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Playing by the Book: Celebrating National
Playing by the Book: Celebrating National "According to Hoyle" Day in Nassau County
Every August 29th, we celebrate National "According to Hoyle" Day—a holiday dedicated to playing by the rules. The phrase "According to Hoyle" comes from Edmond Hoyle, an 18th-century British writer who literally wrote the book on card games. If you've ever heard someone say, "that's not how you play!" and wished you had the rulebook handy, you can thank Hoyle for setting the standard.
A Brief History of Hoyle
Edmond Hoyle published his first rulebook in 1742, covering Whist (a precursor to Bridge). His name became synonymous with accuracy and fair play. By the 19th century, "according to Hoyle" was common slang for doing things the proper way. Today, his legacy lives on in both classic card game collections and this quirky holiday that gives us an excuse to dust off our game boards and decks.
A Quick Look at Whist—The OG Classic
Whist might not be the hottest game on TikTok, but it's the foundation of so many card classics. Here's the nutshell version of the rules:
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Four players, two teams.
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Partners sit opposite each other.
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Each player is dealt 13 cards.
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The last card dealt determines the trump suit.
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Players follow suit if possible; highest trump or highest card in the suit wins the trick.
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Score one point per trick over six. First team to 9 (or 5, depending on house rules) wins.
That's it! Simple, strategic, and still a blast—especially when the stakes involve bragging rights at the next neighborhood cookout.
Fun Facts to Impress Your Friends
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Hoyle's guides weren't just about cards—he wrote about chess, backgammon, and even probability.
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In the 1800s, some editions of "Hoyle's Games" outsold Shakespeare. (Sorry, Hamlet.)
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Whist was so popular in its heyday that gentlemen's clubs in London were devoted solely to playing it.
Where to Play in Nassau County
Now, here's where living in Nassau County makes the game a little sweeter. When you're done arguing over rules, you can take your crew to some of our local board-gaming and card-playing spots:
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The Game Master - Across Long Island: Formerly of Hicksville, they no longer have a storefront, but organize gaming events all across Long Island.
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The Hideout – Great Neck: A warm, community-driven space where you can play, learn, and discover new tabletop favorites.
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The Comic Book Depot – Wantagh: Not just comics—this local shop also has tournaments and game nights.
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Bonus: Main St Board Game Café – Huntington (just outside Nassau): A cozy spot offering food, drinks, and a wall of games to choose from. Worth the short trip for a full night of fun.
Advance to the Nearest Rail Road
Living in Nassau County isn't just about beautiful homes and easy access to NYC. It's about community. Places where you can bring friends, kids, and neighbors together—whether it's for Whist, Monopoly, or Settlers of Catan (just don't flip the board when you lose).
When you buy a home here, you're buying into neighborhoods that value connection, tradition, and yes—even following the rules (with a wink).
Ready to find a home in a community where game night is just one more reason neighbors become friends? Let's play according to Hoyle—reach out today, and let's deal you into the Nassau County lifestyle.
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