Eleusis (card Game) - Eleusis Express

Eleusis Express

In 2006, John Golden developed a streamlined version of the game, intended to assist elementary school teachers in explaining the scientific method to students. Abbott himself considers the variant a "great game", and refers to it as "Eleusis Express".

To play Eleusis Express, each player is dealt 12 cards, and the dealer decides on a rule on how a card can correctly be played (such as "alternate red then black cards" or "alternate cards with a closed loop (e.g. 4, 6, 8, 9, Q, A) and those without"). The object of the game is to empty your hand. Once a player thinks they have figured out the rule then they can declare themselves a "prophet" and make the good/bad card calls for the dealer.

An incorrect card goes below the line of cards starting a sideline. Players making a incorrect play draw another card.

If a player thinks he cannot play a legitimate card, he may declare a no play, and show his hand to everybody. If incorrect the dealer plays the correct card and gives the player another card. If the player is right the dealer replaces the player's hand with a smaller hand (with one less card) from the deck.

The round ends with a player running out of cards or somebody guessing (out loud) the rule. At the end of the round a player scores 12 points less the total of cards he has in his hand. The full game ends once everyone has had a chance to be dealer.