Since 1906, Rook has entertained millions and millions of card game lovers. It's much easier (yet more exciting) than Bridge, more fun than Pinochle and more varied than Hearts. Deluxe Rook features a deck of 56 premium-quality, numerical ROOK cards (no face cards) and the unique ROOK Bird Card. Also includes score sheets and the first modern Players, ROOK IN A BOOK-an 80 page book with rules for all popular Rook variations. You'll find a complete analysis of these variations plus "winning tips" to improve your play. As a special bonus, you'll find the first published rules for "BUCKEYE" ROOK and the Hearts-like variation, "AW SHUCKS!" If you're a fan of ROOK, a lover of card games, or you're looking for great wholesome, family fun, Deluxe ROOK is for you! This game is for between 3 and 8 players and includes 74 Casino-Quality cards & silver-colored bell! |
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22 of 25 found the following review helpful:
 Great GameNov 15, 2003
By M. Mann
Some of my fondest memories of my grandfather involve us playing Rook with my uncle and grandmother. It is my favorite card game by far. If you have three people to play with, I suggest this game over any other. It is great for all ages over eight. This game never gets old because as a player's skill improves the game becomes much more complex. It is a very simple game at first allowing for children but even a table of adults can enjoy the game including those with lots of card game experience. There are also many fun variations to the original, some much more challenging than others for players who want to change the technique required. The cards seem to deteriorate quickly but we did play many hours a week and had meals and snacks at the same time we played. We purchased maybe fifty packs in the years we played, new ones for vacations and such. The cards are definitely worth the $9.99 and once you buy the deluxe set once the cards can be replaced for around $6.00 from Wal-mart or Target in non-deluxe form. The deluxe is a great buy though because of the excellent book that comes within the box.
14 of 15 found the following review helpful:
family funOct 06, 2003
By Joella Jarman
The classic card game ROOK has been the foundation of our family get togethers for 5 generations. My fondest memories are of my grandparents sitting at the Rook table with my mom and dad. We still have the same laughs with our grandchildren. The ages involved? Well my dad is 96, my sister/husband 71, I am 64. Our children and grandchildren drive in from out of state and simply won't leave until they have had a Rook game with "grandpa" who is still a challenge. I really think his love for this game has helped keep his mind "young" and alert.ROOK is whatever you want it to be from simple to challenging. It teaches math and patience. It challenges your memory. It starts out with an appearance of a simple game. But let four old folks like us get the cards going and you soon realize it can also be a very deep game.
I highly recommend this wonderful family fun in today's world.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Rook is a classic game of gin/rummy with originalityDec 03, 2004
By Erik J. Fritsch
Hearts and spades are great games to play. The unfortunate aspect of them is that there are no rules for playing with more or less than four players. Rook can be played with 2-6 people which makes the chances for playing much greater. A highly educational game, it teaches children the aspect of strategy and tactical planning. These skills are not usually taught in schools and are a great way to learn them while having "fun" in the loose sense. Differing amount of players exposes new elements of the game with differing instruction. 5 Star Game.
17 of 21 found the following review helpful:
Fun and StrategyDec 31, 2002
Rook has provided our family (4 generations) with tremendous enjoyment with loads of strategy and planning. We have played two player (challenging, but loads of fun) three, four player and doubles (teaching strategy, memory and planning) mostly in a family environment. Our children started playing as early as 5 and caught on fairly quickly, growing to love the game. We were able to teach them about disappointment and failure along with the challenge to get right back in and try again. Anger was not allowed over loss or disappointment; teaching many lessons about anger management. With a little care and patient instruction, the early age allows for a great parental teaching tool ... anything from basic numbers to basic math skills ... adding and subtracting along with many life lessons that we found invaluable over the years. Nearing retirement, my wife and I still play doubles and expand with each visit to include children and grandchildren. What began in my childhood has continued now to the fourth generation and includes the spouse of our children as well. We recommend it very highly and believe you will learn to love it as much as we! Jerry Douglass
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Not well known outside of the South - but Rook Rocks!Dec 31, 2008
By Charles Evans
"Call me Kevin"
*** First a note on some of the sub-standard Rook Cards out there - It is critical that you play on a clean table and that never get wet. This will help you maximize the life of your cards****
It is amazing that so few people know about the game of Rook. Although Rook has been around since 1906 it has oddly remained mostly a regional game (southern USA). I am not sure why it has not spread - my wife is from California and despite learning the game a little later in life she has become a Rook-aholic (we are getting her help!).
The game can be as simple as you want - deal 10 cards, have someone bid for trumps (there are four colors in the Rook deck - each hand someone makes one color "trumps" meaning that cards from this color can catch any other color)... and then simply playing cards as they fall (like in Euchre). However, most serious Rook players enjoy the complexities that are learned throughout the years. What to play and when - how to guess what cards others players have - counting trumps and off-suits ...and so on. If you have never played this all may sound foreign, but you will catch on quickly.
Others have mentioned that it is too much like Euchre - this is not true. While there are some similarities Rook is a MUCH deeper game. In turn, the levels of complexities make it much more entertaining. "Skilled" Rook players will almost always beat those who are less advanced - due to their ability to manage the game and the flow of points... regardless of how the cards are dealt.
As a child I began playing Rook at about age 5. It wasn't until I was about 15 that I became an "ok" player who understood some of the more advanced techniques.
Things that are required-
- The ability to add numbers in your head. Once you "bid' to make trumps you have to keep track of how many "points: that are caught. Sloppiness here will cost you the game 50% of the time.
- The ability to remember what has been played. Absolutely critical.
- The ability to deduce what cards that others have in their hands. I know that this sounds impossible, but with careful observation you can usually deduce who has what.
- Once you deduce what each player has you must determine the best way to use this to your advantage.
My advice, the best way (and possibly the only way) to learn Rook is by playing with someone who is experienced.
Average length of a "Hand" 5 minutes
Average length of a "Game" 30 minutes
Definition - a "Hand" is the act of playing all 10 cards that have been dealt.
Definition - a "Game" is the act of playing a series of hands to determine who reaches 500 points first (or to whatever score is determined to be what needs to be achieved for winning).
Final verdict - Probably the best family card game ever invented. It will continue to entertain and challenge you and your family for generations- however- initially there will be growing pains as everyone tries to learn the rules and strategy.
5 stars.
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based on 17 reviews
