Fallout: New Vegas/Caravan

Caravan is a betting mini-game in Fallout New Vegas. It requires a deck of cards, which may be obtained from Ringo in Goodsprings.

Rules
Before the game, players may construct their deck from any number of playing cards, creating a deck of at least 30 cards.

Each player has a hand of cards, and three face-up piles representing caravans each in opposition to the other player. To win, a player needs to claim two of the three caravans by being higher than the opponent and within the value of 21 through 26 (inclusive).


 * Both players start by drawing 8 cards.
 * For the first three turns, players will place a starting card in their caravan.
 * After the first three turns, players may do one of the following:
 * Play a card to a caravan, and draw a card
 * Discard a card, and draw a card.
 * Discard one of their caravans.

Each caravan has a suit, which is the latest card on that caravan, and a direction, which is either ascending or descending based on the last two cards.

To play a card on a pile:
 * A numerical card (Ace, 2-10) may be played on an empty caravan, a caravan that matches the suit, the ascending or descending direction of the caravan. It may not be played on a card of the same rank. These cards provide the listed value to the card, ace providing one point.
 * A Jack may be played on any card on either player. This removes the card from the caravan, along with other attached face cards.
 * A Queen may be attached to any value card (Ace, 2-10). This changed the suit of the caravan, and reverses the caravan direction. Multiple queens may be played on a card.
 * A King may be attached to any value card, doubling its point value. Multiple kings may be placed on the same card, each doubling the value again.
 * A Joker may be played on a value card. If played on an ace, it removes all other value cards of the same suit matching the ace. If played on number cards 2-10, it removes all other cards of the same value. Multiple jokers can be played on the same card.

The game ends when the three caravans are sold - each lane has a value of 21-26, and is not drawn by the opposing caravan.

Strategy
The best strategy is to quickly build caravans before the opponent, especially when most opponents generally have sub-optimal decks. To fulfill this, the best deck consists of 10s, 8s, 6s, and kings.

This results in two major combinations: Either a doubled 10 plus a 6, or a 10 plus a double 8. This combination allows getting the caravan built quickly, with only three cards needed per pile. If there aren't enough cards for the set, you can still find some fillers, such as extra queens, or

Players
The gamblers are scattered throughout the region, with a varying number of caps. They also have decks of their own, although the optimal strategy will tend to overpower the need to study the opponent's decks. Merchants that play will bet around 25% of their stored caps, but will often have a limit of 5 games.


 * Ringo, in Goodsprings, is the easiest player and has around 200-230 caps. His deck is diamond heavy: ♣A23469K ♦A34678910Q ♠246789J ♥24689Q Joker.
 * Johnson Nash, in Primm. Maximum 5 games.
 * Lacey, at the Mojave Outpost's bar. Maximum 5 games.
 * Cliff Briscoe, in Novac's Dino Bite Gift Shop. Plays only up to 5 games.
 * No-bark Noonan, in Novac. He holds 2000 caps. His deck is similar to Ringo, with extra face cards from non-Tops casinos: ♣A23469JK ♦A34678910JJQQ ♠24678910JJJQQ  ♥24689Q + 3 Jokers.
 * Quartermaster Mayes, at Camp Forlorn Hope. Maximum 5 games.
 * Keith, in Aerotech suite 200
 * Little Buster, at Camp McCarran.
 * Isaac, at Gun Runners.
 * Jules, in North Vegas Square.
 * Jed Masterson, in the Northern Passage (requires Honest Hearts DLC).
 * Ambassador Dennis Crocker, in the NCR Embassy. Has 2000 caps.
 * Private Jake Erwin, in the NCR Embassy.
 * Dale Barton, in The Fort. The only merchant that allows unlimited plays. Deck: ♣A24678910JK ♦A245789QK ♠A34678910JQK ♥23468910JK Joker