Two Buys Per Round...

With at least 20 years banked at playing Shanghai, there hasn't been very many times that a player has gotten to the 7th round and laid down their cards without buying at least once.  Typically, buying twice allows one's hand to be "looser"; since you have more cards,  it gives you the freedom to change suits at the last minute (especially if the game is going slow, your playing with a rookie, or your playing with my Mom).

Sam, Riley, John and I have been playing Shanghai for two nights in a row.  "Yours Truly" was the winner the first night with a minimum of 25 points.  The second night my husband John won the game.  Seems his new, unlucky hat from the first night had struck some virtue and helped him win the second game.

When John (and his hat) went out the last night during the 7th round, he looked at me sheepishly.  I thought it was because he had won the game.  Then the twinkle is his eye shone:  he went down and out without having bought any cards.  I looked at him as if he had won a lottery ticket.  He said, "I guess you can go down and out without buying at all!"

Professionally speaking (and putting aside my loss), I do not recommend putting faith and energy into superstitions to help you get the edge in winning Shanghai.  Once good luck charms are discovered, it can annoy other players at the table.   A pledge of revenge may be planned.  Then it gets ugly...  One never knows if the "lucky" hat can't be found for the next match! 

LESSON:  Never let the competition get the edge; be it a new hat, rock, rabbit's foot (do they still sell these?), or other gimmicks to shatter your confidence.


This picture has not been tampered with.  It is real.