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Download on Google Play- Use a dedicated Authors deck (44 cards) or a standard 52-card deck.
- Deal all cards as evenly as possible to 3-5 players.
- Ask any player for a specific card; you must hold at least one from that set.
- If they have it, they hand it over and you go again.
- If not, your turn ends.
- Complete a set of four and place it face-up in front of you.
- Each completed set of four counts as one point.
- Player with the most sets at the end wins.
Rules
Authors is a classic collecting card game similar to Go Fish but traditionally played with a special deck featuring famous writers. Players ask for specific cards to complete sets of four, using memory and deduction to outmaneuver opponents.
Objective
Collect the most complete sets of four matching cards. Each set consists of four cards belonging to the same author or category. The player with the most completed sets at the end wins.
Setup
- Players: 3 to 5 players.
- Deck: A dedicated Authors card deck (44 cards, 11 authors with 4 book titles each) or a standard 52-card deck where sets are four cards of the same rank.
- Deal: Deal all cards as evenly as possible. Some players may have one more card than others.
Gameplay
- Ask for a card: On your turn, ask any other player for a specific card. You must already hold at least one card from that set.
- Successful request: If the asked player has the card, they must hand it over, and you get another turn.
- Failed request: If the asked player does not have the card, your turn ends.
- Complete a set: When you collect all four cards of a set, place them face-up in front of you.
- End of game: The game ends when all sets have been completed.
Scoring
- Sets won: Each completed set of four counts as one point.
- Winner: The player with the most sets wins.
Variations
- Standard deck version: Use a regular deck and ask for specific ranks, playing identically to the mechanics above.
- Themed decks: Modern versions feature scientists, artists, musicians, or historical figures instead of authors.
Tips and Strategies
- Pay close attention to what other players ask for, as it reveals which cards they hold.
- Remember which requests failed to narrow down who holds what.
- Ask players who you believe have the most cards from sets you are building.
Tips & Strategy
Tracking every request made at the table is the key skill. A sharp memory lets you pinpoint which player holds the card you need and when to ask for it.
When you know a specific player holds a card you need, do not ask immediately if it would tip off others about your near-complete set. Sometimes patience yields a bigger payoff.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The original Authors deck featured writers like Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, and Nathaniel Hawthorne, turning a card game into a literary education.
In what year was the Authors card game first commercially published in the United States?
History & Culture
Authors was first published as a commercial card game in 1861 in the United States, making it one of the earliest dedicated card games sold in America. It was designed to be both educational and entertaining.
Authors holds a special place in American game history as an early parlor game that combined entertainment with education, introducing generations of children to classic literature.
Variations & House Rules
Modern editions swap authors for other categories like scientists or musicians. A standard deck can be used by treating each rank as a set.
Create your own themed deck with any four-item categories that interest your group, from movie directors to sports teams.
