The game of 7 families, a timeless classic!

The game of 7 families is a traditional card game very popular in France, and it is particularly appreciated by children.
The aim of the game is to reunite as many complete families as possible.

Here are the basic rules:

Game composition

A game of 7 families includes 42 cards divided into 7 families of 6 cards each.

Each family has a common theme (e.g. occupations, animals, etc.) and each card represents a different member of the family (father, mother, son, daughter, grandfather, grandmother).

Set up

• Distribution : The game begins with the distribution of cards. Each player receives 6 or 7 cards depending on the number of players. The rest of the cards form the draw pile.
• Objective : The goal is to form complete families, that is to say to bring together the 6 cards of the same family.

Game progress

1. Game Round : The player to the left of the dealer begins.
2. Request for cards : On a player's turn, they ask another player for a specific card, naming the family and member (for example: "In the Boulanger family, I would like the mother."). To make this request, the player must have at least one card from that family.
3. Answer : If the other player has the requested card, he must give it.
4. If the player gets the requested card, he can request another card from any player.
5. If the other player does not have the requested card, it is the next player's turn to make a request.
6. Completed family : When a player collects the 6 cards of a family, he places them in front of him to show that he has completed the family.
7. Draw : If at any time a player has no cards in hand, he draws a card. If the draw pile is empty, he passes his turn.

End of the game

The game ends when all families have been completed or when the draw pile is empty and no more exchanges are possible.

Point counting

Each player counts the number of complete families he has collected.

The player with the most complete families wins the game.

Variants

There are variations where players can take cards from other players' hands when completing a suit, or where cards from the draw pile can be used in different ways.

The rules can be adapted according to players' preferences.

At Miocherie, we offer you a Made in France & Europe selection of 7 families games for all styles !