combination determines which beats which. Thus, if is led, it can be beaten by , because the highest card of the second sequence () outranks the highest card of the first sequence (). Naturally, it would also be beaten by any 10 J Q or higher sequence. Passing and playing continues around until there is a card or combination that no one can beat. Once a player has passed, they may not play again to this pile, but players may contribute more than 1 card or combination to the pile as long as they have not yet passed. When the winning card or combination has been determined, its player gathers the pile, sets it to the side, and leads any card or combination to a fresh pile. Bombs The exceptions to the strict rule of matching type and beating rank are called bombs and they may be played only against presently-winning 2s as follows: A single 2 may be beaten by any quartet, as A single 2 may also be beaten by any double sequence of 3+ pairs, as A pair of 2s may be beaten by any double sequence of 4+ pairs, as A triplet of 2s may be beaten by any double sequence of 5+ pairs, as A bomb is not unbeatable but, once played, its type becomes the type that the other players must match and beat, rather than that of the card or combination originally led to the current pile. Ending the game As players play their last cards, they drop out of play. If the leader to a new pile has no cards remaining, the lead passes to the next active player to the left. The game ends when only one player is left with any cards. That player is the loser. In a gambling game, the loser pays each other player a fixed stake; in a drinking game, they buy the next round; in a friendly game, they suffer the humiliation of defeat. Variants Number of players 2-4 may play, being dealt 13 cards each; alternatively 3 players may be dealt 17 cards each. 5 to 8 may play using a doubled deck of 104 cards. Either deal out 13 cards to each player, or deal out as many cards to each player as may be done equally. In all cases, any excess cards have no further role in the hand, and may be