How to Play Black Maria

Black Maria is a brilliant card game that can be played with 3-6 players. Played all around the world, it’s believed that the origins of the game started all the way back in the First World War, with soldiers inventing the game to pass away the time in the trenches.

Although it has a long history, it’s fair to say that for many, Black Maria is a card game they may have never heard of. If you are one of those people then there is no need to panic. In this quick and handy guide, we will tell you everything you need to know.

Black Maria – The Basics

In order to play Black Maria, you will need between three and six players to start the game. To begin, all 52 cards in a deck need to be dealt out to all of the players. The cards should be handed out face-down so that no other players can see what the other is holding.

To make sure there is an even number of cards, if you are playing a three-man game, the 2 of clubs should be removed from the deck. If you are playing with five, both the 2 of clubs and 2 of diamonds should be removed, and if you are playing with six players, all four 2s should be taken out of the deck.

Once every player has their cards, the game can begin.

An Extension of Hearts

Once you start playing the game, you will realise that Black Maria is very similar to the game Hearts, as the two games share a lot of the same features.

The ultimate aim of Black Maria is to avoid high penalty scoring cards and to complete a hand by accumulating as low a score as possible. There are many cards that should be avoided. One point is added for every heart won, and seven points if you win a hand containing the Ace of Spades. Players get ten points for picking up the King of Spades and thirteen for picking up the most dreaded card of all, the Queen of Spades.

Getting Started

To begin the hand, each player should pick up their cards and pass three cards to the person on their left. Normally, these cards will be high-scoring.

Each hand will then consist of tricks. Similarly to hearts, the player to the left of the dealer will start the game, and whatever suit they lead with must be followed by the other players.

If the next player doesn’t have the same suit as the lead-off player, only when they have can they play another card. In order to win a trick, the person who puts down the card of the highest value from the suit that led the hand will be classed as the winner of the hand.

Let’s say that Ben, Lisa and Harry are playing. If Ben leads with the eight of clubs, Lisa lays the five of clubs, and Harry the three of clubs, it is Ben who will win the hand.

By winning the previous hand, Ben will lead off again. This time, he plays the nine of clubs, and Lisa plays the four of clubs in response while Harry is out of clubs. Harry can now play any card he likes. He has the King of Spades. By playing that card, Ben will still win the hand, but he will also accumulate ten penalty points.

The game will continue in this fashion until all the cards have been placed. All of the penalty points will be accumulated, and the game will end once someone reaches a hundred points. Once someone has surpassed the 100-point barrier, the player with the lowest score will be the winner.

Where Can You Play Black Maria?

Although you can’t play Black Maria at popular poker and card sites such as Pokerstars at the moment, there are apps you can download, and of course, you can play at home. All you need is one deck of cards, and you should be good to go!