Editing Mao (card game) (section)

== History ==
Mao is most likely descended from the German game [[Mau Mau (card game)|Mau Mau]]. It may have influenced the game [[Eleusis (card game)|Eleusis]], which was published in [[Martin Gardner]]'s column in ''[[Scientific American]]'' in June 1959.<ref>{{cite journal| journal=Scientific American|date=June 1959| first=Martin| last=Gardner|title=Mathematical Games|volume=201|issue=2|page=128|doi=10.1038/scientificamerican0859-128|bibcode=1959SciAm.201b.128G}}</ref> Both of these games share similar principles of [[inductive reasoning]].

Other inductive games in which not all players know the rules include [[Penultima (game)|Penultima]] and [[Zendo (game)|Zendo]]; however, the secret rules in those games are made up at the start of play and disclosed at the end of each round, and the scope and subject matter of Eleusis, Penultima or Zendo rules may be more explicit and closely circumscribed.

Mao's name and rules are a reference to [[Mao Zedong|Chairman Mao Zedong]]'s rule over China. The rules not being explained are an allusion to the laws in China at the time being in constant flux, leading to many people being arrested for laws they did not know were in place.{{cn|date=February 2025}}