Expert: Don - 5/25/2011

Question
I'm trying to find out the name of a card game I played in 1970's with my family. The game included a plastic tray that sat in the middle of the table (there was a picture of a black kitty in the middle cup). There were 6-8 plastic cups that surrounded this center cup.... and you would put money in each cup. After a hand was dealt.... you would try to obtain the card sequence on the cup (6-7-8 of spades) or (3 Aces) etc.....

each hand.... players would add more money to the cups..... and the pots of cash would grow until someone was dealt that sequence of cards.....

any help?

Answer
Hi Steven,  Thanks for your great question about a very popular game. You are describing a game called Michigan Rummy by Transogram.  If you wish to see a picture of this game just copy and paste this link into your internet browser.  http://www.donsgamecloset.com/michiganrummy1958.html
Once you are on this page, you can see related games with links to click to see other variations of this game.  Yours probably looks like one of the Transgram versions of the game.  Michigan Rummy is known by many other names, such as Rummy Royal, Royal Rummy and Tripoley in North America; Poch in Europe (especially in Germany); and Calliente in Australia.  For the most part, all versions of this game are basically played by the same rules even though they may be published with different types of game boards.  Enjoy.  Let me know if I can be of further assistance, Steven.  Best regards always, Don