The goal
Be the first to get rid of all your cards, by playing them face down and claiming what they are.
Setup
3 to 8 players, one 52-card deck (two decks shuffled together for a big group). Only ranks matter.
The deal
Deal the whole deck one at a time. Some players may get one more card. The player left of the dealer starts.
A turn
- Play one to four cards face down on the pile and say how many and which rank.
- Ranks go in order: aces, 2s, 3s up to kings, then aces again.
- You must play every turn, and you may lie about what you play.
Special cards
- Anyone may call “Cheat!” right after a play: turn those cards face up.
- If they were not what was claimed, the player takes the whole pile.
- If they were, the caller takes the whole pile. Play carries on in turn.
Scoring
- No points. Fewer cards in your hand means you are closer to winning.
Winning
The first player to empty their hand, and survive any challenge on the last play, wins.
House rules
- Up, down or the same. Instead of a fixed order, you may claim the rank just above, just below or the same as the last claim.
- Up or down. You choose between the next rank up and the next rank down.
- Big group. With many players, shuffle two or more decks together. Claims of five or more of a rank then become possible.
