Tang, la!

When my cousins and I were little our Grandpa taught us how to play cards and even bet money. The name of the game is Tang but I've heard some other families call it other names.  It usually happens after dinner when someone would yell out "Tang, la!" and everyone would scrounge around for change and bring it to the game table.  Prior to dealing our 5 cards each, we would bet 10 cents each for the lowest spade and 25 cents for the lowest black pair. Back then, that was a lot of money - especially for us kids.  Eventually we would add on and bet on the lowest diamond, red pair or even zebra (red and black pair).  There was never any clear winners but we always had cheaters. Grandpa, for example, would hide the Ace of Spades and none of us clued in every time he won the lowest spade bet.  My brother and his sidekick Brian were always quick to take our coins when we weren't looking or come up short when paying the winner.  But we all cheated when our Grandma would drift off to sleep and slowly her fan of cards would fall for all to see. Last night was no different. As always, it was a loud and rowdy game with rule makers and rule breakers, some of us were short changed, and for some reason my Aunt always won the spade bet. Hmmm, I'm on to you Auntie!  Sunday afternoon we will be going to my Uncle's house for lunch so I will save my change in case someone yells out, "Tang, la!"