# Definitions

- *Zero Clue State (ZCS)*
- When the team has 0 clues.
- *Safe Action*
- A known play, known discard, or card with permission to discard (PTD). This does **not** include *Emergency Actions*, to be clear.
- *Emergency Action* or *Emergency Discard*
- A discard promised to be safe in a Zero Clue State. (It could be a lie if players need to risk the game, so it might not be perfectly safe.) This action must give the team a clue.
- Players should try to avoid taking an *Emergency Action* if possible.
- If you take this action, your partner's next discard is not safe.
- *Default Action* or *Primary Action*
- The safe action other than an *Emergency Action* that a player holds.
- If you take this action, your partner's next discard is ok.
- *Secondary Action*
- The second action other than the *Primary Action* a player holds.
- If you take this action, your partner's next discard is not safe.
- This could be an *Emergency Action*, but it could also be a less-preferred *Safe Action*.

# Convention: Quick Description

When Alice gives a *Play Clue* that takes the team to 0 clues, Alice promises Bob that they hold a non-critical discard (in addition to their play), called an *Emergency Action* or *Emergency Discard*. The team should agree on a clear way to determine this action. (QUESTION: can the play of a 5 also be an *Emergency Action*?)

If Alice entered this state by giving a *Play Clue*, they hold a safe play or discard in their hand from Bob's last turn. If Bob plays (their *Default Action*), they perpetuate the *ZCS* and promise Alice that they have an *Emergency Discard* (in addition to the safe action they already have). At this point, Alice should take their *Emergency Discard* to communicate that the other player's newly-drawn card is unsafe to discard. Otherwise they should take their *Default Action*, giving Bob a new *Primary Discard* on their newly-drawn card.

# Fine Points

While in a *ZCS*, cards given PTD should be marked "ZCS PTD". Because these cards might be useful but not critical, players should favor discarding slot 1 if their partner declines to clue them at 1+ clues.

Players determine which action is their *Default Action* and their *Secondary Action* according to the following order:

- Known play (non-5)
- Play a 5
- Discard known trash (rightmost)
- Discard card most recently noted PTD outside a ZCS
- Discard card most recently noted ZCS PTD
- Emergency discard

If, after Alice's turn, Bob will have

- 1+ clues and a *Safe Action*, or
- two *Safe Actions*, including at least one discard or 5 play,

Alice should take their *Default Action* and this does not mean anything about Bob's chop.

# Additional clarifications and questions

Generally, in a ZCS the player not on turn will only have an emergency discard, and no safe actions. If the player not on turn already has 2 safe actions, at least one of which is a discard, then the player on turn taking an action does not mean anything.

QUESTION: If Alice takes an emergency discard telling Bob that they do not have any action other than an emergency action, should this mean that Bob is temporarily locked? The conventions around exiting a ZCS with a scream are unclear.

# Example

# References

[Original Thread](https://discord.com/channels/923261838836248646/923274227996590130/1055821598545952879)