Victory for Junior Warden at Inter-Livery card game

On Monday 3rd February, the Junior Warden represented the Company at the Annual Inter Livery Card Games Event for Junior Wardens of Liveries hosted by the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards (WCMPC) at Drapers Hall.

There were about 85 or so livery companies represented and total attendance was around 180 for a very amenable Champagne reception and dinner followed by a card game for all present. The Junior Wardens’ Card Game – called the Swedish Pursuit, was a variation by the WCMPC of a game called Crazy Eights and indeed other names such as Nines, Crates and Switch, and was played in groups of five.

The game involved starting with five cards and then trying to get rid of your cards as quickly as possible under certain rules and penalties. The game was played over 10 rounds and the object was to accumulate as few points as possible. Points being awarded to players, after each round, according to the value of the cards still in their hands after the first person in each group of five had got rid of all their cards.

Coachmakers may be pleased to learn that the Junior Warden managed to achieve the lowest number of points, thus claiming first prize for the evening and earning a trophy and a special pack of the Master of the WCMPC cards of his year. Quite astounding but very enjoyable and must reveal a misspent youth, and indeed life, playing all kinds of card games!

The Inter Livery Bridge evening also held under the auspices of WCMPC, is being held at Drapers’ Hall on 3rd March. There are usually 50+ liveries represented. The Junior Warden and his wife have attended for some eight or so years and will be there again, but have no high expectations other than a desire not to win the wooden spoon, which they have successfully managed to avoid in the past!