Between the Zachtronics Solitaire Collection and now Balatro, I've been staring at cards a lot recently. Both of these games open up the design space allowed by a simple deck of 52 playing cards in really interesting ways and I've been meaning for a while to try my hand (pun intended) at making something myself.

The rules of the jam are simple! Grab a deck of standard playing cards and create a new game out of them! It can use the rules of existing games as a base (like Balatro uses standard Poker hands) or you can make something totally unique from the ground up. Use the full deck or just a subset of it! Include the jokers, or don't! Anything goes, really - you could even modify the cards by writing additional rules text on them if that's your thing.

Submissions should include the rules of your game (ideally in an easy to read PDF), including a list of any additional setup requirements (e.g. does the game need dice? a printable playmat? a bottle of ketchup so the cards don't taste as bad when you have to eat them?). A digital build of the game is NOT required, but welcome if that's within your skill set! If you're making a game for two or more players, I recommend PlayingCards.io as a very simple way of setting up a virtual "room" to play online. You can even export rooms and include the file with your submission!

Here are some other games that use standard card decks that might be inspiring:

• The Garden by @royalpolygon
• Trash Poker by @yngar
• High Stakes by @krystman