OK, this is not a recipe for food. It’s a recipe for fun! And although I mainly post recipes for food, I have found that munching away on your favorite snacks and playing this game with family or friends is a smashing combination. (A drink on the side doesn’t hurt either!) And all the better if you are spending time with family or friends at one of your favorite campgrounds. (Of course, sitting in front of a fire after skiing all day would also be wonderful. But alas, for us, skiing vacations with family and friends are regrettably far behind us. (Sigh) But back to this game.

The first thing that is great about this game is that it is played with a single deck of cards. No fancy bits to keep track of and no problem finding storage space in your recreational vehicle or tenting equipment containers.

The next thing that makes this game especially appreciated by me is that it is easy to learn. And as with many simple and fun games, if you win it’s basically the luck of the draw. Of course, there is some skill involved. But really, you can become adroit after a round or two. (Seriously, if I can learn this game quickly, anyone can! Because truthfully, I don’t have a lot of experience playing card games.)

So, if you too want to add an easy and fun game to your “what to do on vacation” repertoire, I recommend this easy to learn game. This game was introduced to us by our new friend Phyliss while we were camping together in Entiat, Washington. We had such a fun time getting to know Phyllis and her husband Tim and spending time with them and our dear friends Margo and Jim. Good friends and good food equal good times. May you too be blessed with good friends. As for the food part, I trust you have that covered.  

And as always, peace and love to all.

THE WHOLE ENCHILADA (a card game)

a very fun and easy to learn card game for 3 to 5 players

The person with the lowest score wins!

This game uses a regular 52 card deck. No jokers allowed!

Each person gets dealt the same number of cards.

3 people playing, set aside 1 of the 2’s and deal out all the rest of the cards 

4 people playing, use the full deck and deal out all the rest of the cards   

5 people playing, set aside 2 of the 2’s and deal out all the rest of the cards 

You play the game by taking tricks.

Highest card in suit that is led takes the trick.

Each player must follow suit if possible.

The player who takes a trick, then puts down the first card for the next trick.

Aces are high.

The person to the left of the dealer leads the first trick.

After each hand, the deal passes to the left for the next hand.

The game is played in 6 rounds (6 hands)

Hand #1 – every trick you take awards you 10 POINTS

Hand #2 – every heart – 10 POINTS

Hand #3 – queens – 25 POINTS

Hand #4 – king of spades – 100 POINTS

Hand #5 – last trick – 100 POINTS

Hand #6 – THE WHOLE ENCHILADA – all of the point values from previous hands

So, for example, on hand number 6 if you took 3 tricks (30 points), 1 heart (10 points), 2 queens (50 points), the king of spades (100 points), and the last trick (100 points). That’s a total of 290 points. You have probably just lost the game!