Who plays ROOK? (live, store, kids)

[PathResMD]

I'm from WV (and I say that in every post, sorry!) and grew up watching and then playing Rook with my family. My uncle lives in SC now but we still play every time I go visit him. He tells me that when he was a kid (50s) every little store in WV always had 6 men sitting outside: 2 playing checkers and 4 playing Rook.
When I got here I went through sort of a boring patch, not knowing anyone, until I was in need of some handyman type assistance and was introduced to a guy through a former coworker who had just moved away. I asked this guy how he knew our friend, and though they met through a different hobby, they were in the habit of meeting for a weekly Rook game.
I was amazed, because I thought nobody but my family had ever even heard of it. None of my friends ever had, for sure. He was sort of struck the same way, thinking it was strictly a TN game.
So I did some research. According to Wikipedia (scholarly, I know), they actually play "West Tennessee" rules, for the most part, though the new friend is from here and the coworker from middle TN. They play a few weird rules that my family never did (and I was hilariously informed by my uncle that they equal crosstalk, and "we shoot people for that around here") but for the most part its the same and I've had no problems filling in that vacant spot at the table.
Who on here plays (or has heard of) Rook? Any special rules?

[jabogitlu]

My family has always played Rook. I have to admit I prefer spades and hearts, but I've played my fair share, as well.

Just curious - I have a good friend at Quillen right now who meets for weekly (or so) rook matches. Judging by your screen name, I feel like maybe you're talking about the same person! hahaha

[DubbleT]

I vaguely remember Rook from my childhood in MI. Haven't played in a hundred years and don't remember much about it. I was always more of a Cribbage fanatic, which seems to be practically unheard of in the south.

[GingerSue]

I haven't played since I was a kid, but I remember it was the game back in the 70s. Gosh, I had forgotten all about it!

[KptTN]

Well, I am from Michigan but have lived here for almost 35 years. My family and I play Rook routinely - I know we don't follow the instructions to the letter, but nothing too unusual. I am also a cribbage fanatic, but can't interest my kids in playing at all - I have to wait until my mother comes to town, then we play non-stop!

[rccrain]

Cribbage? Is that anything like Quidditch?

[blindsolitude]

I LOVE Rook! I played it all the time while in undergrad.