31 Card Game (Scat)
31 — also called Scat or Blitz — is a quick draw-and-discard card game. Hold three cards, build the highest total you can in a single suit, and knock when you think you are ahead. Hit exactly 31 and everyone else loses a life.
How to play 31 Card Game
- Everyone is dealt three cards and starts with three lives. One card is turned up to start the discard pile.
- Your hand is worth the total of cards in one suit: Aces count 11, Kings, Queens and Jacks 10, other cards their number. For example A♥ K♥ 4♣ is worth 21. Three of a kind is worth 30.
- On your turn, draw the top card of the stock or take the top discard, then discard one card so you are back to three. You may not throw back the card you just took from the discard pile.
- Instead of drawing you may knock (not during the first round). Every other player gets one more turn, then all hands are shown.
- At the showdown the player with the lowest hand loses a life. If the knocker is lowest on their own, they lose two. If the knocker ties for lowest, the other tied players lose a life.
- Reach exactly 31 (Ace plus two ten-cards of one suit) and you blitz: the hand ends at once and every other player loses a life.
- Players with no lives left are out. The last player still in wins — if you are knocked out, the game is over.
Controls
- Tap the stock or the discard to draw, then tap a card in your hand to discard it.
- Press Knock at the start of your turn to call for the showdown.
- Keyboard: D draws from the stock, T takes the discard, K knocks. Tab to a card and press Enter to discard it.
Tips
- Pick one suit early and commit to it — mixed hands rarely beat 25.
- Knocking early with 26 or 27 often wins: your opponents get only one turn to catch up.
- Watch the discard pile: if an opponent keeps taking hearts, do not throw hearts their way.
- Three of a kind (30) is a strong hand, but only exact 31 ends the hand instantly.
FAQ
What are the rules of the 31 card game?
Each player holds three cards and tries to get as close to 31 as possible in one suit. Draw, then discard each turn. Knock to start the final round; the lowest hand at the showdown loses a life. Exactly 31 wins the hand outright.
How do you score in 31?
Count only the cards of your best suit: Ace 11, face cards 10, number cards face value. Three of a kind counts 30. The best possible hand is 31.
What happens when you knock in 31?
Everyone else gets one last turn, then all hands are revealed. If you, the knocker, have the lowest hand on your own, you lose two lives instead of one.
Is 31 the same as Scat and Blitz?
Yes. Scat, Blitz and Thirty-One are names for the same game, with small house-rule differences such as how many lives you start with.