Cultural Assimilation in a Card Game?

In class we did an interesting activity in which the class was seperated into groups of four in which we learned the rules of a card game. Once the rules were understood we were supposed to play the game silently. Then the groups were switched up, the winners and losers rotated to different tables leaving two of the original people at each table. After the new tables were assembled the silent games begun. It soon became apparent that some of the new groups were struggling. We found out that each table had learned different rules! The responses or in some cases the lack there of were so interesting. Some of the tables had given up on being silent where as others were motioning vigorously. Additionaly, others were silent; either paused in confusion or some of the players had given into the others rules. What was the deciding factor in these dynamics? Was it the ratio of players who knew what variation of the rules or was it simply based on the personality of the players? The activity was a great simulation of what it must be like to be in a different culture with a language barrier. An article on wikipedia discussing cultural assimilation explains models to reasons why assimilation does or doesnt occur it is interesting it contrast to the activity we did in class and our discussion of mores and taboos!