Hoyle's Rules of Games [Mass Market Paperback]

Albert H. Morehead (Author), Geoffrey Mott-Smith (Author), Philip D. Morehead (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 1, 2001

In 1742, Edmond Hoyle published the definitive book on the popular game of his day, whist. Games evolve with time, just as whist gave rise to contract bridge. However, more than 250 years later, Hoyle’s is still the definitive name when it comes to the rules of the game—whether it’s bridge, backgammon, Scrabble® or Blackjack. The game player’s basic reference, this handy guide has now been updated and expanded and includes rules, strategies, and odds for over 250 games, from including such favorites as:

* Scrabble® * Canasta * Contract Bridge
* Gin Rummy * Chess * Backgammon
* Solitaire games: Nestor, Pounce, Pyramid, and Russian Bank
* Poker variations: Anaconda, Blind Tiger, and Hold ’em
* Children’s games: Beggar-your-neighbor, Memory, and Slapjack
* Computer games: Minesweeper and Freecell
* And more

Learn how to play, sharpen your strategy, and settle disputes—with this newest edition of the classic reference guide.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Philip Morehead is Head of Music Staff for Lyric Opera of Chicago. He is the son of the late Albert H. Morehead, lexicographer and games expert, the original co-editor of this book, who was Bridge Editor of the New York Times for over 25 years and the editor of many books on games. He is editor of The New American Webster Handy College Dictionary and The New American Rogets College Thesaurus and is author of The New American International Dictionary of Music. He lives in Chicago with his wife Patricia, oboist and composer.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Signet; 3 Rev Upd edition (December 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451204840
• ISBN-13: 978-0451204844
• Product Dimensions: 4 x 1.1 x 6.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,267 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Gambling
  • #27 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Reference

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a great buy December 4, 2006

By Doc Dave

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I bought this book because, although I love card games, I play pretty infrequently and often forget the rules. This book contains rules and generally clear descriptions of play for an incredibly long list of games. In addition to card games, the book covers many board games, such as Scrabble and chess, and even a few computer games. There is no question that there are books that cover individual games in much more depth, but it's hard to argue with the low price of this volume when it comes to the sheer number of brief descriptions of games that it offers. Highly recommended to have on hand.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a must have! June 7, 2000

By [e-mail]

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I first bought this book over a dispute in poker I had with a friend. You can imagine my shock when I found out he was right. Since then, the cover has been worn off my copy from repeated use. This book is great for settling disputes and learning new games. A must have for anyone who plays cards.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect June 3, 2006

By Brian & Randy VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

For anyone who plays card games and other popular games, like backgammon, checkers, and chess, this book is absolutely essential. This book is next to the table so whenever anyone plays cards in my family the book is at hand. Any time I have a question on how many cards to deal for a game or how to total points or anything, we use this book. Recommended.

21 of 26 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Hoyle's Rules of Games, Third Revised and Updated Edition February 25, 2006

By Natalie J. Caplan

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Great Book of games, only problem is the print is very tiny.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Waste of Paper May 30, 2008

By Malcolm

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Hoyle's Rules of Games, Third Revised and Updated Edition

There are easier to understand and more up-to-date descriptions of gameplay for most of the more popular games on the internet. The book is particularly weak on diagrams, which simplify understanding of many of the games tremendously. I would consider this book to be useful as supplementary information only; it would not be my first choice for learning a new game from scratch.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Necessary Book! September 25, 2010

By If you are looking for meaning in your life or perhaps trying to set goals to reach before you meet

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

When you are retired and the weather is too hot or too cold to be outside, and the television is an insult to your intelligence, values, and morals-and maybe you're not up to any hanky-panky--take out a deck of cards to play a good game with your spouse! JUST BE SURE YOU HAVE THIS BOOK TO KEEP FROM ARGUING ABOUT THE RULES!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Family Fun January 21, 2007

By Robert A. Mitchell

Format:Mass Market Paperback

We have two pre-teens and love to play games, especially while camping. We had an old Hoyles book and started to go through different variations of poker, and the kids ate it up. Now they each have their own books, and they experiment with different games together all the time. IMHO, this is so much better for them than video games or TV that words can't express my appreciation for this gaming institution.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Hoyle's Rules of Games June 4, 2008

By Mary I. Reagan

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Book is NOT user friendly, did not help me learn the game of Hearts...book is written to those that already know more than I do and my friend agreed.