Forty-five (card game)

Forty-fives

A hand of cards in Forty-fives
Origin	Ireland
Alternative names	Forty-Five, Forte Fives, Auction Forty-Fives, Auction 120s, 120, Growl, Spoil Five, Maw and Strong Fives
Family	Trick-taking
Players	2-6
Skills required	Strategy
Cards	24, 2x24, 32, 36
Deck	Anglo-American
Play	Clockwise
Playing time	20 min.
Random chance	Medium
Related games
Spoil Five, Maw

Forty-Fives (also known as Forty-Five, Forte Fives, Auction Forty-Fives, Auction 120s, 120, Growl, Spoil Five, Maw and Strong Fives) is a trick-taking card game that originated in Ireland. It's well known in Eastern Canada and played on the Gaspé Coast in Québec, in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. There are slight variations across the provinces. It is also played in the Merrimack Valley region of Northern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.

There are variations of the game. Traditional Forty Fives goes to a score of 45 point (hence the name of the game). Auction Forty Fives goes to a score of 120 points and requires bidding. In many areas outside of Canada, Auction Forty Fives is simply referred to as Forty Fives. Although the number 45 has no relevance to Auction Forty Fives, the name persisted. Auction Forty Fives is closely related to the game One-hundred and ten (110) also described below.

Forty-Fives is a descendant of the Irish game Spoil Five, which in turn is a descendant of a game that King James VI of Scotland popularized in the 17th century called Maw. Maw was first seen being played in 1511 and the earliest written rules of 1576, the incomplete "Groom Porter's lawes at Mawe," may have originated from Scotland. James VI was recorded playing "Maye" at Kinneil House at Christmas 1588.

In the 1920s, French Canadian immigrants moved south into the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts and New Hampshire and introduced the game there where it continues to be popular, sometimes under the French name quarante-cinq. The game is most popular in southern New Hampshire and northeastern Massachusetts. Forty fives tournaments are becoming more popular. In New England, the New England Academy of 45s holds occasional tournaments in Plaistow, New Hampshire. Also, Methuen, located in the Merrimack Valley, recently held a 45s tournament. John Cavanaugh and Ryan Gill are currently tied for the #1 ranked player spot in the world. A popular pastime on Dog Beach in Newbury, Massachusetts is to play auction 45's, at low tide during green head season.