Yankee Notions Games

diarmuid21
Nov 26
3 min read

We've discussed our recreation of the extraordinary Yankee Notions deck, probably devised by the chess and whist authority Thomas Frere. In this post we will introduce the games, and provide the originals, as well as a downloadable modernisation.

Here is the complete set of 50 cards, to remind you

If you want to buy a copy printed on demand at Make Playing Cards, you can do so here.

The Deck

50 cards total, divided into two classes:
- Faces (Upper Ten) — caricature figures serving as a permanent trump suit.
- Figures (Lower Forty) — four pip suits: Flags, Eagles, Stars, Shields.
Each suit numbered 1–9 plus Zero (Z), called a Grace.
The Faces suit includes characters such as Mrs. Sally Smith, the Baby, the Old Maid, the Parson, Ruth the Quakeress, Ezekiel, the Watchman, and John Smith (the faced Zero).

General Rules

Deal: Always passes to the elder hand (player left of the dealer).
Cutting: Cut on the right; deal and play to the left.
Elder Hand: The player to the dealer’s left leads first.
Following the Lead: Players must follow suit if possible; otherwise, they may play any card.
Pool: Many games use counters (corn kernels, coffee beans, or cut cards) as stakes.
Book: A fixed number of tricks (often 6 or 7) required before extra tricks score points.
Counters: Provided by the publisher, but any small tokens may be used.
Talon: The undealt remainder of the pack.
Graces (Zeros): Highest card in each suit, with special scoring roles.

Special Notes

Faces suit acts as a secondary trump class in many games, superior to ordinary suits but inferior to the declared trump.
John Smith (faced Zero) has unique interactions, especially with his wife Sally Smith (faced Ace), who can capture him regardless of trumps.
Games vary in how they use tricks, pools, or mathematical combinations, but all emphasize calculation, memory, and playful satire.

Spirit of the Pack

Marketed as a domestic, moral, and educational alternative to gambling cards.
Promised to “discipline and exercise the mind” while offering amusement.
Sold at 25 cents per pack, with a booklet of 16 original games.

These are the games in a simplified form

This is a cleaned version of the original. It may have errors, and we will upload a final version presently.

Trick‑Taking & Partnership Games

Tilters – Partnership trick game; Faces act as secondary trumps; Zeros (Graces) highest in suit.
Quien Sabe – Trick game with bidding and uncertainty; players declare “who knows” when unable to follow suit.
John Smith – Character‑driven trick game; Sally Smith captures John; priority scoring order emphasizes his role.
Double Couples – Partnership game focused on pairs and double pairs; John + Sally couple scores extra.
Robin (Forty Thieves) – Pairing game; collect “robins” (pairs); bonus for capturing all 40 thieves.

Calculation & Pool Games

Pick‑Nick – Pool game; players discard fifteens; lowest surplus wins.
Saratoga – Calculation game; score by making tens; Faces and special pairs (Pent, Bipent) have unique values.
Chance Ten – Blind variant of Saratoga; players draw and try to make tens; suspenseful and luck‑driven.
Bunkum – Auction game; discard fifteens; bid for Zilias (extra cards) to reduce surplus.
Trikonta (Thirty) – Calculation game; build exact multiples of 30; Faces and Graces add twists.
Hekaton (Hundred) – Grand finale; build exact totals of 100; multiple sets per turn possible; John + Sally double scores.

Set‑Building & Parlor Games

Triplets (Triples) – Collect three‑of‑a‑kind and higher multiples; quintuple sets (Cinkers) possible with five suits.
Black Joke – Penalty game; avoid being caught with the black Zero; satirical precursor to Old Maid.
Mum – Bluff game; enforced silence; players reveal sets simultaneously; penalties for speaking.

Adaptations of Existing Traditions

Cribbage – Pegging game adapted to five suits; Zeros act as wilds; John + Sally bonus.
Jockey Club– Racing‑themed game; runs advance jockeys; pairs/triplets as obstacles; first to finish wins.