Mentok
Mentok
Mentok is a point-scoring game, created as a hybrid of Go Fish, and Blackjack
It is named after Judge Mentok The Mindtaker from Harvey Birdman.
The game indeed has an element of mindtaking (basic memory and deduction). The basic goal is to build a Blackjack hand (21 points) using methodology derived from Go Fish.
Note that this page uses 'meld' as terminogy borrowed from Mock
Game play
Cards are dealt as follows:
Four cards to each players hand, and one open card on the table to each player. This table card is the start of your blackjack hand.
You now start building your table hand using Go Fish techniques. So, so you ask another player for a card that you desire. If they have it, they HAVE to give it to you, and you HAVE to meld it to the tabe. If on the first round you ask for (and get) the card dealt on the table, you split your hand and build two blackjack hands, thus potentially doubling your possible total.
If the player you ask for a card doesn't have it, you have to take a card from the top of the deck, and you HAVE to meld it.
Note that you cannot ask for just anything. You can only ask for cards which are already 'yours'. ie, in your hand, or part of what you are building on the table. Thus what you ask for will reveal what cards you have to other players, possibly to their advantage. (And thus, Mindtaking!)
The game moves quite fast since on every turn, a card IS melded to the table.
When everyone sits on their cards (or has busted), points are scored.
You get 1 point for 17, 2 for 18, 3 for 19, 4 for 20 and 5 for 21. In addition, a bonus point for true blackjack (21 in 2 cards), and a bonus point for '5 and under' (ie, 5 cards or more, and 21 points or less)
Note that at this final scoring stage, you can choose to score on the cards remaining in your hand instead of the cards on the table. This is only ever a backup, as there is no direct control you can have on the cards you remain with. However, late-game hinting of a card in your possession (to encourage others to fish for it) is permitted in friendly games. (and we play no other type)
Finally, the game is normally played till the threshold score of 21 is passed. (at the extreme case, this could be accomplished in as little as two games - a player can get a maximum of 12 points in a single game)
