In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Hebrides, a rugged archipelago off the northwest coast of Scotland, fell under the spell of a card game that seemed to encapsulate the rhythm of island life: Catch the Ten. This humble variation of Scotch Whist became an all-consuming pastime, uniting communities in its grip while subtly redefining how people socialized, worked, and even viewed leisure. During a time when modern distractions were few and life revolved around fishing, farming, and survival,