Games we used to play

Before there were computers and phones and gadgets, entertainment came in the form of games.

By games, I mean those using a deck of cards or some board game, where two or more players participated.

It's incredible how many games can be played with just 52 cards. And it didn't have to involve money like it does in casinos. Sure, we can have small bets just to add excitement but it was more out of fun than to seriously make money.

Card games or board games typically became rowdy, when things heat up. Someone on a winning streak or inversely, on a losing streak, lead to raised voices and lots of laughter and ribbing.

My late Dad loved such games. And he made sure to teach us so we could join in on the fun. So, there was always a deck of cards at home, which he either got from an airline or a casino.

One game that served as initiation for kids playing cards is called Monkey-Monkey (Unggoy-Ungguyan), a Filipino version of Old Maid. It's basically a pairing game, where one card is kept secret before the rest are dealt out to all players, which can be anywhere from two to nine.

Whoever ends up with the card matching the secret one loses. Since there are no bets, a consequence must be agreed upon. It's usually a silly one like everyone flicking the loser's ear, or dusting the face with powder.

At the start of the game, everyone lays down all their paired cards. They then take turns picking a card from the player beside them (moving clockwise) in hopes of getting a match for their remaining cards, so they can lay these down. In the end, whoever is holding the pair to the secret card loses.

The more players, the more boisterous the atmosphere. And it does get quite rowdy especially when one participant keeps losing! Yes, some get very annoyed at never winning and have been known to walk out, but it's just for a while.

A second card game taught to us is 'Pekwa'. I don't know if there's an English equivalent to the game but it's like a Card Domino. It's a four-player game. The cards are all dealt out to each player. Whoever has a 7 of any suit can start the game.

The cards are laid out by suit, with players taking turn until each suit is completed. The goal is to be first to lay down all your cards, which can be accomplished by blocking other players. You simply have to hold the card that is needed to move on to the next number. Below is an example:

In the image above, to complete the bottom half of the Hearts, the 3, 2, and Ace are missing. As long as you aren't holding the Ace or 2 of hearts, you can delay laying down the 3 of hearts to prevent the players with the last two cards from getting a turn and instead use other cards of other suits that you have on hand.

You do not want to be the player holding most of the end cards (3, 2, Ace and Jack, Queen, King) of more than one suit because that will surely spell L.O.S.E.R. But since the cards are dealt out randomly, you never really know what you're going to get.

Here is what a completed suit looks like:

If you want to really win big, you want the last card you lay down to be the 7 of Diamonds, which means a 'Pekwa', and if there are bets, that means winning double (if players agree to it at the beginning). This is a fun game although only four can play. It becomes a riot because of the spectators, who often react when they see a player's hand, or when someone does a good job of blocking the others.

If you're blocked and don't have any card to put down, you lose your turn and end up holding more cards longer. So, the object is to GET RID OF ALL YOUR CARDS PRONTO!

I'm sure most of the younger generation are unfamiliar with this game. After all, it isn't played on a phone or gadget. But from experience, when they do get to play, they find it a lot of fun, and will play more games.

The best part of playing card games is actual interaction with people. It is not virtual. Not onscreen. It is face-to-face, so you can watch everyone and see their reactions and behavior to help you strategize.

It is an 'oldie' game, meaning an elder person passed it down. It was my Dad and his cousins who taught the younger ones, and we've been teaching the GenZ kids. To bump up the fun, try playing with small bets. Small as in 1 peso or 5 pesos per game. We did it for 25 centavos then, hahaha!

So, if you can hunt up a deck of cards (I love the smell and feel of new ones!), do try playing a round of some card game. You never know... it might get you addicted, too!

All images are original