Twenty-Five

Twenty-Five could be considered the national card game of Ireland: it is played widely in rural pubs and at home. The game moves quite quickly - it does not take long to play a hand - and although there is a fair amount of luck in it, there is also some scope for skill. It is normally played by about five people but can be played by as few as two or as many as ten. The ranking order of the cards may seem a little arcane at first, but with a little practice it becomes second nature.