Lithuanian Shtetls

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 8:41 pm

Hi.

A good friend whose jewish grandparents were from Russia, claims that they told him of a card game that was played in Lithuanian Shtetls by the title of oki. Apparently it was some version of a poker game. My searches on JewishGenealogy have returned no leads.

Has anyone else heard of this game?

All the best. dennis

momat · Post by **momat** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 5:00 am

Hi Dennis,

There is a game called OKEY
If you search this site

http://www.pagat.com/

Cheers,
Maureen

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 6:22 am

Thanks for that Maureen, I’ll have to check out a mysterious old pack of cards I have in my possession.

Also see this page from the same site: Card games in Lithuania
http://www.pagat.com/national/lithuania.html

In case Okey doesn’t fit could it be

Akis (Eye) (a form of 21 or Blackjack) with 32, 36 or 52 cards, optionally including jokers
or
Ožka (Goat) - a game related to Avinas and 66

Alan

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:53 pm

Thanks Maureen & Alan for those posts. I showed them to the pal that is looking; however, he is quite certain that the game really is called OKI and that regular playing cards were used in this variation of poker.

Much appreciated. dennis

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:55 am

Dennis,

Maybe it’s a regional version or originator of the card game Blind Hookey described here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_Hookey

Also mentioned in the 4th paragraph here http://blog.oup.com/2008/11/dutch_words/

The game is a very old one and is mentioned in google Books as far back as 1801. Here’s one http://books.google.com.au/books?id=N2M ... =&as_brr=1

Just guessing,
Alan