2004 · GAMES Magazine
Halloween Hustle is played with a standard deck of cards and a supply of candy (or other small items).
At the start of each hand each player receives four cards and a supply of candy is placed in the center of the table: one less than the number of players.
The dealer draws a card from the deck and then passes any of their cards to the player on their left, who then passes any card to the next player, and so on; the player to the right of the dealer ends up discarding a card. In the meantime the dealer draws and passes another card, so players end up all passing cards at the same time. Discards are shuffled when the deck runs out.
When a player has four cards of the same rank they take a piece of candy. All other players may then also take a piece. Starting on the second round the player left without a piece is eliminated from the game. After a player is eliminated, of one player has more candy than anyone else they win. Otherwise another hand is played.
A player may pretend to be about to take a piece of candy to fake out other players. If another player takes a piece in this case, they must give it back along with a piece they already have.
Variant rules are provided for younger children.
(The game says up to 13 players can play, but there's no way to get the game started in that case.)
