Kemps Card Game
Kemps is a card game played in pairs. The goal is obtain four-of-a kind and then to use a secret signal to get your partner to call out “Kemps!”
- Materials Required: A standard deck of 52 playing cards.
- Recommended Number of People: 3-5 pairs (6-10 people).
How Do You Play the Kemps Game?
Setup
Kemps Card Game Online
First, ensure that you have an even number of people. This is required since this game involves pairs playing together. Randomly assign partners. Then, have each pair meet to determine a secret, subtle signal. This signal needs to be non-verbal and nothing too obvious. Some examples might include: puckering lips, winking one eye, scratching one’s ear, etc.
- Partners race to collect four of the same numbered cards. Once someone has done that, they signal their partner to say 'Kemps,' and they get the point.
- Partners race to collect four of the same numbered cards. Once someone has done that, they signal their partner to say 'Kemps,' and they get the point.
Summary: A fun, fast-paced card game involving teamwork in which a player tries to get four of a kind. Once he or she gets four of a kind, you must perform a secret nonverbal signal to try to get your partner to yell the word “Kemps!” without being caught by an opponent.
Once all pairs have decided on a good signal, have everyone sit in a circle facing each other. Partners should be seated across each other.
Playing Kemps: A Sample Round
Shuffle the cards and deal four cards to each player. Each player holds a maximum of four cards in his or her hand at a time. Deal four cards to the middle of the table, face up.
Say, “Ready, set, go!” and begin the round. Each player can discard a card from their hand and then grab any card from the center of the table. It is an ongoing process without structured turns; players simply exchange single cards from their hand with cards that show up on the table. Again, a player cannot have more then four cards in their hand at the same time.
The goal is for you (or your partner) to get four of the same rank (e.g., four 8’s, or four Queens, etc.). If no players want any of the four cards that are in the center, the dealer can remove the four cards and deal out four new cards and the process continues. Once you successfully have four-of-a-kind, use your secret signal to try to get your teammate to yell “Kemps!” If “Kemps!” is called on a person, that person must reveal their hand to show whether or not they have four-of-a-kind.
If your partner yells “Kemps!” and you have four-of-a-kind (or vice versa), then your team gets a point and wins the round. If your teammate yells “Kemps!” but you don’t have four of a kind (or vice versa), then your team loses a point. You can also yell “Kemps!” and point to an opponent if you think they have four-of-a-kind. If successful, you also win a point, but if you are wrong, you lose a point.
Winning Kemps
Victory is achieved when your team earns four points (or whatever point value you wish).
Variations
A variation of Kemps to is to have partners create their nonverbal signal while playing the game, rather than being allowed to discuss it beforehand. This is a much more challenging version of the game, but it can be more fun.
Kemps Card Game Strategy
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About WAR
This online version of the classic card game War was made by me. My name is Einar Egilsson and over there on the left is my current Facebook profile picture.
My son taught me this game a few years ago when we lived in Denmark. It's named 'Krig' over there, which is just the literal translation of War. A number of people have requested it over the years, so I decided to do it now. It's a very simple game, there's nothing but luck involved, no logic or anything. I do realize this, so you don't have to email me telling me about it :). Still, kids like it and it was simple to make since I didn't have to code any smarts into the opponent, so here it is! I've tried to add in a few effects and stuff to make it a little more interesting, but at its core it's just an extremely simple and repetitive game!
As always I use graphics that I found at OpenClipArt, a fantastic site with free graphics. The playing card images were made by Nicu Buculei.
Any comments, questions, ideas for other games or anything else can be sent to admin@cardgames.io.