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Download on Google Play- Use a standard 52-card deck plus 4 boodle cards from a second deck.
- Place chips on the boodle cards before dealing.
- Deal the entire deck including one extra dead hand that is not used.
- Play cards in ascending sequence within a suit.
- Whoever holds the next card in sequence plays it, regardless of turn order.
- When a sequence stops (card missing or King reached), the last player starts a new sequence.
- Playing a card matching a boodle card wins all chips on it.
- First to empty their hand wins a chip per card remaining in opponents' hands.
- Unclaimed boodle chips carry over to the next round.
Rules
Newmarket is a stops card game where players race to shed cards in sequence while collecting bonus chips from a layout of 'boodle' cards. It combines the excitement of sequential play with a gambling element as players bet on which boodle cards will be played.
Objective
Be the first to empty your hand and collect chips from the boodle layout by playing the matching cards during the game.
Setup
- Players: 3 to 8 players.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck plus four 'boodle' cards from a second deck (typically Ace of Spades, King of Hearts, Queen of Diamonds, Jack of Clubs).
- Boodle Layout: Place the four boodle cards face-up in the center. Each player places chips on one or more boodle cards before the deal.
- Deal: Deal the entire deck, including one extra 'dead' hand. The dead hand is not used but removes some cards from play.
Gameplay
- Starting: The player with the lowest card of any suit begins by playing it.
- Sequence Play: Players continue the ascending sequence in that suit. Whoever holds the next card in sequence plays it, regardless of whose turn it was.
- Stops: A sequence stops when the next card needed is either in the dead hand, has already been played, or a King is reached.
- New Sequence: When stopped, the last player to play a card starts a new sequence with any card from their hand (must be a different suit if possible).
- Boodle Cards: When you play a card matching a boodle card, you collect all chips on that boodle card.
Winning
The first player to empty their hand wins the round and collects a chip from every other player for each card remaining in their hand.
Tips and Strategies
- Hold boodle-matching cards to play them when the sequence reaches that point — but do not wait too long or you might get stuck.
- Starting new sequences with low cards gives you more control over which suits get played.
- Pay attention to which suits have been stopped to predict where future stops will occur.
Tips & Strategy
The dead hand creates unpredictable stops. Learning to work around missing cards is the main skill in Newmarket.
Choosing which card to lead when starting a new sequence is the main strategic decision. Lead in suits where you hold cards that can continue the sequence.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The dead hand (extra dealt hand nobody uses) is what makes Newmarket exciting — you never know which cards are missing until a sequence unexpectedly stops.
In Newmarket, what causes a sequence to 'stop'?
History & Culture
Newmarket has been played in England since the 18th century, named after the famous horse racing town. The gambling element reflects its racing heritage.
Newmarket is a traditional British family card game, often played at Christmas and other holiday gatherings as a lighthearted gambling game suitable for all ages.
Variations & House Rules
Michigan and Boodle are American variants with slightly different boodle card selections and betting rules. Some versions allow players to buy the dead hand.
Let players bid for the dead hand instead of their dealt hand for an extra layer of strategy. Increase boodle card stakes for more exciting payouts.
