The Cleveland
Card Game Players
Card Game Players
Absolutely the Most Unique Card-playing Group Around!
Since April, 2008, The Cleveland Card Game Players (CCGP) group has been meeting in small groups at local coffee houses and restaurants to spend an evening, or a weekend afternoon, playing cards. In fact, this currently happens an average of 4-5 times per week (with different members attending, of course). What
is the game that they are playing? Is it the seemingly omnipresent game
of Texas Hold'em Poker, or perhaps the great American game of Bridge?
The answer may surprise you!
The fact is that they are usually playing one of over 30 different games they have learned since the group was founded, and very few of these are well-known in the states! The group's focus is mainly directed toward the classic games of continental Europe (as well as a few from other parts of the world).
Why Europe? Historically speaking, Europe is where the playing card deck and the games played with it had their greatest period of evolution. From the time that it first entered Europe, probably in late 14th century Spain or Italy (or both simultaneously. The records are not conclusive), the playing card deck experienced great changes as it made its way across the continent, as did the games themselves. To this day, regional differences persist in each of the countries where card-playing traditions became the strongest.
For instance, the "standard" playing card suits that we are so accustomed to are actually French in origin. They eventually crossed the English channel and became the predominate suit system in England, which, taken one step further, explains why we use this system in the states. However, this suit system is actually the youngest of several different suit systems used in Europe, but since they are solid red and solid black, they are the easiest and cheapest to print, which further explains why they have become so commonly used.
Other European countries have their own suit systems, which are older and much more colorful. Here is a general list:
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Latin suits of Batons, Swords, Cups, and Coins (Spanish variation) |
More information on Latin suited cards can be found at http://www.pagat.com/class/latin.html |
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Latin Suits of Batons, Swords, Cups, and Coins (Italian variation) |
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German suits of Acorns, Leaves, Hearts, and Bells |
More information on German suited cards can be found at http://www.pagat.com/class/german.html |
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German suits of Acorns, Leaves, Hearts, and Bells (Austrian variation) |
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Swiss suits of Acorns, Flowers, Shields, and Bells |
More information on Swiss suited cards can be found at http://www.pagat.com/class/swiss.html |
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French suits of Clubs, Spades, Hearts, and Diamonds | More information on French suited cards can be found at http://www.pagat.com/class/french.html |
Another interesting fact is that normally, only the French-suited cards feature a Queen in the court cards. The other suit systems portray only male figures on the court cards, with the exception of very old 56-card Italian-suited decks (which are no longer used), containing four court cards (King, Queen, Cavalier, and Valet) in each suit, and Italian-suited Tarot decks (still in common use), which feature the same four court characters.
The CCGP group has played games using all of the above-mentioned suit systems, and we feel that if you are going to learn and play an Italian card game, you should learn and play it with Italian cards, Swiss games with Swiss cards, etc. So, it is the combination of the games we play and the cards we play them with that makes us so unique!
We would love to teach you these games as well. If you'd like to learn some great card games, and this group sounds intriguing to you, then why not join us? We'd love to have you!
Before you do, however, take a moment to think about your preferred learning style. Which of the following most accurately describes you?
In either case, read the section below for some more details about the CCGP group, including a link that you can follow to join. Now, if you feel that #1 best describes you, that's all there is to it! After you have joined, you can start RSVPing for some games, and I can assure you that when you arrive, we will be happy to take the time to tutor you and bring you up to speed. We are generally a laid-back crowd, and most of us are not ultra-competitive. I am sure you will probably make at least a few new friends here.
Before you do, however, take a moment to think about your preferred learning style. Which of the following most accurately describes you?
- One student, multiple teacher scenario: I would feel most comfortable attending a game night and sitting at a table of players who know the game and are willing to patiently teach me as we go. I realize that we won't be playing on the levelest of playing fields, but if the other players are fine with that, so am I.
- One teacher, multiple student scenario: I would feel most comfortable attending a class or workshop, where I and several others learn together how to play. I feel it is best that all those participating in the game are on a more level playing field, at least at first.
In either case, read the section below for some more details about the CCGP group, including a link that you can follow to join. Now, if you feel that #1 best describes you, that's all there is to it! After you have joined, you can start RSVPing for some games, and I can assure you that when you arrive, we will be happy to take the time to tutor you and bring you up to speed. We are generally a laid-back crowd, and most of us are not ultra-competitive. I am sure you will probably make at least a few new friends here.
If, on the other hand, you feel you are more of a #2, then after, and in addition to, joining the CCGP group, you will also want to join our second group, European Card Games 101, which is discussed in detail at the bottom of this page. By doing so, you will have access to events which consist of one teacher and several students, instead of the other way around. You can attend a class, learn a new game, and will then be prepared to play it the next time it appears on the CCGP group's calendar.
Welcome!
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The
groups currently use Meetup.com for all of their membership management,
scheduling, RSVP handling, and other functions. With few exceptions, the
site has served the groups well, and so we will probably continue using
it, unless something much better comes along, which is doubtful.
Our schedule basically follows a repeating 2-week pattern. A look at our calendar will be the best way to see it.
Emails
announcing an event are sent out 14 days prior. If you RSVP YES, you
will be emailed a reminder 7 days prior. The day before the event,
everyone will receive another email, which serves both as a reminder
for those who are supposed to be there, and to alert those who haven't
RSVPed yet that the time has nearly run out to make their decision.
Membership itself is FREE. However, to help compensate for the time and
expenses (website fees, Meetup.com fees, imported card decks, printing costs, promotional materials, etc.) that are invested in running this group, there is a nominal fee of
$1.00 in cash (per person) which is due at most events you attend, with a maximum of $25.00 in fees paid during any given calendar year, after which all events are free until December 31. Overall, that is just $2.08 per month for at least 24 opportunities to play during any given month. You may
pay $1.00 every time you attend until your 25th event, or once you decide
you are here to stay, you can go ahead and pay off your remaining balance so that you no
longer have to remember to bring that dollar with you. Some of our
"hard-core" members simply pay the whole amount at the start of the new
year so they no longer have to think about it. Any way you choose to pay is absolutely fine!
Once
a member pays up for the year, we jokingly refer to them as a
"Cardoholics Anonymous Member". It is quite appropriate, since many of us are seriously addicted to these games!
To join us, follow the link below, and if you are a #2, don't forget to come back and read the next section!
This group is a new addition, and the idea came as the result of member feedback. Help make it a success and join today!
In ECG 101, I plan to teach (not play, just teach)! That means that I will need enough students present to fill at least one game table. I will choose a different game every week or two (to start with) and will teach those who sign up how to play. Events will be held on both the East and West sides of Cleveland. Classes will run from 6pm until 9pm (at least at first).
The Package Tuition for ECG 101 classes will vary from game to game, but will be priced to cover the following items:
- A brand new deck of cards appropriate for the game you are learning.
- A "punch card" good for 5 prepaid admissions to events hosted by The Cleveland Card Game Players (this counts toward your yearly maximum).
- A gift card valued at $5.00 to be used for the purchase of snacks and beverages at the venue. Venues usually require a minimum purchase amount in order to reserve their private room. I will make that minimum purchase in the form of gift cards, and then give each student one as part of the "package" cost.
- The workshop itself, where I will share my knowledge of the game and help give you a basic foundation on which you can continue to build. We will concentrate on learning the rules, plus some very basic points of strategy.
- A set of printed rules and "cheat sheets" will be provided, and first-time attendees will receive a binder to keep them in.
This idea will have a special appeal to many family-oriented members, since it is aimed at getting friends and family together to have fun playing cards, a healthy pastime that has become very rare in these times of computers, high speed internet, and Blu-ray players.
If this new idea is of interest to you, please contact me through the Meetup site and let me know.
Click on the following link to join ECG 101: