Crazy Eights

Crazy Eights is a shedding-type card game for the eight leaders of the countries considered to be the top eight economic powerhouses on earth. Each leader is dealt a set of eight distinct cards with each bearing the likeness of one of the eight leaders. The object of the game is to be the first leader to get rid of all of his or her cards on the discard pile. Rules vary from year to year and are routinely ignored resulting in high-jinks, hurt feelings, and enough 'Breaking News!' to totally satisfy the editors of each cable news network. In the most recent game (2014) seven cards bearing the likeness of the Russian leader Vladimir Putin were placed on the discard pile and he was then eliminated from the game. Fearing no retribution, many thought Putin's taking of Ukraine's Crimea may have contributed to his early exit from the game. Others speculate that the seven other leaders were uncomfortable with Putin constantly flexing his pectoralis major muscles on his shirtless chest.