Moose: History on the real card-game "Stook"

[Moose]

Guys,

I'm doing an article shortly about the game of Canadian (21) Stook, and as part of it, I would like to have a brief history on the card game "stook" on which it is based.

The problem is, I can find NOTHING on the net, which is really odd. Searches for "five card charlie" (a five card unbusted hand, an automatic winner in stook) reveals over 30,000 sites and none of the first two-hundred relate to stook, only to an alternate blackjack rule. As well, nothing on "aces back-to-back" even shows up.

If there are any old timers that can give me a hint on how the game is played, that'd be appreciated. I think I remember enough to put something convincing in, but I always like to be as educated as possible.

M.

[Jake {|:>)]

Hi
If you still live in Calgary get in touch with Bob Wormington or Bob Wilkinson. Last I heard they lived there. Wormy and Wilkie were both pretty good at it. The game was played in the old days by miners and military personnel. We played it as high schoolers in the military base in Soest Germany. Several of the young soldiers also played it with us. I played Stook before I played 21.
It was a rotating deal pot limit bet game as I recall and the dealer had no fixed strategy.

A trip to your local Legion for help would probably also get you what you want.

Jake Smallwood

> Guys,

> I'm doing an article shortly about the game
> of Canadian (21) Stook, and as part of it, I
> would like to have a brief history on the
> card game "stook" on which it is
> based.

> The problem is, I can find NOTHING on the
> net, which is really odd. Searches for
> "five card charlie" (a five card
> unbusted hand, an automatic winner in stook)
> reveals over 30,000 sites and none of the
> first two-hundred relate to stook, only to
> an alternate blackjack rule. As well,
> nothing on "aces back-to-back"
> even shows up.

> If there are any old timers that can give me
> a hint on how the game is played, that'd be
> appreciated. I think I remember enough to
> put something convincing in, but I always
> like to be as educated as possible.

> M.

[Vicki]

I grew up playing stook all thru my childhood. Family get togethers became unweildy,then less frequent and I hadn't played the game in 15-20 years. My sister and I played it with our children last night.

I found the only other response here interesting. I come from a family of coal miners. I came searching for info and found nothing. Shocking! I thought there was info on everything on-line. I had a bit of trouble remembering the rules because I've been playing blackjack instead and the rules mix up a bit.

I hope you found what you needed. I love the game. I found that it taught me responsible gambling at a young age.

> Guys,

> I'm doing an article shortly about the game of
> Canadian (21) Stook, and as part of it, I would like
> to have a brief history on the card game
> "stook" on which it is based.

> The problem is, I can find NOTHING on the net, which
> is really odd. Searches for "five card
> charlie" (a five card unbusted hand, an automatic
> winner in stook) reveals over 30,000 sites and none of
> the first two-hundred relate to stook, only to an
> alternate blackjack rule. As well, nothing on
> "aces back-to-back" even shows up.

> If there are any old timers that can give me a hint on
> how the game is played, that'd be appreciated. I think
> I remember enough to put something convincing in, but
> I always like to be as educated as possible.

> M.

[PunkEye]

> I grew up playing stook all thru my childhood. Family
> get togethers became unweildy,then less frequent and I
> hadn't played the game in 15-20 years. My sister and I
> played it with our children last night.

> I found the only other response here interesting. I
> come from a family of coal miners. I came searching
> for info and found nothing. Shocking! I thought there
> was info on everything on-line. I had a bit of trouble
> remembering the rules because I've been playing
> blackjack instead and the rules mix up a bit.

> I hope you found what you needed. I love the game. I
> found that it taught me responsible gambling at a
> young age.

As I recall the rule set(non-standard), it went something like this:

Single deck
BJ pays 1:1
No insurance or surrender
No splitting or doubling at any time
Deal to last card
Rotating deal to players

Only profitable by banking and ridiculous to play.