How to play Thirty-One with Gather

1. Set up a game

   Without a TV: in the Gather app, under “Play without a TV”, choose “Thirty-One”, then “Play the computer” or “Invite friends (2–6)”. With an Apple TV, iPad or Mac: choose the game, “With your phones” or “With computer opponents”, then “Open a room”.

2. Ready and start

   Everyone taps “Ready” in the lobby, then start with “Start game” – on the table screen or on any phone.

3. Check your cards

   Your three cards sit at the bottom of your phone with “Your value”, and the “Middle” is above them. A hint line tells you what you’re allowed to do this turn, such as “Swap, pass or knock”.

4. Swap one card

   Tap one of your cards, then “Now tap a card in the middle”. Gather asks “Swap this card?”, shows your new value and swaps once you confirm.

5. Swap all, pass, knock

   Below that are three buttons: “Swap all” (with a confirmation and the new value), “Pass” and “Knock”. “Knock” is only tappable when it’s allowed.

6. Show your cards

   When someone knocks, every device shows “… knocked – last turn for everyone”. Then Gather reveals all hands, their values and who loses a life. The next round starts after a few seconds, or right away with “Continue” – on a phone or the table screen.

7. Finish and play again

   The last player still afloat wins. “Play again” starts a new game, “Leave room” ends it for you.

With or without a TV

Without a TV, one iPhone becomes the host; friends on the same Wi-Fi join with the code, in the app or in a browser. Every phone then shows everything you need: the middle, your own cards, the others’ lives and what just happened.

With an Apple TV, iPad or Mac, the middle is laid out large on the table, along with the dealer, whose turn it is, who knocked and how many have passed. The TV only shows your hand cards at the reveal.

The rules of Thirty-One