Mao

Basics

Mao is a game played at most TiP campuses, by the result of one or more TiPsters spreading it at their year. In the game of Mao, you are forbidden to speak the rules and must learn by watching and by failing repeatedly. The version of Mao varies greatly from year to year, and most like to say the general rules they play by before starting (even though there is a standard set). It is not entirely uncommon for less strong-willed TIPsters to cry during their first game. New players are usually welcomed into a game given that there are enough cards. However, it is fair to note that these players tend to be card magnets and on some occasions are known to amass over 60 cards in a single game.

Trivia

• Most TiPsters believe that Mao is named after Mao ZeDong, due to the strict rules and punishments
• The highest theoretical number of penalty cards at once is (playing with Ben's/Modified Wake rules, which seemed to be most prevalent around East T1 2K16) is 15 cards. In reality though, the number hovers at around 14 due to the Raymond limit.
• Repeated exposure to Mao is known to cause Mao-style calls outside of the game.
• Games of Mao are sometimes called courts
• Anyone who knows the game can be Chairman in a single court, however, the title usually goes to either the most experienced player or the person who owns the deck.
• There are two forms of Mao: casual and formal.
• In casual Mao, card calls are limited to that play, and some penalties have leeway at the discretion of the Chairperson. This type of game is usually played in a dynamic setting (Bus trips, food lines, class breaks etc). Talking is usually permitted during a casual game due to the social times these games occur. However, if a player breaks a rule that involves speaking a certain word or phrase, "Talking" and its one card penalty is still an acceptable punishment.
• In formal Mao, talking is strictly forbidden, all rules are strictly enforced, and all fun is strictly removed. This type of play is common during tournaments or games between two high level Masters, and subsequently will contain a very low number of novices. In courts of formal Mao, there is an atmosphere of dullness and a lack of emotion. Outside observers may mistake formal Mao with a cult gathering.

Mao Masters and Traditions

At UGA Term II, there is an official Mao Master. This tradition is passed down through multiple relics, the Mao Master Cape, a deck of cards, and a notebook containing the rules. A Google Doc containing the rules also exists, and is shared with all the past Mao Masters. At the end of one of the very last Mao games, the current Mao master will pass down the relics and status of Mao Master to a 3rd year who is returning to UGA term 2.

Here is a list of the official Mao Masters of UGA Term 2:

2016 (and before): Unknown

2017: Max Wolff

2018: Scott Sauers

2019: Kieran Opela

2020: Rachel Edington

At Duke West Term I, there is an official Mao Master. This tradition is passed both orally and through the presentation of a notebook containing the rules. At the end of the term, the current Mao master will hand the notebook, as well as an East-Originated relic, the 10 of Clubs, to the next master.

2018-2019: Jack Southard

2020: Joey Lang

At Duke East Term 1, there are unofficial Mao masters who play sporadic games when asked. Most often, these people will have introduced Mao. along with their specific rules, to a large number of TiPsters, which in turn, will be inclined to default to the Master when asked to play a game.

At Duke East Term 2, there is an official Mao Master. This tradition is passed down through two relics: a (kinda gross) deck of cards and a little blue book containing the rules handwritten by the Mao Masters. It is forbidden for any tipster or Duke staff to read the rule book beyond the first page listing the previous MMs. Each MM may add a rule (or a few), but must give it a name to list it along with the house rules and any other additional rules before beginning the game. Below is a list of all known Mao Masters of Duke East Term 2.

2012: Brendan Reeves

2013: Lily Haskins (spelling is questionable - taken from handwriting in front cover of rule book)

2014: Helen Oxenreider

2015: Mia Sanchey (was originally Eena Sharma; assumed that Eena could not return)

2016: James Weiss-Curry

2017: Micah Reisner

2018: Margaret Kirchner

2019: Megan Hodge

2020: Brooke Medley

This wiki page contains the rules of Mao for duke east term one. However, they are encrypted. To add more, use the Python encrypter here (backup link: tinyurl.com/EncodeMaoRules)

BASIC MAO RULES

• There is only one rule of Mao I can tell you. Thou shall not discuss the rules of Mao.

The following code does only applies to duke east term one.

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