Game Mechanics

This document explains the rules and mechanics of Notty.

Overview

Notty is a card game for 2-3 players where the objective is to be the first to empty your hand by discarding valid card groups.

Deck Composition

Total cards: 90
Colors: Red, Green, Yellow, Black, Blue (5 colors)
Numbers: 1 through 9 (9 numbers)
Duplicates: 2 of each color-number combination

Example: There are 2 Red 5s, 2 Blue 3s, etc.

Game Setup

Players: 2-3 (1 human, 1-2 computer)
Starting hand: 4 cards dealt face-up to each player
Hand limit: Maximum 20 cards per player
Turn order: Players take turns in sequence

Turn Actions

On your turn, you can perform multiple actions. Most actions can only be done once per turn.

1. Draw 1-3 Cards (once per turn)

Draw between 1 and 3 cards from the deck
You choose how many to draw
Cannot exceed the 20-card hand limit

2. Steal Card (once per turn)

Take a random card from an opponent's hand
The opponent's hand is shuffled before you take a card
You cannot see which card you'll get

3. Draw & Discard (once per turn, two-step)

This is a two-step action:

Draw: Draw one card from the deck
Discard: Discard one card back to the deck

Useful for cycling through cards when you need specific numbers or colors.

4. Discard Group (unlimited per turn)

Discard a valid group of cards (see Valid Groups below)
This is the main way to reduce your hand size
You can discard multiple groups in one turn
Discarded cards are shuffled back into the deck

5. Next Turn (always available)

End your turn and pass to the next player
Use this when you're done performing actions

6. Play for Me (always available)

Let the AI make a move for you
Useful when learning the game or when stuck
The AI uses the same Q-Learning strategy as computer players

Valid Card Groups

You can only discard cards if they form one of these two valid group types:

Sequence (Run)

3 or more consecutive cards of the same color

Examples:

Blue 4, Blue 5, Blue 6 ✓
Red 1, Red 2, Red 3, Red 4 ✓
Green 7, Green 8, Green 9 ✓

Invalid:

Blue 4, Blue 6, Blue 7 ✗ (not consecutive)
Blue 4, Red 5, Green 6 ✗ (different colors)

Set

4 or more cards of the same number with different colors

All colors must be unique (no duplicate colors allowed).

Examples:

Blue 4, Green 4, Red 4, Yellow 4 ✓
Red 7, Blue 7, Black 7, Green 7, Yellow 7 ✓

Invalid:

Blue 4, Red 4, Blue 4 ✗ (duplicate color)
Blue 4, Green 4, Red 4 ✗ (only 3 cards, need at least 4)

Win Condition

The first player to empty their hand wins immediately!

As soon as a player has 0 cards in their hand, the game ends and that player is declared the winner.

Special Rules

Card Recycling

When you discard a group, those cards are shuffled back into the deck
This means discarded cards can be drawn again later
The deck is reshuffled after each discard action

Hand Limit

Maximum 20 cards per player
If you have 20 cards, you cannot draw more
The game enforces this limit automatically

Computer Delay

Computer players have a 1-second delay between actions
This makes it easier to follow what's happening
The AI uses Q-Learning to make strategic decisions

Action Tracking

Most actions can only be performed once per turn
The "Discard Group" action can be performed unlimited times
Action availability is reset at the start of each turn

Strategy Tips

Form groups early: Try to collect cards that can form sequences or sets
Watch opponents: Steal from players with many cards
Use Draw & Discard: Cycle through cards when you need specific ones
Discard often: The more you discard, the closer you are to winning
Watch the deck: If the deck is low, be strategic about drawing
Learn from AI: Use "Play for Me" to see what the AI would do

Game Flow Example

Your turn starts (black border around your hand)
Draw 2 cards from the deck
Discard a group (Blue 4, Blue 5, Blue 6)
Discard another group (Red 7, Blue 7, Green 7, Yellow 7)
Click "Next Turn" to end your turn
Next player's turn begins

For more information, see the AI System documentation.