How to Play Loba de Mas
Welcome! This quick guide will get you started with Loba de Mas, a lively Argentine rummy. For more gaming guides like this one, visit Playmore and explore our collection.
Quick facts
| Game | Type | Players | Deck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loba de Mas | Argentine positive meld-scoring rummy | 2–6 | 2×52 (two standard 52-card decks shuffled together) |
What you are trying to do
You try to form valid melds from the cards in your hand and score points for the melds you lay down. Loba de Mas is a positive-meld game, so making and showing melds brings you points. Exact scoring, meld sizes, and special rules vary by region. Check the authoritative or regional rules your group follows for the precise scoring version.
What you need and how to set up
You need two complete, normal 52-card decks shuffled together. You also need something to track score, like paper and pencil. Choose a dealer at random and agree on any local rule variants before you start (for example, how many cards to deal and whether jokers are used).
Standard setup steps:
- Shuffle the two decks together well.
- Deal a fixed number of cards to each player according to the version you agreed on.
- Place the remaining cards face down as the stock. Turn one card face up to start the discard pile unless your rules differ.
How to play
- On your turn, draw one card. You usually may draw the top card from the stock or the top card from the discard pile. House rules can change this choice.
- Try to form melds. Melds are typically sets (same rank, different suits) or runs (three or more consecutive cards in the same suit). Exactly which melds count may vary by local rules.
- When you have valid melds, you may lay them down according to the agreed rules. Some versions let you lay melds immediately; others require a minimum first meld.
- You can often add cards to melds on the table—yours or sometimes other players'—if your group's rules allow it. This helps you get rid of cards and build points.
- Finish your turn by discarding one card to the discard pile unless you are going out. Discard choice is strategic: avoid giving opponents cards they can use.
- Play continues clockwise until a round ends (see below).
How a round or game ends
A round commonly ends when a player goes out by melding all their cards or by meeting whatever condition your rules set for closing a hand. A round can also end if the stock is exhausted and no one can play. After the round, players score according to the points for melds laid down and any penalties or leftover-card values. Exact scoring totals and target scores for the game are version-dependent, so check your chosen official or regional rules for the final numbers.
Beginner tips
- Watch which cards opponents pick from the discard pile. That shows what melds they are building.
- Keep your hand flexible. Try to keep cards that can join multiple meld types.
- Don’t discard obvious help to the player on your left unless you have to.
- Agree on all scoring and meld details before the first deal to avoid confusion mid-game.
FAQ
What decks do I need?
Use two standard 52-card decks shuffled together. You don’t need a special commercial deck for Loba de Mas.
How is Loba de Mas different from Loba de Menos?
They are related Argentine rummy variants. Loba de Mas focuses on positive scoring for melds; Loba de Menos uses different objectives and scoring. Check your group’s chosen rule set to be sure which you’re playing.
My friends and I have different memories of the rules—what now?
Agree on one rule set before you start. If you want an authoritative reference, consult a well-known rummy rules source or the regional rules your group prefers. Don’t invent scoring during a round.