Oh my. I do love this solitaire card game.

A few nights ago, I checked online to see what other card games for one person I could learn. Ever since lockdowns (which introduced me cards and other games to pass my time indoors), I’ve been playing cards because they keep my mind active, I’m learning new rules and it gets me off devices.

My shuffling technique is still pretty shit though.

We have many decks of cards in our games cupboards. (Yes, plural).

Unfortunately many decks aren’t open as they may be collectors items now? ?

We have decks from old airlines that are now non existent. They were handed out before the days of radio and television onboard so people can keep themselves amused. When I look at these cards, I imagine a Don Draper sitting there with his cigarette, a glass of scotch and an air stewardess handing him a pack of these playing cards.

I have an overactive imagination what can I say!

Anyway, for my preferred deck, I use Australian Airlines (2002-2006) was TAA which is now Qantas Domestic.

I found this YouTube video where the host shared the rules to this game where I don’t believe he mentioned a name for it but others have called it Block 11.

The aim of the game is to get all the face cards face up on the pile.

You deal 2 rows of 6 cards.

From there, you look at all the cards adding up to 11 (6-5, 7-4, 8-3, 9-2,10-A).

Anytime you spot a pair that adds to 11, add another card from your pack on top. If it’s a face card (King, Queen, Jack), you close off the pile. You can’t add any more. You keep on going until you can’t find any pairs (in which the game ends) or use up all your cards until all face cards face you.

When you get the latter, you’re chuffed! I squeal with delight and clap my hands. The game is addictive.

Cheap thrills for me there. Life has come to this. ?

If I have a spare moment while cooking, I’ll play a game. During a break from work, I’m at it again.

I never used to play cards. They were banned in our house growing up so that we could never be tempted to learn how to gamble. Luckily, I’m a bit of a tight arse anyway so that was never an issue. However, I think I missed out on learning some social games that got me thinking or having a bit of a laugh in the process. I’m making up for it now by learning some card games that I can play on my own – and it’s been fun.

I head up to Brisbane next week and guess what is coming with me on the plane?

Yep, I’ll be doing the Draper (minus the scotch and the ciggies).