Books on 25 Irish

What I've written after 20 years of playing, teaching, and researching this incredible game

After years of teaching 25 Irish, I kept getting asked the same questions: "Is there a book I can read?" "Where can I look up this rule?" "How did people play this 100 years ago?" So I wrote three books—each serving a different purpose for players at different stages.

These aren't just transcribed rules or dry reference material. Each book reflects what I've learned from two decades at the table, countless conversations with traditional players across Ireland, and more research into game history than any reasonable person should admit to.

The Three Books

How to Play
25 Irish

A Complete Guide

Paperback • 180 pages ISBN: 978-X-XXXX-XXXX-X

How to Play 25 Irish: A Complete Guide

Everything you need to go from never-played to confident player

This is the book I wish had existed when I was learning. It starts with the absolute basics— what cards you need, how to deal—and systematically builds to tournament-level strategy. Every concept is explained with examples from real games.

What makes this different from just reading rules online? Context. I explain not just what the rules are, but why they exist, how they evolved, and what strategic implications they create. You'll understand the game, not just memorize procedures.

What's Inside:

  • Complete rules explained step-by-step with visual examples
  • Card rankings and trump hierarchy made crystal clear
  • Strategy chapters on trump selection, partnership play, and reading opponents
  • Common mistakes and how to avoid them
  • Practice exercises with detailed explanations
  • Answers to the questions I get asked most often

"Finally, a book that doesn't just list rules but actually teaches you how to think about the game. Clear, comprehensive, and obviously written by someone who truly knows 25 Irish."

— Irish Times Book Review
Buy Paperback - $24.99 Buy eBook - $14.99 Preview First Chapter

25 Irish
Pocket Reference

Quick Guide

Spiral-bound • 48 pages 4" × 6" pocket size

25 Irish Pocket Reference

The quick-lookup guide that fits in your card case

Here's the problem with game night: someone asks about a rule, you're 80% sure you know it, but you don't want to get it wrong. Or a new player joins and needs to see the card rankings. Or there's a scoring dispute and you need to check the actual numbers.

I made this pocket reference to solve exactly those situations. It's small enough to keep with your cards, spiral-bound so it lays flat on the table, and printed on durable stock that won't fall apart after a few game nights. Every page is designed for quick lookups—no flipping through chapters to find what you need.

What's Inside:

  • Card ranking charts (regular suits and trump)
  • Quick-reference scoring tables
  • Common scenarios and their resolutions
  • Trump selection guidelines
  • Partnership signaling reminders
  • Deal rotation and gameplay summary
  • Laminated cover resists spills and wear

"I keep this in my card case. Settles arguments instantly and helps new players learn without slowing down the game. Every regular player should have one."

— Tournament Player, Dublin
Buy Pocket Guide - $12.99 See Sample Pages

Twenty-Five
Original Rules

1850s Edition Recreated

Hardcover • 96 pages Historical reproduction

Twenty-Five: Original Rules (1850s Recreation)

The first rulebook ever written, painstakingly recreated

This is a passion project. During my research into game history, I discovered references to the first printed rulebook for Twenty-Five (as it was called then), published in Dublin in the 1850s. I spent three years tracking down surviving copies in archives, photographing fragile pages, and piecing together the complete text.

What you hold is a faithful recreation: the original rules reproduced in period-appropriate typography, alongside my annotations explaining how the game has evolved. It's part history book, part reference guide, part time capsule. Perfect for anyone fascinated by how traditional games develop over generations.

What's Inside:

  • Complete original text from the 1850s rulebook
  • Modern English translations where Victorian language is unclear
  • My annotations on how rules have changed over 170 years
  • Historical context about card games in 19th century Ireland
  • Archival photographs of original documents
  • Regional variations documented from that era
  • Beautiful hardcover presentation

"A remarkable piece of cultural preservation. This isn't just a rulebook—it's a window into Irish social history. Beautifully produced and thoroughly researched."

— Irish Cultural Heritage Foundation
Buy Hardcover - $34.99 Buy eBook - $19.99 Preview Introduction

The Complete Collection

Get all three books and save

Many readers end up getting all three books eventually—they complement each other well. The How-to-Play guide for learning, the Pocket Reference for game nights, and the Historical Edition for the fascinating backstory.

If you know you want the complete set, the bundle saves you money and they arrive together.

How to Play 25 Irish Paperback $24.99
Pocket Reference Spiral-bound $12.99
Historical Edition Hardcover $34.99
Individual prices: $72.97
Bundle price: $54.99
Save $18
Get the Complete Collection

Free shipping • 30-day money-back guarantee

Why I Wrote These Books

When I started teaching seriously about 15 years ago, I'd recommend books to students and... there weren't any good ones. The few that existed were either out of print, focused on different variations of the game, or just listed rules without any real instruction.

Meanwhile, I was having the same conversations over and over: explaining trump selection, answering questions about scoring, showing people the card rankings for the tenth time. I realized I needed to write this information down—not just for my students, but for anyone trying to learn or teach 25 Irish.

The historical research started differently. I became fascinated by how the game evolved, tracking down old players who remembered different regional variations, reading references in 19th century literature. When I found fragments of that original 1850s rulebook, I became obsessed with piecing it together. Three years later, I had the Historical Edition.

These books represent what I've learned from 20 years of playing, teaching, and researching. They're not perfect—the game is too rich and varied for any book to capture completely—but they're honest attempts to share what I know with anyone who wants to learn.

How to Use These Books

If You're Brand New

Start with How to Play 25 Irish. Read it cover to cover, try the practice exercises, then play some games. Keep the Pocket Reference with you for quick lookups during games. Get the Historical Edition later if you become fascinated by the game's evolution.

If You Played as a Kid

Get the Pocket Reference first to refresh your memory on the rules. If you realize you never really understood strategy (just played instinctively), grab How to Play 25 Irish for the strategy chapters. The Historical Edition will show you how the game you remember has evolved.

If You're Teaching Others

How to Play 25 Irish is your teaching manual—it's structured the way I teach. Give new players the Pocket Reference to take home. Share the Historical Edition with students who get curious about where the game came from.

If You Love Game History

The Historical Edition is for you. It's a deep dive into how 25 Irish developed over 170+ years. Pair it with How to Play 25 Irish to see how the modern game compares to its historical roots.

The Complete Learning System

Books + Mobile Game

Read a strategy chapter, then immediately practice it in the app. The "How to Play" book includes QR codes linking to specific practice scenarios that reinforce each concept.

Get the mobile game →

Books + Coaching

Use the books as your foundation, then work with me directly to master the finer points. Coaching students receive a 20% discount code for all books via email.

Learn about coaching →

What Readers Say

★★★★★

"How to Play 25 Irish is the book I needed 10 years ago. Clear explanations, great examples, and actually teaches strategy instead of just listing rules. Already recommended it to three friends."

Margaret D. Verified Purchase
★★★★★

"The Pocket Reference lives in my card case now. So handy during games when someone questions a rule or a new player needs to see the rankings. Worth it just for the scoring tables alone."

Tom O'Brien Verified Purchase
★★★★★

"The Historical Edition is absolutely fascinating. As someone interested in Irish culture and history, seeing how this game evolved over nearly two centuries was captivating. Beautiful production quality too."

Siobhan K. Verified Purchase

Common Questions

Which book should I buy first?

If you're learning from scratch, start with "How to Play 25 Irish." If you already know the basics and just need quick reference material, get the Pocket Reference. The Historical Edition is for people fascinated by game history—get it whenever that curiosity strikes.

Are the eBooks the same content as print?

Yes, identical content. The eBook versions are PDF format and work on any device. The Pocket Reference is print-only because the whole point is having it physically available during games.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, worldwide shipping available. Shipping costs calculated at checkout based on your location. International orders typically arrive within 2-3 weeks.

Can I buy these in Irish bookstores?

The books are primarily sold direct through this website, but select bookstores in Ireland do carry them. Contact me if you'd like to suggest a bookstore that should stock them.

Are you planning more books?

Possibly. I've been collecting tournament stories and player profiles that might become a fourth book, but I want to make sure there's genuine interest before committing the time. If that sounds interesting to you, let me know.

What's your return policy?

30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. If you're not happy with a book, email me and I'll refund your purchase. You can keep the book—I just want people to be satisfied.