The Official Spoons Tournament

Rule Sheet
Playing "Spoons" at family gatherings can be exhilarating IF you play correctly. I've been asked for years to document our competitive
version, rules and tradition. First, you need to determine how many "strikes" each player receives before elimination. Always use real
metal spoons because plastic ones break and basically become shivs. If you use a rectangle or square table, the dealer position should be
stationary and not on a corner. Players rotate around the table each round to balance the corner disadvantage.

How to Play:
Take out the Jacks from each deck. Dealer takes the top card from the deck
(on their right) and discards a card to another player on their left.

All other players take a card discarded by the player on their right and
subsequently discard a card to their left.

Play continues until a player has four of a kind.

The first player to have four of a kind picks up a spoon.

All other players attempt to grab a spoon once the first player has done so.

The player who does not get a spoon is eliminated, sung to and handed a
spoon to walk away in shame.
Players Must Not:
"False Grab": Grabbing a spoon either intentionally or accidentally
triggering other players to respond. A false-grab is considered a strike.

"Pretend Play": Only passing cards and not attempting to get 4-of-a-kind.

"Multiple Card Pick Up": Have more than 5 cards in your hand at once.

"Sloppy Pass": Passing cards to the player on your left in a sloppy and
inconsistent manner.
 The Official Spoons Tournament

Humiliation Songs
When a player is eliminated from the game, it is customary to sing the following gender-based songs.
Banging your spoons in rhythm with the song is highly encouraged.

MALE:
Hit the road Jack and don't you come back
No more, no more, no more, no more
Hit the road Jack and don't you come back
No more
What'd you say?

FEMALE
Goodnight, sweetheart, well it's time to go,
(Bo-Doo-De-Boo-Doh)
Goodnight, sweetheart, well it's time to go,
(Bo-Doo-De-Boo-Doh)
I hate to leave you, but I really must say,
Goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight.

THE FINALS
Final 4 Players: Pause and take the Final 4 player's picture and celebrate
their success.

Final 2 Players: Each player gets their own deck of shuffled cards. They are
basically playing against themselves. Best out of 2 wins!