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Download on Google Play- Gather exactly 5 players.
- Deal 8 cards to each player.
- Place the remaining 12 cards face up on the table.
- Pair a hand card with a table card summing to 15 to capture both.
- Lay down sets of 3 or 4 matching-rank cards for bonuses.
- If you cannot capture, lie down and place your hand on the table.
- 2 points for the most total cards captured.
- 1 point for the most cards in each suit.
Rules
Laugh and Lie Down is a historical English card game from the 1500s where five players compete to capture cards in pairs that total 15. Players who run out of useful plays must 'lie down' and sit out the rest of the round.
Objective
Capture the most cards by pairing cards from your hand with table cards that together sum to 15. Having the most captured cards at the end scores the highest.
Setup
- Players: 5 players (the game is specifically designed for five).
- Deck: A standard 52-card deck.
- Deal: Deal 8 cards to each player and place the remaining 12 cards face up on the table.
Gameplay
- Step 1: Check your hand for any pairs of cards whose values sum to 15. If you have any, you may immediately lay them down as captures.
- Step 2: On your turn, look for a card in your hand and a card on the table whose values sum to 15. If found, capture both.
- Step 3: If you hold three or more cards of the same rank, lay them face up for all to see and earn a bonus. If you hold all four of a rank, you may capture them privately.
- Step 4: If at any point you cannot make a capture, you must 'lie down' by placing your remaining hand cards on the table and sitting out for the rest of the round.
Scoring
- 2 points for capturing the most cards overall.
- 1 point for capturing the most cards in each suit.
- If two players tie for most in a suit, the points carry over to the next round.
- The player who captures the last card from the table gets 1 bonus point.
Variations
- Laugh and Lie Down for Fewer: Some adaptations reduce the player count to 3 or 4 with adjusted hand sizes.
- Modern Laugh: A variant where players can choose to trail a card instead of lying down, keeping them in the round longer.
Tips and Strategies
- Count the cards on the table and in your hand carefully before committing to early captures.
- Hold onto versatile middle-value cards (6, 7, 8) since they pair with the most table cards.
- Watch which suits other players are collecting so you can compete for suit majorities.
Tips & Strategy
Keep flexible mid-value cards that can pair with many table cards. Watch which suits opponents are collecting and compete for suit majority bonuses.
Timing is everything in Laugh and Lie Down. Making captures too eagerly can leave you with unplayable cards, forcing you to lie down early. Patient, calculated play keeps you in the round longer.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The name comes from the humiliation of having to 'lie down' (sit out) while other players continue to capture cards and laugh at your misfortune.
What century does the earliest known reference to Laugh and Lie Down date back to?
History & Culture
Laugh and Lie Down dates back to at least 1522 in England, making it one of the oldest documented English card games. It was mentioned in several Tudor-era texts and game compilations.
As one of the oldest English card games on record, Laugh and Lie Down offers a fascinating glimpse into the card-playing habits of 16th-century England.
Variations & House Rules
Adaptations for fewer players adjust the hand size and table layout. Modern Laugh allows trailing instead of lying down, giving players more flexibility.
If you do not have exactly 5 players, adjust the deal so all cards are distributed roughly evenly with a generous table layout. Experiment with target sums other than 15 for variety.
