Prší – Rules

Play Prší against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Prší is what Mau-Mau is in Germany: the first card game many children learn. You play cards of the same suit or rank. Sevens make the next player draw, aces make them miss a turn, and the Ober always fits and lets you choose the suit.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 32 cards: hearts (srdce), bells (kule), leaves (zelený), acorns (žaludy); each 7, 8, 9, 10, Unter, Ober, king, ace.
• Special cards:

• Face up and face down: Hands concealed, discard face up, stock face down.

3. Preparation and start

1. Shuffle: The dealer shuffles.
2. Deal: Everyone gets 4 cards.
3. Discard: The next card is turned face up. If it's a special card, it applies to the first player.
4. Start: The player left of the dealer begins.

Start example: Player 2 deals 4 cards to everyone and turns up the 9 of leaves. Player 3 begins.

4. Goal and winning

• Round: The first player with no cards left wins the round.
• Game: Often played to an agreed number of rounds won.
• Playing on (variant): The others continue until only one is left – the loser.

5. Play in detail

A turn.

1. Play one card of the same suit or rank as the top discard.
2. Ober: fits on any card (except an active 7 or ace). You name a suit.
3. Can't (or won't) play: Draw one card. Then the next player goes.

Special cards.

• 7: The next player must draw 2 cards – or play a 7 themselves. Then the following player draws 4, with three sevens 6, with four 8.
• Ace: The next player misses a turn – unless they play an ace themselves, then the following player misses a turn.

Example with Players 1 to 4. Order: Player 3, 4, 1, 2. The 9 of leaves is on top.

1. Player 3 plays the 7 of leaves. Player 4 has the 7 of hearts and plays it: now Player 1 would have to draw 4 cards.
2. Player 1 has no 7 and draws 4 cards. That ends his turn.
3. Player 2 plays the ace of hearts: Player 3 misses a turn.
4. Player 4 has no hearts and no ace, but an Ober. He plays it and names acorns.
5. Player 1 has the 10 of acorns and plays it.

6. Scoring

• There are no points per card.
• Round won: 1 point (or a mark).
• Game: Whoever first wins the agreed number of rounds.
• Variant: Note the others' remaining cards as penalty points.

7. Special rules and situations

• Stock empty: The discards except the top card are shuffled into a new stock.
• Last card a special card: Allowed; its effect no longer applies to the winner.
• Ober on a 7: On an active 7 the Ober doesn't help – only a 7 or drawing.
• Back into the game (variant): A player who went out can be brought back by a 7 played on their last card.
• Common mistakes: forgetting to draw penalty cards; using the Ober too early.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: 4 cards, 7 = draw two, ace = miss a turn, Ober = choose suit.

When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play with 2 to 6 players, one round or to 3 or 5 rounds won.

9. Tips for beginners

1. Save the Ober: It rescues you when nothing fits.
2. Save sevens: A 7 lets you pass a penalty on.
3. Aces for defence: An ace protects you from missing a turn.
4. Name a suit: Name the suit you hold most of.
5. Watch others: Whoever draws lacks the suit asked for.
6. Near the end: If someone has one card left, play a 7 or an ace.
7. Don't draw too much: Drawing voluntarily just wastes time.

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 32 cards, 4 to each player.
2. One card face up as the discard.
3. Left of the dealer begins.
4. Play same suit or same rank.
5. The Ober always fits; name a suit.
6. 7: next player draws 2 (or plays a 7).
7. Ace: next player misses a turn (or plays an ace).
8. Can't play: draw one card.
9. Stock empty: shuffle the discards.
10. First without cards wins.

11. Frequently asked questions

What happens with several sevens?

The penalty adds up: two sevens = 4 cards, three = 6, four = 8.

May I play an Ober on a 7?

No. On an active 7 only another 7 helps – otherwise you draw.

What's the difference to Mau-Mau?

Very similar. Prší has only 4 hand cards, and the ace makes the next player miss a turn.

Must I play if I can?

No. You may also draw a card.

What does “Prší” mean?

“It's raining” – said to refer to the rain of cards when many sevens are played.

How long does a round take?

Three to five minutes.

Origin & history

Prší (“it's raining”) is the Czech form of Mau-Mau and a widespread family game – many learn it as children. It is played with the 32-card pack with German suits (hearts, bells, leaves, acorns). The name is explained by the penalty cards that “rain down” on you when several sevens are played.