#my husband and I have been keeping track of our cribbage scores since we married

[bethanydelleman]

The most relatable moment in Jane Austen’s entire collected works, for me as a devoted card and board game player:

“What shall I do, Sir Thomas? Whist and speculation; which will amuse me most?” [Lady Bertram]

Sir Thomas, after a moment’s thought, recommended speculation. He was a whist player himself, and perhaps might feel that it would not much amuse him to have her for a partner.

As a euchre player myself (both euchre and whist being related to bridge, trick taking games with trump) I feel this. I feel it deep. If I was Sir Thomas I would never want to play a paired card game with my non-gaming wife (though I won’t throw her all the way under the bus, she seems to be able to play cribbage). Playing with someone who doesn’t know the game means your aces get trumped and they make bad calls and get you euchred!

I too would play opposite the ruthless Mrs. Norris. There are no morals when it comes to cards.

Context: whist is a game you play in pairs. It has a trump (a suit that beats all other suits) and involves taking tricks (everyone plays one card and the highest wins) and following suit (if you have spades and spades is lead, you play spades). While I have not played, it is similar to euchre and bridge. Those games require you to pay attention to your partner’s play and remember what cards have been played previously. Look, I’ll teach new people, but it is way more fun to play with experienced players.