Trivial pursuits

My daughter-in-law, who is of Indian descent, introduced me to the following entertaining card game, which apparently is much played in the Punjab. The rules are simple, and it's a sort of reverse trick taking game. Best with at least four players. Cards rank as normal - Ace (high) down to two. The entire pack is dealt out - doesn't matter if some players get one card more than others. Whoever has the Ace of Spades starts by playing it. Play proceeds clockwise with each player following suit if they can. If all players follow suit, then the cards played are gathered up and put to one side and take no further part in the game. The player who played the highest card now leads to the next hand. If a player cannot follow suit he/she can play any card they wish, and this immediately stops that hand. The player who played the highest card of the suit led must now pick up the cards that have been played and add them to his/her hand. They then lead to the next hand. The object is not to be the last player left with cards. Any player at any time can ask another player to give them their cards - this is essentially a request, but as the object is to get rid of your cards as soon as possible they would hardly refuse. There may be various reasons why you would want to do this, which would become more apparent the more you play. If a player has played their last card, and it would otherwise be their turn to lead to the next hand, then the player to their left leads. The game is known as "Bhabhi" which is what you call the loser - not quite sure why, because apparently it means "sister-in-law".