| A trick-avoidance game | |
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Black_Maria-penalty_cards-spades-IMG_6001.jpg) The top penalty cards in Black Maria | |
| Origin | Britain |
|---|---|
| Alternative names | Black Lady |
| Type | Reverse game |
| Players | 3–6 (3 is best) |
| Skills | Card counting, Tactics |
| Cards | 51 cards for 3 players |
| Deck | French |
| Rank (high→low) | A K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 |
| Play | Clockwise |
| Playing time | 10 minutes per hand |
| Chance | Low – moderate |
| Related games | |
| Black Lady • Hearts | |
| Aim: avoid capturing hearts, the ♠A, ♠K or ♠Q | |
Black Maria[a] is a popular British card game of the Hearts group for three to six players. It is an elaboration of Black Lady, itself a development of the original American game of Hearts, the progenitor of the group. Black Maria is regarded as one of the best games for three players.[1]
The name of the game is derived from the nickname given to the Queen of Spades which plays a key role. The name Black Maria is sometimes used, confusingly, for the related American game of Black Lady; likewise this game is occasionally referred to as Black Lady.[b] While many of the games of the Hearts family may be considered as variants of 'basic' Hearts, Black Maria is "sufficiently different and popular" to justify being described as a separate game.[2]
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).
- ^ Arnold 1995, p. 33.
- ^ Arnold 1995, p. 141.