Meio
Meio Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
- A regular deck of playing cards, without the Jokers (52 cards)
Goal of the Game
In MEIO each player must split the cards in their hand into two packs, aiming to win the same number of tricks with both packs. The one who manages to find the best balance, and get the lowest score (closest to zero), is the winner.
Game Preparation
- For 2 players, use cards A-7 of each suit (28 cards).
- For 3 players, use cards A-10 of each suit (40 cards).
- For 4 players, use all cards (52 cards).
Shuffle the cards and deal 13 cards to each player. In 2 and 3 player games, there will be cards left over (2 and 1, respectively) - leave them aside, face down.
Set a starting player of your choice.
The Game
Phase 1: The Split
Each player must split their hand into two parts: one with 7 cards, and one with 6 cards. In the first half (or so) of the game, everyone will play with a deck of 7 cards; in the second, with 6. Leave the pile of 6 cards in front of you, face down, and keep the remaining 7 cards in your hand.
Phase 2: The Tricks
The first player may play any card from their hand. All other players must play a card of the same suit. If they don't have one, they can play any card.
If one or more hearts (trump cards) are played, the highest heart wins. Otherwise, the highest card of the lead suit wins.
The player who won the trick must place it in front of them, in a pile, cards face down, in horizontal position. Then they lead the next trick.
After the seventh card is played, players must have no cards in their hand. They pick up the pile of 6 cards that had been set aside and the game continues normally, with the difference that each trick won must be placed in the upright position, if possible over a horizontal trick, or next to the other tricks won.
Scoring
Each player evaluates the difference between the horizontal tricks (won in the first half) and vertical tricks (won in the second half). This value is your score, regardless of which number is higher.
This way, if a player wins 2 horizontal tricks (in the first half) and 1 vertical trick (in the second half), they score 1 point. The result would be exactly the same if they had won 1 horizontal and 2 vertical tricks.
Next Round
Shuffle all the cards (don't forget the ones left out in 2 and 3 players) and deal 13 cards per player for a new round. The starting player is the player to the left of the starting player from the previous round.
End of the Game
After 3 rounds, the player with the least points is the winner! If there is a tie, each tied player must cut a fruit of their choice exactly in half. Weigh the two halves - the one with the smallest difference between them is the winner! (Or share the victory, if you find it easier.)