Kent (game)

Kent is a 4 player card game, played in pairs. Its a game of luck, speed and communication and it is not a very common game.

Object of the Game

The object of Kent is to have four of a kind in your hand and then get your partner to call kent on you. Before the game starts each team is supposed to make a "signal". A signal is a special way to notify your partner that you have kent.

How to Play

The game starts with each team secretly creating their signals. Pairs usually sit opposite to avoid cheating. Then each player is delt four cards. When each player has four cards, four more cards are put down on the table. It then becomes a race to pick up the cards you believe you need to make four of a kind. When four cards are down and each player agrees they do not need them, they become "flushed" and four more cards are placed down on the table.

Once you have four of a kind you must do your signal. If the SomeOne from the other team belives they have seen your signal they can call you "broken". If you have been called broken and you have four of a kind you have lost. If your partner sees your signal and calls out kent on you, your team has won the game. If someone calls you broken and you do not have four of a kind, you win.

Signals

Signals are a very important part of Kent. To win the game you must notify your partner the you have "Kent" (four of a kind or you must be able to know when your oppenent is making a signal. Signals can not to be verbal, but you are allowed to set up other signals. Such as you would be able to say to your partner : "When I Start laughing you have to look at me", so you and your partner keep an eye on each other. If your signal was laughing, you would lose the game. Signals May Be tricky and sneaky but can not be completely unvisible, such as a kick under the table or a pinch.

Here are a few common signals: Silent yawn, stretch, Placing cards down, Folding cards and Placing cards on your leg

Strategies

There are many strategies to Kent, but a very common one is called "feeding". Feeding is a concept of giving a player cards without them realizing it. For example: "X picked up a 2 and you have a pair of 2s in your hand, you would put down your cards to either help them if they are your partner or try to break them if they are your opponent.

Another strategy is counting, this is when you keep track of what your opponents or teammate are picking up so you are aware when to call broken or Kent.

A hard strategry to maintain is complete concentration. Complete concentration is not so much worrying AbOUT you cards but focusing on your partner and opponents.