Kentucky Discard - A card game similar to blackbird or rook

Play Kentucky Discard

Kentucky Discard is the official tournament version of the card game Rook.

Rook is a trick-taking game played with a specialized deck of cards. There are four players, each paired with a partner. There are 41 special cards numbered 5 thru 14. Cards are colored Black, Green, Red, and Yellow, and there is one special Bird card.

In this free game, play with 12 different AI characters, each programmed with different skill levels and playing styes.

Each “5” card is worth 5 points. The “10” and “14” cards are worth 10 points. The Bird card is worth 20 points.
The other cards are not worth any points.

The deck gets dealt out to all players and five cards are placed into the center of the table called the nest.

After the deal, players bid on how many points they think their team will earn.

The high bidder gets to choose the trump color, pick-up the nest to improve their hand and then discard five unwanted cards.

The player to the left of the dealer goes first, and throws any card they want. The other players must then throw a card of the same color or the Bird card. If a player doesn’t have any cards of the same color, they can play any card they want.

The highest card of the leading color wins the trick, unless a trump is played, in which case the highest trump wins. However, when the Bird card is played it always wins.

The player who takes the trick gets the points from any 5’s, 10’s, or 14’s collected, and 20 points for the Bird card if played. The player that takes the last trick in a round also captures the nest and gets any point cards in it.

Points collected by each team in the round get added to each team’s total; however, if the high bidding team fails to make their bid, they forfeit any points collected and the full amount of their bid is subtracted from their score.

The first team to reach 300 points wins the game!

Please note: ROOK® is a registered trademark of Hasbro, Inc. This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro, Inc.

If you enjoy playing this game, please check out our online pinochle apps at https://www.pinochle.net.

The Origins of Rook

Rook, the quintessential card game, has had a long and fascinating history spanning over a century. As a trick-taking game, Rook has enthralled players for generations as they vie to win tricks, or groups of cards played in a single round, using a special deck of cards that includes a set of cards known as the “Rook cards.” In this article, we will delve into the game’s intriguing past, exploring its origins, evolution, and continued popularity across the globe.

Rook’s roots can be traced back to the late 19th century in the United States, where it was developed by the legendary Parker Brothers. Founded in 1883 by George S. Parker, Parker Brothers was a prolific manufacturer of board games and card games, responsible for creating some of the most iconic games of all time, such as Monopoly and Sorry!

The year was 1906 when Parker Brothers unleashed Rook upon the world, and it swiftly became a household name throughout the United States. The game was designed to be a simpler version of the traditional card game Bridge, which was all the rage at that time. Rook was specifically designed to be played with a unique deck of cards that included a set of cards featuring a bird, which explains the game’s name.

The Metamorphosis of the Rook. The Rook has undergone a remarkable transformation as a result of considerable alterations and modifications made by Parker Brothers. The most noteworthy transformation happened in the 1930s, when the regulations were standardized, making it easier for people to understand and engage in the game. Prior to that, gamers were befuddled by the game’s discrepancies across different areas. In the 1960s, Parker Brothers transformed the game to “Rook and a Half”.

This updated version included a supplementary set of cards, escalating the challenge and intricacy of the game. These alterations enabled a range of game types to be enjoyed, including “Cutthroat Rook,” which can be played solo, and “Bid Rook,” which requires the participants to wager on the number of tricks each person will achieve.

The endorsement of Rook. Despite the several changes and improvements, Rook has continued to be a beloved game for over a century. In the Midwest and South of America in the early 1900s, the game was especially adored. But the game quickly became fashionable and spread far and wide. Rook is still enjoyed by millions of people today in countries like the US, Canada, and Europe.

The undeniable popularity of the game, both in its online and tournament formats, is proof of its everlasting charm. Rook’s ease of learning makes it a great game for children, while its depth of strategy can keep adults absorbed for hours. Playing Rook as a family is a wonderful way to spend quality time together since it is straightforward to set up and requires minimal supplies. In summary, Rook is a timeless card game that has captivated players around the globe for more than a hundred years.

Its progression through time while retaining its fundamental beliefs has made for an intriguing past.