Learn to Play Shithead: Rules & Tips

Objective of the Game

In Shithead, the objective of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards and not be the last player holding cards. The player who is left with cards at the end of the game is called the “Shithead.”

To start the game, the dealer shuffles the deck of cards and deals three cards to each player. The remaining cards are placed face down in the middle of the table to form the draw pile, and the top card is turned over to start the discard pile.

On your turn, you must play one or more cards from your hand that match the suit or rank (number) of the card on top of the discard pile. For example, if the top card is a 7 of hearts, you can play any card that is a heart or any card of the same rank (another 7). If you cannot play any cards, you must pick up the entire discard pile and add it to your hand.

The game continues in this way until one player has played all their cards and the game ends. The winner of the game is the first player to get rid of all their cards, and the loser is the player who is left with the most cards at the end of the game.

The game requires strategy and luck, as players must decide which cards to play and when to hold onto cards for later in the game.

Setting Up the Game

To begin playing Shithead, you need to set up the game. This involves preparing the deck, choosing the dealer, and dealing the cards. Here’s how to do it:

The Deck

Shithead is played with a standard 52-card deck. Make sure your deck is complete and shuffle it thoroughly. If you want to add more challenge to the game, you can also include a joker or two as wildcards.

Choosing the Dealer

To choose the dealer, each player draws a card from the shuffled deck. The player with the lowest card becomes the dealer. If two or more players draw the same lowest card, they must draw again until a dealer is determined.

Dealing the Cards

Once a dealer is chosen, they shuffle the deck and deal three cards face down to each player. Then, they deal three face-up cards on top of the face-down cards. Finally, each player is dealt a hand of three cards. The remaining cards are placed in the draw pile.

The player to the left of the dealer starts the game. The game proceeds clockwise from there. Players must play a single card or a set of cards of equal rank by placing them face-up on the discard pile on their turn. They then draw cards from the stock to maintain a three-card hand.

That’s it! You’re ready to start playing Shithead.

Gameplay

To start playing Shithead, shuffle a standard 52-card deck and deal three cards to each player. Place the remaining cards in a draw pile and turn the top card over to start the discard pile. The player to the left of the dealer goes first.

Taking Turns

Players take turns playing one or more cards from their hand onto the discard pile. The cards played must either match the rank or suit of the top card on the discard pile, or be a two or a ten. If a player cannot play any cards, they must draw a card from the draw pile. If they still cannot play, they must pass their turn to the next player.

Drawing Cards

When a player draws a card, they can choose to draw from either the draw pile or the top card of the discard pile. If they draw from the discard pile, they must play that card immediately. If they draw from the draw pile and cannot play any cards, their turn ends and play passes to the next player.

Special Cards

• 2: Twos are high and low, meaning they can be played on any card and can start a new discard pile.
• 10: Tens clear the discard pile, allowing the player who played the ten to start a new discard pile with any card.
• Ace: Aces are wild and can be played on any card.
• Joker: Jokers can be used as wildcards, allowing the player to play on any previous card. If a player plays a joker, the next player must play a card of the same suit as the card played before the joker. If they cannot, they must draw a card.

Remember, the objective of the game is to get rid of all your cards and not be the last player with cards remaining. Keep an eye on your opponents’ hands and try to strategically use your cards to force them to draw more cards. Good luck!

Rules and Strategies

Rules of the Game

The objective of the Shithead card game is to avoid being the last player to get rid of all the cards. The game can be played with 2-5 players, and it requires a 52-card deck. The rank of the cards is 2, A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, with 2s being both high and low.

At the beginning of the game, each player is dealt cards face down.

• Three or more players: deal out three cards for each player.
• Fewer than three players: deal out five cards for each player.

The remaining cards are placed in a pile in the middle.

The game starts with the player to the left of the dealer. Players take turns playing cards from their hand. You can play any card that is equal to the rank or suit of the top card on the pile. If you are unable to play a card, you must pick up the entire discard pile. The next player starts a new discard pile.

You must empty your hand before being able to play from the face-up cards. If your hand is empty at the beginning of your turn, you can play any of your face-up cards. If you’re unable to play a face-up card, you must pick up the discard pile. The next player starts a new discard pile.

The game ends when one player has cleared their hand. The other players are ranked based on the number of cards remaining in their hand. The player with the most cards remaining is the shithead.

Strategies for Winning

One of the best strategies to win the Shithead card game is to keep track of the cards that have been played. This will help you to know which cards are still in the deck and which ones have already been played.

It’s also important to pay attention to the cards that are in the discard pile. If there are a lot of high-ranking cards in the pile, then it’s probably a good idea to pick up the pile and start a new one.

Finally, it’s important to be aware of any house rules that may be in effect. Some players may have special rules that change the game’s objective or how certain cards are played.

Variations and Related Games

If you’re a fan of Shithead, you might be interested in trying out some of its variations or related games. Here are a few options to consider:

Game Variations

• Value: In this variation, the value of the cards is reversed, so twos are low and aces are high. This can add an extra layer of strategy to the game, as players must adjust their usual tactics accordingly.
• Paskahousu: This Finnish game is similar to Shithead, but with a few key differences. For one, players start with two cards instead of three, and there are no jokers in the deck. Additionally, players must say “paskahousu” (which means “shit pants”) when they have only one card left in their hand.
• Karma: This game is essentially the same as Shithead, but with a different name. It’s popular in some parts of the world, particularly in New Zealand and Australia.
• Beat the Rank: In some variations of Shithead, the goal is to match or beat the rank of the card, regardless of suit.

History and Fun Facts

Origins of the Game

Shithead, also known as Palace, is a popular card game that originated in Scandinavia. It is believed to have derived from the Finnish game of Paskahousu, which means “shit pants” in Finnish. It is also similar to the game of Vändtia, which means “turn ten” in Swedish. The game became popular among travelers and backpackers in the late 20th century, and it quickly spread around the world.

Fun Facts

• The objective of the game is to get rid of all your cards before your opponents, with the final player being called the “shithead.”
• The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, and the lowest card is the three.
• The game has variations in which there are punishments for players who lose, such as having to wear a silly hat or drink a shot of alcohol.
• The game has many variations, and players often have their own house rules.

Overall, Shithead is a fun and exciting game that can be played with friends and family. It is easy to learn and can provide hours of entertainment. So, gather your friends, shuffle the deck, and let the games begin!

Related Card Games

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

• Crazy Eights
• Go Fish
• Spit