The "Dicey Topic" thread got me thinking about card-based mechanics as well. Simply sticking to games that use standard decks of playing cards ... what pure card game mechanics would be interesting to put into a board game? Have you seen any not-quite-pure-card-games use standard decks of cards in interesting ways?
The first card game mechanic that I think of (which I *will* work into a game sometime ;)) is from a version of 5-player Sheepshead (link to basic rules) ... it's my favorite way to play. Instead of the picker choosing an Ace for their partner, the partner is always whoever has the Jack of Diamonds in his hand. The "solve the mystery" feel to the hand (before the Jack is revealed) adds tremendously to the game for me. You really get to learn how people play the game based upon their status (picker, partner, "other side") each hand.
As for my other question ... the game I'll be submitting to the GDW next week uses playing cards for a couple purposes -- building things & resolving combat -- in a modified version of what I did in my Keeps & Moats: Scepter of Power design (link).
-Bryk
