Introduction
Snip-Snap-Snorum is a classic matching-type card game that has been around for centuries. It’s easy enough for children to learn quickly but still fun and challenging for adults too.
Playing Snip-Snap-Snorum requires strategy, skill, and luck – making it an entertaining way to pass the time alone or with friends.
The object of the game is to match cards in a sequence, usually three at a time. Players take turns attempting to make matches from the cards they are dealt with or draw from the deck.
When someone makes a successful match, they shout out ‘Snip’, ‘Snap’ or ‘Snorum’. This also serves as a signal to other players that something important happened and can be used strategically.
Setup and Deal
Moving on from the introduction, it’s time to learn about setting up and dealing for a game of Snip Snap Snorum. This is a fairly straightforward process that can be done by any player.
The Snip Snap Snorem card game is played with 4 to 8 players, using a 52-card standard deck.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re getting ready to play:
- Gather your friends together and decide who will deal first.
- Have the dealer distribute all the cards one at a time, clockwise around the group.
- Ensure the cards are distributed evenly – if someone ends up with more or less than others, that is to be expected and totally fine.
Once all the cards have been dealt out, it’s time to start playing. The players look at their hands and begin following the rules of Snip-Snap-Snorem (which vary depending on what version you’re playing).
Tip for deciding on the dealer: Each player picks a card at random from the deck and the one with the lowest-ranking card becomes the dealer. In the case of a tie, keep drawing until it’s decided.
How To Play Snip Snap Snorum
The objective of the game is to be the first one to get rid of all their cards, thereby winning all chips in the middle. The game involves matching or passing depending on how each turn plays out.
The play always moves clockwise from the dealer’s left and when a match is made, the previous card holder owes chips into the pot. If a pass is made, then that card holder does not owe any chips for that particular round.
There are three specific terms used in this game; ‘Snip’, ‘Snap’ and ‘Snorem’ which corresponds with how many chips have been owed by each player when they lay down their respective card(s).
| Snip | Snap | Snorem |
|---|---|---|
| First Card Matched in Turn | Second Card Matched in Turn | Third Card Matched in Turn |
| Player Owes 1 Chip to Middle | Player Owes 2 Chips to Middle | Player Owes 3 Chips to Middle |
Cards rank from high to low: K>Q>J>10>9>8>7>6>5>4>3>2>A. As you can see Aces are low in Snip-Snap-Snorum.
Ending
When all cards have been played, whoever has won all chips in the middle wins!
Variants
Jig
In the game of Jig, you don’t have to worry about matching rank – it’s all about playing the next higher card in the same suit.
From Ace low to King high, each player takes their turn and announces ‘Snip’, ‘Snap’, ‘Snorum’, ‘Hicockalorum’ or ‘Jig’ as they go:
- Snip is when a player starts off with any card;
- Snap is when the second player continues the sequence;
- Snorum is for the third person;
- Hicockalorum is fourth; and
Finally, the last player says ‘Jig’ at the end.
Earl of Coventry
The rules are simple – each player takes it in turns to place a card face up on the table and whoever plays the highest card wins all four cards that have been played.
| Hand | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Six | Highest Card | 6 Hearts |
| Five | Second Highest | 5 Spades |
| Four | Third Highest | 4 Clubs |
| Three | Lowest Card | 3 Diamonds |
Each time a fourth card is placed, players must make a rhyming statement according to which number they have put down. For example, when playing a six they would say ‘There’s as good a six can be’ while if they were putting down a three they might go with ‘Here lies three so we can see’.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Snip Snap Snorem is a fun and easy game to play. It’s great for all ages, from young children to the elderly. With its simple rules and fast-paced action, it can be enjoyed by everyone in your family or circle of friends.
