How to Play Xeri
Xeri is a quick, friendly Greek capture game for 2–4 players. Read this beginner guide at Playmore to get started with the basics and try a few practice hands.
Quick facts
| Game | Players | Deck | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xeri | 2–4 | Full normal 52-card French-suited deck | Greek capture game (fishing family) |
What you are trying to do
Your main job is to capture cards from the table by playing one card from your hand each turn. Captures earn you collected cards, and clearing all cards from the table with a single play is a special sweep (called a xeri). Over many hands, players compare captured cards and special sweeps to see who scores more.
What you need and how to set up
Use one normal 52-card deck. Shuffle well. Typical groups play with 2 to 4 players. The dealer deals a small number of face-up cards to the table and a hand to each player. Exact counts for the deal can vary by region, so ask your group which version you want to use before you start.
How to play
- Take turns in clockwise order. On your turn, play one card from your hand into the center.
- The card you play can capture one or more cards already on the table according to the capture rule your group uses. Captures usually happen by matching ranks or by combining table cards to meet a value related to the played card. Ask your group which capture method you’re using before you begin.
- If your played card captures some table cards, take those cards and add them to your pile of captured cards. Keep captured cards face down in front of you.
- If your played card does not capture any table card, it stays face-up on the table and may be captured later by someone else.
- If your play removes every face-up card from the table in a single move, that is called a sweep (xeri). Sweeps are tracked because they usually give a special bonus when scoring.
- When all players have played the cards in their hands, the dealer deals another set of cards to each player from the remaining deck and play continues until the deck is exhausted.
How a round or game ends
Play continues until the last cards are played and all captures are complete. After the final play, players count captured cards and note any special sweeps. Exact scoring, point totals for specific cards, and any tiebreak rules depend on the local or published version you choose. Groups should check the authoritative or regional rules linked with their version for the detailed scoring system before keeping score.
Beginner tips
- Watch the table closely. Remember which cards are available to be captured on the next turn.
- Try to set up a sweep by forcing the table into a state you can clear on your turn. Sweeps are often worth extra points.
- Hold onto cards that can make flexible captures. A card that can match many table options is very useful.
- When learning, play slowly and say your intended capture out loud. That helps everyone agree on legal moves.
- Agree on the deal sizes, capture rules, and scoring before you start. Xeri has regional variations, and it’s easiest when everyone uses the same version.
FAQ
Do I need a special deck?
No. Use a standard 52-card French-suited deck. No special cards are required.
What makes a play a xeri (sweep)?
A xeri is when a single play captures all face-up cards on the table. Sweeps are usually tracked separately and give a bonus, but exact scoring varies by version.
Where can I find the exact rules and scoring?
There is an authoritative rule reference for Xeri and regional variants. Check those official or regional rules before you play to agree on exact capture mechanics and scoring.