may touch their cards during a Point of Order with their hands and not be carded.
Players may NOT touch their cards during a Point of Order with their hands.
Touching cards
Players may propse rules during a Point of Order. To pass a rule, there must be a majority (half plus up to one - in the case of an odd number of players or a tie) in favor of the proposed rule. The rule takes effect immediately.
Players may quit at anytime if they disagree with the newly-instituted rules. Their cards are to be put at the bottom of the draw pile.
When playing a 2, any player may discard one card of the same suit upside down on top of the 2. If another player challenges the suit, the suit of the card i revealed; if the play is valid, the challenger must take the challenged card and may be carded. If the suit of the discard is not the same as the 2, then the discarder of the 2 must reclaim the 2 and must be carded.
I think you're lying
When playing a 2 of diamonds, player must shake hands with the next player.
Better to greet
When playing a three, the player must name a trio of things or a phrase of three words - e.g. Larry, Curly and Moe or I am cute.
Better to say a trio
When playing a four, the player must say Yop.
Better to say "Yop"
When playing a 6, player must touch his nose after his play.
Use a tissue
When playing a seven, the player must say Have a nice day.
Better to say "Have a nice day"
     Corrollary #1: When playing a seven on top of another, the player must add one very for each seven underneathe the new seven - e.g. with 3 sevens in a row: Have a very, very nice day.
     Corrollary #2: After playing a seven, the next player must respond with Thank you.
     Better to say "Thank you"
Before playing a 8, player must apologize to the player who would have been next (see next rule)
After playing an 8, the direction of play reverses.
When playing a 9, player must set on the discard pile with exactly three fingers touvhing the top of the card.
Bad placement
When playing a Jack, the first player to announce (or begin to announce a suit) changes the suit of play to that suit after the Jack is half-way on to the discard pile.
After a Queen has been set at least half-way on the discard pile, the first player to put (or slap) two cards face down on top of the Queen gets to discard those two cards.
Two-handed
Corrollary #1: If the player of the Queen first puts the two cards face down first, it must be done with one hand and a flipping motion. Otherwise, the next player to put two cards down gets to discard.
Corrollary #2: If the first player to put down an upside-down card only puts down one, then the next quickest player may leave the first of his cards down as well.
Cards discarded in this manner are to remain upside down.
Queens may not be played as a player's last discard.
Wife beater
Before playing a King, player must salute the most senior, highest-ranking Mao player playing.
Show some respect
Corrollary: If the player of the King is the most senior, highest-ranking player, then that player does not have to draw another card (see next rule).
Remember your birthright
When playing a King, the player must pick up another card from the draw pile. Otherwise, card the player with TWO cards from the draw pile.
Gifts for you
After an ace has been played, one player is skipped for every consecutive ace on the discard pile; except on every fourth ace, when the next turn goes to the player who dicarded the first ace, regardless of the amount of players that are skipped in doing so.
When playing a spade, player must call the value of the card, and of spades.
Better to say [insert value of card - e.g. 6] of spades
Diamonds are wild cards.
When changing the suit to hearts by using a Jack, consecutive plays must follow the song of Lucky Charms: hearts (already uttered to start this rule), stars, horseshoes, clovers, blue moons, pots of gold, rainbows, red balloons
Better to say [insert appropriate shape]
     Corrollary #1: skipped players and players that draw cards do not have to say anything, but the next person to play must pretend as if the shape had been used
     Corrollary #2: the order of shapes follow the direction of play
     Corrollary #3: play the order of shapes to completion, unless another Jack is used to start another round of Luck Charm, in which case the order starts over
Have questions that you simply cannot resolve about this version?
Contact GrandMao Danielle at [email protected]

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