A normal deck of cards is used. All the aces through sixs are removed and placed into there appropriate stacks. Players take turns removing one card and keeping a running total of the pips. The first player to take a card that makes the running total go past 31 loses!This is an old con mans game. Con men have spent years studying the game to get some easy money. If you are offered a game of 31 from a complete and total stranger, don't take it you're not going to win! - BoardGameGeek