Sevens
Build each suit out from its 7. Be first to play all your cards.
How to play Sevens
Sevens is a simple and quick card game for the whole family. It is also known as Fan Tan, Domino, Parliament or Card Dominoes. Players take turns laying cards in four rows, one row for each suit. Every row starts with a 7 and grows in both directions, down to the Ace and up to the King.
Goal
Be the first player to get rid of all your cards.
The deal
The whole deck of 52 cards is dealt out, so with three players one person gets an extra card. Here you play against 1 to 3 computer players.
Turn by turn
- The player with the 7 of diamonds starts by playing it in the middle of the table.
- Play then goes around the table. On your turn you play one card that fits the layout.
- A card fits if it is any other 7 (it starts a new row), or the next card of a row: one rank lower than the lowest card, or one rank higher than the highest card of that suit. For example, if the hearts row shows 5 to 9, you can play the 4 or the 10 of hearts.
- An Ace is the lowest card and a King the highest, so a row is full when it runs from Ace to King.
- If you have a card that fits, you must play. If no card fits, you pass and the turn moves on.
Playing on this site
Cards that fit glow and stand up a little in your hand. Tap one to play it; the glowing outlines in the layout show where cards can go. When nothing fits, press Pass (or the P key). On a keyboard, move between cards with the arrow keys and press Enter to play.
End of the game
The first player to play their last card wins. The others are ranked by how many cards they still hold: fewer is better.
Strategy tips
- Hold back the cards that block others. If you have the 6 of clubs but no lower clubs, nobody can play the 5, 4, 3, 2 or Ace of clubs until you play it. Keep it as long as you have other moves.
- Open the way for your own cards. Prefer cards that lead toward more of your own cards. If you hold the 8, 10 and Queen of spades, play the 8 early so your others can follow.
- Keep lonely 7s for later. A 7 with no other cards of its suit in your hand only helps the other players. Play it late, unless it is your only move.
- Watch who passes. A player who passes has no card that fits. That tells you which rows they cannot use, so keep those rows blocked.
- Count your ends. Aces and Kings are the last cards of a row and often come out last. If you hold several, open their rows early.
Sevens FAQ
Is Sevens the same as Fan Tan?
Yes. Sevens, Fan Tan, Domino, Parliament and Card Dominoes are names for the same layout game. Some Fan Tan versions add chips or payments for passing; this version has no betting.
Can I pass if I have a card that fits?
No. In this version you must play if you can. You may only pass when none of your cards fits the layout.
Who starts the game?
The player holding the 7 of diamonds plays it first. After that, any 7 can start its own row on a later turn.
How strong is the computer?
Easy plays a random card that fits. Medium plans which cards to hold back. Hard also simulates many possible deals of the hidden cards before each move.
