TOCK

The game of tock
Object of the game:
To get all four of your pieces home. In a game of partners, you also help your partner get his/hers home.
Number of players: 2, 3 or 4
Cards dealt:
Each player takes a card from the deck. The first player to receive the suit of spades is the dealer for the first deck. The next dealer will be the one to the left of the last one.
The dealer places all the cards to be dealt in front of him/her in rows and columns according to the number of players. Refer to "deal for # of players". The left most column of cards is given to the person to the left of the dealer and so on until all the card have been dealt out.
Deal for 4 players:
Round #1 -> 5 cards each
Round #2 -> 4 cards each
Round #3 -> 4 cards each
Round #4 -> 4 cards each
Deal for 3 players:
Round #1 -> 5 cards each
Round #2 -> 4 cards each
Round #3 -> 4 cards each
Round #4 -> 4 cards each -> 1 card left over
Deal for 2 players:
Round #1 -> 5 cards each
Round #2 -> 5 cards each
Round #3 -> 4 cards each
Round #4 -> 4 cards each
Round #5 -> 4 cards each
Round #6 -> 4 cards each

Value of cards:
Cards are of face value, Ace=1, 2=2, Jack=11,. Etc. The 4 card can only go in the minus direction. The 7 may be split up in value between two or more pieces if one or more pieces are in the home stretch. Ace & King have the power to enter a piece in the game. King used as number 13 wipes out any pieces within the 13 including his/her own piece(s). A jack can be used as a swap with any other piece. The only time this cannot be done is when the other piece to be swapped with is on his post position (18).

Board:
All used cards are placed in the center of the board. Each player enters his/her piece with an ace or a king. The piece is placed on position (18) of his territory. This is known as the post position. The post is a blocking point only for the player who enters on it. The block prevents "anybody from passing".

To play:
Person to the left of the dealer goes first. The player must enter with an ace or a king. If he/she does not have such a card, all of the cards are placed in the center of the board. This player is out of the game until the next round. Play continues. If the player does have an ace or a king, one of the four pieces is placed in the post position (18). It would be very wise to use the 4 card at this time. This way you are almost in the home court, otherwise you'll have to go all the way around the board.

When players pieces are in the home stretch area, the pieces can be moved by the low numbered cards or the number 7 card can be used to fill the positions left in the home area. You cannot jump over your pieces in the home area.

Example: player moves 1 place in home area, player has to move 1 other piece 6 positions. If 2 pieces are available to be moved in the home area they may do so as long as one other piece is moved to complete the total count. This enables the player to fill all the unused positions in the home area.

When a player lands on a space already occupied, the piece occupying the space is wiped out. This piece is out of play and must be re-entered by an ace or a king.

If a player is on his/her post position and swaps with another, and the pieces are swapped back to the original positions by the other player, the piece on its post position cannot be used as a blocking piece. Note: swapping is done with the jack.

When one or more of a players pieces are in the home area, no other pieces are in movement on the board and the 4 card is shown, no minus movement can be done from the home area. The card is placed in the center of the board and play continues to the player to the left.

When playing a, partners game (4 players), and one of the players has all four pieces in the home area he/she then uses the cards to help the, partner get the remaining pieces to the home area. Upon doing so wins the game.

In a "play for yourself" game, when all four pieces are in the home area, this wins the game.