Ace Duce

Recommended ages: 10 and older

Number of players: 3 - 8

Average playing time: 30 - 60 minutes

Introduction to Ace Duce

Ace Duce, also known as "In-Between" or "Between the Sheets," is an exciting card game that combines luck with strategic betting decisions. This fast-paced game has been a favorite among families and friends for generations, offering just enough suspense to keep everyone on the edge of their seats. The game gets its name from the best possible hand - an Ace and a Deuce (2) - which creates the widest possible spread for winning.

What makes Ace Duce perfect for family gatherings is its simple rules that anyone can learn quickly, yet it provides enough excitement to keep both kids and adults engaged. The game works wonderfully for family game nights, reunions, or casual get-togethers where you want something that's easy to teach but thrilling to play.

How to Play Ace Duce

The goal of Ace Duce is to correctly predict whether a third card will fall between two face-up cards in rank. Players take turns being the active player while others wait for their chance.

To set up the game, give each player an equal number of chips, buttons, or small items to use as betting tokens. Each player contributes one chip to create the starting pot in the center of the table. Shuffle a standard 52-card deck and choose the first dealer randomly.

During each turn, the dealer places two cards face-up on the table with space between them for a third card. The active player examines these cards and decides how much to bet - anywhere from one chip up to the entire pot. Cards are ranked from lowest to highest: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace (Aces are always high).

After placing their bet, the dealer reveals the third card. If this card's rank falls between the two face-up cards, the player wins and takes back their bet plus an equal amount from the pot. If the third card matches either of the face-up cards or falls outside their range, the player loses their bet and it goes into the pot.

Special situations include: if the two face-up cards are consecutive (like 7 and 8), the player automatically loses without drawing a third card. If the two cards are identical, the player automatically wins a small bonus. The turn then passes to the next player clockwise, and the process repeats.

Popular Variations

The "Match Penalty" variation adds extra excitement - if the third card exactly matches one of the face-up cards, the player pays double their original bet. This makes betting more strategic, as players must consider not just the spread but also the risk of matching.

For younger players or more conservative families, try "Fixed Bet" Ace Duce where everyone bets the same amount each turn, removing the pressure of betting decisions while keeping the prediction element fun.

The "Last Card Wild" variation allows players to declare what they want the third card to be before it's revealed, adding an element of wishful thinking that kids especially enjoy.

Tips and Strategy

Understanding the odds is key to success in Ace Duce. The wider the spread between your two cards, the better your chances of winning. An Ace-Deuce spread (Ace and 2) gives you the best odds since almost any card will fall between them - only another Ace or 2 will cause you to lose.

Conservative players should bet small amounts when the spread is narrow (like Queen-King) and larger amounts when the spread is wide. Expert players keep track of which cards have already been played to calculate their true odds more accurately.

When the pot grows large, resist the temptation to "bet the pot" unless you have an excellent spread. Remember that even with good odds, there's always a chance of losing, and losing a large bet can put you out of the game quickly.

For family play, encourage younger players to think about their bets rather than betting impulsively. Help them understand that a 4-7 spread (only 5 and 6 can win) is much riskier than a 3-Jack spread (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 can all win).

Family-Friendly Modifications

When playing with children aged 8-10, consider using tokens like buttons or beans instead of chips to keep the focus on fun rather than winning and losing. You can also implement a "help rule" where younger players can ask for advice about whether a bet is smart before committing to it.

To keep games shorter for younger attention spans, start with smaller pots and consider setting a time limit rather than playing until someone runs out of chips. This ensures everyone gets plenty of turns and the game ends while excitement is still high.