Learn to Play Beggar-Thy-Neighbor: Rules & Tips

Objective of the Game

The main objective of Beggar Thy Neighbor is for one player to win all the cards from their opponent, thus rendering them “bankrupt” or “beggar”. Players must rely on the draw of the cards to outlast their opponents and play their cards right to achieve this goal. It’s a game of luck, where the cards decide the fate but a timely play can shift the scales.

Important Terms to Know in Beggar

As with many card games, Beggar Thy Neighbor comes with its own unique set of terms that both beginners and experienced players should be familiar with. Knowing these terms can enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the game. Here’s a glossary of some of the essential terms used in the game:

1. Beggar: Another name for the game itself, this term also refers to the player who loses by having all their cards taken away.

2. Pile: Refers to the stack of cards in the center that players aim to win during their turn.

3. Face Card or Court Card: These are the Jack, Queen, King, and Ace. Each has special rules in the game that require the opponent to play a certain number of cards.

4. Natural: This term is borrowed from other card games and, in the context of Beggar Thy Neighbor, could be used to describe when two cards of the same rank are played consecutively.

5. Bankrupt: This refers to a player who has lost all of their cards to their opponent. The primary objective of the game is to bankrupt your opponent.

6. Spread: Although more commonly associated with the card game Red Dog, in broader card parlance, spread can refer to the range between two cards. In Beggar, the spread isn’t calculated, but understanding card differences can help predict gameplay.

7. Challenge: This is when a face card is played, and the opponent is forced to play a certain number of cards in response, hoping not to reveal another face card which would further continue the round.

8. Capture: The act of winning the pile. When a player successfully wins a round, they capture the cards and add them to the bottom of their stack.

By understanding these terms, players can better grasp the game’s flow, strategize more effectively, and immerse themselves in the enjoyable nuances of Beggar Thy Neighbor.

How to Play Beggar Thy Neighbor

Setting Up the Game

To start playing Beggar Thy Neighbor, you need a standard deck of 52 playing cards. Shuffle the deck thoroughly and split it evenly between all players. If there are an odd number of players, some players will have more cards than the others, which you can either accept or randomly remove cards to even it out.

The first step is to determine who will be the dealer. You can do this by having each player draw a card from the deck, and the player with the highest card becomes the dealer. In the case of a tie, the tied players should draw again until a dealer is determined.

Once you have a dealer selected, they will start dealing the cards face down to each player. Each player should have their stack of cards face down in front of them, and they should not look at their cards.

Card Reveal

The dealer will then turn over the top card from their stack and place it face up in the middle of the table. This is the starting card for the game. If you are playing with only two players, cards are often revealed at the same time.

If you’re playing with more than two players, the game is played clockwise, so the person to the left of the dealer will go first. They will turn over the top card from their stack and place it face up on top of the starting card in the middle of the table. The game will continue in this way, with each player taking turns in a clockwise direction.

Winning Cards

In Beggar Thy Neighbor, turns flow seamlessly and rely heavily on the rank of the cards played. At the beginning of a turn, players reveal the top card of their deck, placing it in the center to create a pile. The card with the highest rank wins, allowing the victorious player to capture all cards, adding them to the bottom of their stack.

Suit doesn’t typically matter in Beggar Thy Neighbor, however there are some variations where matching suits can make the game more challenging.

The game’s real intrigue surfaces when a “face” or “court” card (Jack, Queen, King, or Ace) is played. This sets off a challenge: the opposing player must then play a sequence of cards (the number dictated by the rank of the face card). For example, if a King is played, three cards must be laid down. If none of these additional cards is a face card, the initial player captures the entire pile. But if another face card appears, the challenge shifts back to the original player. This back-and-forth can continue until a player fails the challenge, at which point the other player captures the pile. These dynamics introduce an element of unpredictability and tension to each turn, making each reveal a moment of anticipation and each capture a significant victory.

Rank of Cars in Beggar Thy Neighbor

The ranking of cards in Beggar Thy Neighbor, from highest to lowest, is as follows:

• Ace (highest)
• King
• Queen
• Jack
• 10
• 9
• 8
• 7
• 6
• 5
• 4
• 3
• 2 (lowest)

Court Cards and Their Impact on Gameplay

1. Jack (J):

• When a Jack is played, the opposing player must lay down 1 card.
• If that card is another face card, then the original player must respond according to that card’s rules.
• If it is not a face card, the player who played the Jack wins all the cards in that round.

2. Queen (Q):

• Upon playing a Queen, the opponent must play the next 2 cards.
• If any of those 2 cards is a face card, the original player must now respond to the new face card.
• If no face cards are shown in those 2 cards, the player who played the Queen captures the stack.

3. King (K):

• When a King is laid down, the opponent has to play 3 subsequent cards.
• If within those 3 cards another face card appears, the responsibility shifts back to the original player based on the rank of the new face card.
• If no face card is drawn in these 3 cards, the player who played the King collects the pile.

4. Ace (A):

• An Ace requires the opponent to play the next 4 cards.
• If one of those cards is a face card, then the original player must respond according to that card’s value.
• If all 4 cards are numeric, the player who played the Ace wins the entire pile.

The court cards introduce a challenge to the game, forcing the opposing player to play multiple cards and increasing the stakes. The unpredictability brought by these cards is where the excitement and strategic depth of Beggar Thy Neighbor truly lies. A well-timed court card can turn the tides of the game, either increasing your spoils or pushing you into a tight corner. It’s these moments of tension and surprise that make the game a timeless favorite.

Special Rules

Beggar Thy Neighbor is a fun and easy game to play, but there are some special rules you need to be aware of to make sure everyone is on the same page.

War

If two players turn over cards of the same rank at the same time, then it’s a “war.” Each player then turns over three cards face down and then a fourth card face up. The player with the highest fourth card takes all the cards in the pile.

Slapjack

If a Jack is played, then the first player to “slap” the Jack wins the pile. To slap a Jack, you need to place your hand on top of the Jack before anyone else does.

Snap

If two players turn over cards of consecutive ranks at the same time, then it’s a “snap.” The first player to say “snap” takes the pile.

Strip Jack Naked

If a player runs out of cards, they are not out of the game. Instead, they can continue to play by taking cards from the other players. If they win a hand, they get to take a card from each of the other players. The game continues until one player has all the cards.

Beat Your Neighbor Out of Doors

If a player gets down to one card, they must say “last card.” If they fail to do so and another player catches them, then they must give up one of their cards. If a player gets down to no cards, they are out of the game.

Remember, these are just a few of the special rules that you might encounter while playing Beggar Thy Neighbor. It’s always a good idea to clarify the rules before starting the game to avoid any confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many players can participate in Beggar My Neighbor?

Beggar My Neighbor is traditionally played with two players, but it can also be played with more. There will just be less cards per person the more players there are.

What is the objective of Beggar My Neighbor?

The objective of Beggar My Neighbor is to win all the cards from the other players.

What happens when a player runs out of cards in Beggar My Neighbor?

When a player runs out of cards in Beggar My Neighbor, they are out of the game. The game continues until one player has won all the cards.

What are the basic rules of Beggar My Neighbor?

Each player starts with an equal number of cards. Players take turns flipping over the top card from their stack and placing it in the middle. If the card is a number card, the other player must play a card of the same suit with a higher value. If the card is a face card or an ace, the other player must play a card of the same suit with a face card or an ace. If the player cannot play a card, they must pick up the cards in the middle. The game continues until one player has won all the cards.

Can Beggar My Neighbor be played online?

Yes, Beggar My Neighbor can be played online. There are several websites that offer the game, and it can also be played on mobile devices.

Are there any variations of Beggar My Neighbor?

Yes, there are several variations of Beggar My Neighbor, including “Strip Jack Naked” and “Beat Your Neighbor Out of Doors.” These variations have slightly different rules, but the basic objective of the game remains the same.

Related Card Games

If you enjoy playing Beggar-Thy-Neighbor, you may also enjoy these similar card games:

• War
• Crazy Eights
• Go Fish