FAQ
What is Literature?
Literature is a team card game. Two teams of three ask each other for cards and claim sets of six, and the team with more sets wins.
Is it the same as Fish?
Yes. Fish and Canadian Fish are other names for Literature. The rules change a little from table to table.
Is it like Go Fish?
It comes from the same family, but it is played in teams. There is no pile to draw from, you ask only the other team, and you win a set by saying who holds each card.
How many players does it need?
Six, in two teams of three. When you are short of players, the host can fill seats with bots.
How many cards are there?
54: a standard deck with both jokers. They make nine sets of six, and each player gets nine cards.
Can I ask my teammate for a card?
No. You ask only a player on the other team who still has cards.
Can I ask for a card I already hold?
No. You must hold at least one card of the set, and you cannot ask for a card that you hold.
What happens after a wrong claim?
The other team gets the set. The six cards leave the game either way.
Who plays after a claim?
The team that got the set chooses which of its players goes next.
What if I run out of cards?
You cannot ask, claim or be asked. If the turn comes to you, it passes to a teammate who has cards.
Can a game end in a tie?
No. There are nine sets, so one team always claims five or more.
How long does a game take?
About 30 minutes. Each turn has a 90 second clock; when it runs out, the game asks for a random card for you.
How do friends join my game?
Create a room and send its link, or its 6-character room code. Your friends open the link, or type the code under Join a room.
Can I play alone?
Yes. Play vs bots puts you at a table with five bots at once.
Can I watch a game?
Yes. Open the room's link while its game is on, and you watch without a seat.
Is it free? Do I need an account?
It is free, with no account and no ads. Your name and your games stay linked to your browser.
Where can I play Literature online?
You can play Literature free in your browser at literature.cards, with friends or with bots.