Definition

Noun: 1. A card game: A specific game for two or more players, typically using a standard 52-card deck. The core rule is that play begins with the seven cards of each suit, and players must build sequences in ascending and descending order from these sevens, matching the suit. The primary objective is to be the first player to play all of one's cards onto these central sequences.

Usage

The word "sevens" in this context functions exclusively as a proper noun naming this specific game. It is used to identify or refer to the game itself. * "Do you know how to play sevens?" * "We spent the evening playing a few rounds of sevens." * "Sevens is a simple but strategic card game."

Advanced Usage

• The game is known by several other names, including Fan Tan, Parliament, and Domino. When using these alternative names, the rules are typically identical or very similar to the game described as "sevens."
• The term can be used to describe a specific round or instance of the game: "That was a quick game of sevens."

Variants and Related Words

• Seven (noun): The cardinal number 7. In this game, the seven of each suit (♥7, ♦7, ♣7, ♠7) is the foundational card for building sequences.
• Fan Tan (noun): A common alternative name for the same game.
• Sequence (noun): A fundamental concept in the game, referring to the consecutive run of cards (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) built from the central sevens.

Synonyms

• Card game: The general category to which "sevens" belongs.
• Fan Tan: A direct synonym.
• Parliament: A less common synonym.

Related Phrases

• Play your sevens: A direct instruction from the game's rules, meaning to place a seven card from your hand onto the table to start a suit sequence.
• Build on the sevens: To play a card that is sequentially adjacent (one higher or one lower) to a card already in a central sequence stemming from a seven.

Noun

1. a card game in which you play your sevens and other cards in sequence in the same suit as the sevens; you win if you are the first to use all your cards