How to Play the Card Game Cheat (AKA Liar or BS)

Players	3-6 Players
Difficulty	3/10
Recommended Age	8+
Game Category	Bluffing

Objective of Winning in Cheat

In Cheat, the objective is simple: be the first to get rid of all your cards. Achieving this requires both strategic card play and effective bluffing skills. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

Key Points

• Empty Hand: Aim to be the first player with no cards left in your hand. This means discarding all your cards successfully, either through truthful or deceptive plays.
• Bluff Effectively: Bluffing (lying about the card you’re placing) is essential. However, if another player catches your bluff, you must pick up the pile.
• Call “Cheat”: Pay attention to others’ discards. If you suspect they’re lying, call “Cheat”. If you’re right, they pick up the pile; if wrong, you do.
• Read Opponents: Observing and predicting opponents’ moves can provide an advantage, especially in identifying their lies more accurately.
• Use Strategy: Balance playing cards honestly and bluffing. Too much of either can be risky.

Winning Dynamics

Key Aspect	Description
Bluffing	You need to bluff convincingly but not too often to avoid being caught.
Observation	Watching opponents’ behavior and card patterns helps in calling “Cheat”.
Control	Managing the number of cards in your hand carefully can steer you towards victory.

1. Card Sequence Knowledge: Knowing the sequence of cards can help in anticipating what others might play.
2. Confidence in Bluffing: Bluff with confidence but be prepared to back down if it’s too risky.
3. Mind Games: Use psychological tricks to unsettle other players, such as hesitations or mixing truthful and false plays.

Understanding these aspects will enhance your gameplay and inch you closer to victory.

Setting Up the Game

What You Need to Play Cheat

To begin playing BS, gather the essential items and players. The game needs a standard deck of cards and 3 to 10 players.

Essential Items:

• Standard deck of 52 cards
• Flat playing surface

Player Requirements:

• Minimum of 3 players
• Maximum of 10 players

Shuffling and Dealing Cards

Before the game starts, thoroughly shuffle the deck. Deal the entire deck evenly among all participants. If cards don’t divide evenly, some players may get more cards, which is acceptable for gameplay.

1. Shuffle the deck.
2. Deal cards one at a time to each player.
3. Continue until all cards are dealt.
4. Ensure players keep their cards hidden.

Establishing the Card Rank Order

To play effectively, agree on the rank order of the cards. Typically, BS uses the following rank:

Rank	Card
1	Ace
2	2
3	3
4	4
5	5
6	6
7	7
8	8
9	9
10	10
11	Jack
12	Queen
13	King

Deciding the Starting Player

Randomly determine the starting player. Common methods include drawing straws, flipping a coin, or having the youngest player go first. Announce the starting player to all participants.

1. Pick a method to choose the starting player.
2. Announce the chosen player.

Setting up the game Cheat, also known as Bullshit, involves these key steps. Ensure all players understand the rank order and rules before beginning play.

Game Rules

Understanding the rules of Cheat, is vital for both newcomers and enthusiasts. Mastery comes from a clear grasp of the gameplay mechanics.

Playing the Cards

Each player takes a turn, starting with the player to the dealer’s left. During your turn, you must place one or more cards face-down in the center of the table and declare them as one rank higher than the previous card declared. For example, if the last player declared a 4, you must declare a 5. If the sequence reaches King, it returns to Ace. Bluffing is allowed, meaning you can lie about the cards’ ranks.

1. Place 1+ cards face-down.
2. Declare the rank, one higher than last.
3. Bluffing is permitted.

Calling “Cheat”

After a player places their cards, others can call “Cheat” if they suspect the declaration is false. This must happen before the next player takes their turn. When you suspect dishonesty, saying “Cheat” forces the current player to reveal the cards they just played.

1. Call out “Cheat”
2. Do this before next player’s turn.
3. Player reveals their played cards.

Consequences of Calling “Cheat”

Revealing the cards determines the outcome. If the player lied about their cards, they must pick up all the center pile cards. If the accused player was truthful, the accuser picks up all the center pile cards. This penalty creates a significant advantage or setback, depending on the outcome.

Situation	Consequence
Accused player lied	Liar picks up all center pile cards.
Accused player truthful	Accuser picks up all center pile cards.

These core rules make Cheat a strategic game of deception and trust. Understanding them facilitates better gameplay and enhances your chances of success.

Strategies for Winning

To win at Cheat you need a mix of skillful bluffing, timely calls, and efficient card management. Each of these strategies can help you stay one step ahead of your opponents.

Bluffing Techniques

Bluffing is an essential part of Cheat. Here are some techniques to master:

1. Controlled Lies: Create believable bluffs by mixing a few truthful declarations with your lies. For example, if you place a 5, you might want to declare it as a 4.
2. Facial Expressions: Maintain a neutral expression to avoid giving away your intentions. Smiling or appearing uneasy can indicate you’re bluffing.
3. Pattern Disruption: Avoid predictability in your bluffs. If you usually bluff every second turn, change this pattern to confuse opponents.

When to Call Cheat

Knowing when to call “Cheat” on opponents is critical to the game.

1. Observing Patterns: If an opponent consistently refers to high-ranking cards, they may be bluffing. For instance, if they claim several kings in a short span, be suspicious.
2. Track Discards: Keep mental notes of the cards declared by others. If someone declares a card that should already have been played, call “Cheat”.
3. Behavioral Cues: Watch for nervous habits like fidgeting or avoiding eye contact when someone places their card.

Managing Your Cards

Efficient card management can give you a strategic edge.

1. Organize by Rank: Keep your cards arranged by rank to assess your best move quickly. Grouping similar ranks together can help decide which cards to bluff.
2. Strategic Discards: Early in the game, discard low-ranking cards to avoid suspicion. As the game advances, shift focus to higher cards.
3. Balanced Deception: Mix truth and lies to maintain a balanced hand. If you frequently lie, opponents will suspect more, making it harder to avoid being caught.

Using these strategies effectively can help you dominate this engaging game of deception and strategy.

Variations of the Game

Cheat has several variations that add unique twists to the standard gameplay. These variations cater to different playing styles and can make the game more interesting.

Two Decks

Using two decks instead of one can make the game more challenging. You’ll need 104 cards for this version. With more cards in play, bluffing becomes harder to track. Strategies must adapt to handle a larger variety of cards, increasing the game’s complexity. For larger groups, this variation can be particularly engaging.

Descending Order

In the Descending Order variation, declarations follow a descending sequence rather than ascending. Players start with a high-rank card like a King and move down the ranks with each turn. This shift requires new strategies as players must adapt their bluffing tactics to the reversed order.

High or Low

High or Low allows players more flexibility by permitting declarations to be one rank higher or lower than the previous card. When a player places a 7, for example, the next card can be either an 8 or a 6. This variation adds an element of unpredictability and requires players to think on their feet and adapt quickly.

No Turns

In the No Turns variation, players can place cards whenever they choose, not just during their designated turn. This rule makes the game faster-paced and requires constant attention. You’ll need to monitor the pile closely to seize opportunities and call “Cheat” effectively, testing your reflexes and observational skills.

Related Card Games

If you enjoy playing Cheat, you may also enjoy these similar card games:

• Bullshit
• Liar
• Bluff