What Is Thirty-One?
Thirty-One (also called Scat or Blitz) is a quick, fun card game where each player holds 3 cards and tries to get as close to 31 as possible in a single suit. On each turn you swap a card with the face-up discard. When you feel confident enough, knock to end the round — but the last player to knock is eliminated.
What You Need
- A standard 52-card deck
- 3 to 9 players
- Coins or chips as ‘lives’ (3 each is traditional)
Card Values
- Aces: 11 points
- Face cards (K, Q, J): 10 points each
- Number cards 2–10: face value
- Only cards of the SAME suit add up. If you hold 8♥ + K♣ + 5♠, your highest single suit = 8 (only the Heart).
- Exception: Three of a kind (same rank, different suits) = 30.5 points, which beats everything except 31 exactly.
Setup
- Give each player 3 lives (coins or chips).
- Deal 3 cards to each player.
- Flip the top remaining card to start the discard pile.
How to Play — Step by Step
- On your turn: draw the top discard OR draw from the stock.
- After drawing, discard one card face-up to end your turn.
- Your goal: build toward 31 in one suit — 10+10+A = 31 in Hearts is a perfect hand.
- Knock: Instead of drawing, knock on the table. All OTHER players get one more turn, then everyone reveals hands.
- The player with the lowest total loses a life and is eliminated.
Instant 31
If you ever have 31 in your hand (before or right after drawing), reveal immediately — everyone else loses a life!
Last Life
A player on their last life is ‘on the stump’ — they survive one loss without cost, but the next loss eliminates them.
Winning
Last player remaining with any lives wins.
Strategy Tips
- Focus on one suit early — trying to balance two suits wastes draws.
- Knock at 25 or above — holding out for more is risky.
- Knock early if you hold a strong hand and at least two opponents are drawing heavily.