The Game of Mao

[Al Qədic]

So about the game of Mao...















...why does no one on here play it?!

Mao is a card game about oppressive rules and defeating the regime of the Chairman. All it takes is a typical 52-card deck, though more decks are ideal for more people. The goal is simple. Start with some number of cards in your hand, and play by The Chairman's Rules to try and empty your hand before anyone else does. The Rules are also simple:

Rule 1: The First Rule of Mao is that you can't talk about The Rules, except for The First Rule.
Rules 2-∞: Figure it out!

When you win a round, you can (or must, depending on The Rules) create a new Rule without telling your fellow Players. The Game goes on, and they must figure out the new Rule, lest they be penalized for breaking it. You can even be penalized if you break your own rule.
A lot of people play with similar handfuls of Rules, but even I don't use all the "normal" Rules that I've seen other Chairmen use. Everyone plays Mao slightly differently, and things can get tricky as the rounds, and new Rules, add up.

So whaddaya think? Wanna go find yourself a Chairman to deal you in?

[Con-troll]

*flings all the cards off his hand*

NOW I MAKE THE RULES!

[Al Qədic]

*flings all the cards off his hand*

NOW I MAKE THE RULES!

That's the spirit! 
But seriously, general assholery is something that'll get you a penalty. *adds a card to your hand*

[Cramulus]

I used to run a fantasy larp where you had to win a game of Mao to get an audience with the fae queen.

[Al Qədic]

I used to run a fantasy larp where you had to win a game of Mao to get an audience with the fae queen.

Neat. Certainly sounds like something a fae would mandate.

[Con-troll]

As picking up new cards would hinder my chances of reaching the objective of no cards in my hands, the optimal play in this point is to hack off my hands and hide them somewhere. Your move.

[Al Qədic]

the optimal play in this point is to hack off my hands and hide them somewhere. Your move.

Penalty for ungentlemanly conduct. hands you another card

[Con-troll]

*Stares at the card*
It's not going to my hand unless you find it. Also please stop talking out the rules before someone hears us. I'd be useless in laogai like this.

[Al Qədic]

Also please stop talking out the rules before someone hears us.

You're supposed to call out penalties aloud as they happen. gives self a card for explaining a rule
...on a serious note, I wonder how stupid it would be to somehow set up a card game to work in a forum like this...

[Con-troll]

How stupid it would be to somehow set up a card game to work in a forum like this...

You'd need one person with a deck of cards designated to PM people their hands.