Wikipedia Article By Victor KHAN and Alton CHEWY
Q Squared Joe (also known in the abbreviated name of Q2J) is a popular card game among students at Harbord Collegiate Institute. It could be played with two to ten players, and one standard 52-card pack is used. The object of the game is to get rid of all your cards by discarding your cards based on set rules, one at a time onto a discard pile.
The Creation Process
editThe game was created by two high school students at Harbord Collegiate Institute, nicknamed Q Squared and Joe. Despite many failed attempts at creating a new, but fun card game, Q Squared and Joe kept trying to create a fun and entertaining new card game. It wasn't until their third year at this school that the concept of Q Squared Joe was created. While at their favourite hangout, they created a very rough version of a new card game where they took bits and pieces from other card games popular at this time, and added some ideas of their own. This rough version of the game would later come to be known as Q Squared Joe Classic.
However, after some testing with fellow students, Q Squared and Joe were not satisfied with this card game. They soon expanded upon this rough version to add more rules, such as the Q Squared and Joe rules. These rules added more significance to the name of this card game, and improved the overall fun factor of this card game. This version would become the normal version of Q Squared Joe.
Setup
editIn Q Squared Joe, a standard 52-card pack is used. Each player is dealt one card at a time for a total of five cards, with the fifth card of each player dealt face up. The rest of the deck being placed face down at the centre of the table. The top card is then turned face up to start the discard pile. The person with the highest card value of the face up card goes first. In case of a tie, the second card is turned over, and so on. The face up card(s) is then turned face down, and added to each player's hands.
Rules
editCard Rankings
editThe cards are ranked with K as the highest, then Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and A is lowest.
All suits are considered equal, and are not used to determine rank.
Playing Rules
editIn turn, players must discard a card onto the discard pile based on the following criteria:
1. Different Suit and Higher Number: A card can be played as long as it is of a higher value than the top card of the the discard pile. For example, a J can be played on a 4, but a 4 cannot be played on a J(considering that the cards are of different suit).
2. Same Suit and Lower Number: A card can be played on a higher value card as long as it is of the same suit. For example, 4♣ can be played on J♣, but 10♠ cannot be played on 2♥.
3. Any Ace can be played on any face card: An ace of any suit can be played on a face card of any suit. For example, an A♠ can be played on a Q♣.
4. No face cards can be played on an ace: A face card can never be played on an A, despite any suit or value rules.
5. Same Number, but you must draw a card: If a card has the same value as the one on top of the discard pile, then the player may play it, but he must pick up another card from the top of the stock.
6. Q Squared Rule: If a player is in possession of two Q in their hand, they can play them both at the same time during their turn. This rule is overrides all other rules, and can be played on top of anything. Implementing the Q Squared rule forces all players to pick up one card from the stock, and you continue with another turn.
7. Joe Rule: When a player puts the Q Squared rule into effect, a player does not need to draw a card if he/she can play a J. This will only cancel the Q Squared on your behalf. Everybody else must still draw a card, but you will be left unaffected.
If a player cannot play a card, he/she must draw a card from the stock. If the stock has run out, the discard pile can be turned over and shuffled to start a new stock.
Ending the Game
editThe first player to successfully discard his/her entire hand into the discard pile is considered the winner. However, many games are played with multiple rounds with the last player remaining from each game being eliminated from the next round. This happens until one player remains, and is declared the winner.
Variations
editMany variations of this card game was created to suit the needs of people.
Q Squared Joe Classic
editThis was the original version of Q Squared Joe, but is still played as a simplistic version. This version is usually taught to newcomers to the game before they play the normal version. In this version, only playing rules 1 to 3 apply. This allows a simplistic game while not eliminating qualities of the game such as mind games.
Q Squared Joe Face-up
editThis version of Q Squared Joe requires less luck and more skill. All the standard rules apply, and a new rule is added. All players' hands are presented face-up, and must remain face-up for the other players to see.
Q Squared Joe Challenge
editA less popular version of Q2J that can only be played with two people. One player is dealt a single card whereas the other is dealt 5. This game is very challenging for the player with 5 cards, hence the name.
Q Squared Joe Countdown
editThis version was created when some players thought the game did not last very long. In this version, when a player successfully discards his/her first hand, he/she must draw a new hand with one less card. In the case of the second hand, one must draw a new hand of 4 cards. When this hand is discarded, he or she must draw a new hand of 3 cards and so on. The person who discards the hand of 1 card first wins. This version was based on Crazy Eights and the Crazy Eights Countdown variation.