Speed (Spit) Card Game Rules

"Spit" is a fast-paced, competitive card game designed for two players, requiring a standard 52-card deck. Originating as a game that emphasizes speed and alertness, Spit has become a popular choice among card enthusiasts for its engaging gameplay and dynamic rules.

Objective

The primary objective of Spit is to be the first player to get rid of all of your cards by successfully playing them onto shared piles called "Spit Piles." By doing so, you'll reduce the number of cards you have in the next deal, ultimately aiming to get rid of all your cards and winning the game.

Setup

1. Shuffle a standard 52-card deck thoroughly and deal 26 cards to each player.
2. Each player now deals a layout consisting of five stock piles in a row. The first stock pile has 1 card, the second 2, the third 3, the fourth 4, and the fifth 5. Deal these piles face down and then turn the top card of each stock pile face up. This leaves a pile of 11 cards in each player's hand, which are known as "Spit Cards." Players should not look at these cards.

How to Play

1. Both players acknowledge readiness, and then shout "spit" while turning over the top card in their hand (their first Spit Card). These two cards are placed side by side between the players' stock piles, creating the Spit Piles.
2. Players now play simultaneously as fast as they want. The objective is to get rid of all the cards in your stock piles onto the Spit Piles. Using only one hand and moving only one card at a time, you can either: a. Play the face-up card from the top of one of your stock piles onto either Spit Pile. To play a card on a Spit Pile, it must be next in sequence up or down. Suit and color do not matter. Cards can turn the corner - for example, on an Ace, you can play a Two or a King. b. If one (or more) of your stock piles has its top card face-down, turn the top card of such a pile face-up. c. Move a face-up card from the top of a stock pile into an empty stock pile space if there is one, but you can never have more than five stock piles.

Example: suppose one of the Spit Piles shows a 2 and Player A has an Ace and a 3 exposed on their stock piles. Player A can play either card and then turn up the next card in that stock pile. Playing the 3 is inadvisable if it would let Player B play a 4 on top of it — every card you play immediately becomes a target for your opponent.

A card counts as played as soon as it touches the pile or space onto which it is to be placed. A played card cannot be retracted, and as soon as it is played, the opponent is entitled to play on it.

Scoring and End of Game

1. If a position is reached where neither player can play (i.e., none of the exposed stock pile cards can be played to either of the Spit Piles, and it is not possible to turn up another stockpile card after moving cards into spaces if necessary), then both players shout "spit" again, and each turns up their next Spit Card and places it on top of the Spit Pile they started. Play then continues as before.
2. A new layout is dealt when either: a. One of the players manages to get rid of all their stock pile cards. b. The play becomes blocked when both players run out of Spit Cards, but both players still have cards in their stock piles. In this case, both players choose a Spit Pile by slapping it with their hand. Normally, both players will try to slap whichever pile they think is smaller. If the two players choose different piles, each player takes the pile they chose. If both choose the same pile, the player who gets there first (i.e., whose hand is underneath) takes the chosen pile, and the other player takes the other pile. Both players add any Spit Cards and stock cards remaining on their side to the Spit Pile they took, shuffle their cards well, and deal new layouts as before from the cards they have.
3. When playing with only one Spit Pile, the first player to get rid of their stock cards does not take any cards from the center; the other player takes the single Spit Pile and the unplayed stock pile cards. When playing with only one Spit Pile, if the player with no Spit Cards in hand also gets rid of their layout cards first, then that player has no cards left at all and has won the game.

Common Variants

1. Some people play with only four stock piles, containing one, two, three, and four cards.
2. Some people deal eleven cards to the center stock pile, and the other four have just one card each.
3. In David Shapp's version, the procedure for dealing a new layout is different. The player who first gets rid of all of their stock pile cards has a free choice of which Spit Pile to take. There is no slapping - the player will simply take the pile they judge to be smaller. The other player then takes the other (probably larger) Spit Pile and their remaining stock cards, and both players deal a new layout.

Why This Game Is So Popular

Spit's addictive nature comes from its fast-paced, competitive gameplay that requires both strategic thinking and quick reflexes. The tension of simultaneously playing with your opponent, the constant need to stay alert, and the thrill of outmaneuvering them to get rid of your cards first, create memorable moments during play that make Spit an engaging and popular choice among card enthusiasts.

Where to Get the Game

Embark on your Spit gaming experience by acquiring a deck of cards. speed card game on Amazon

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring the importance of paying attention to your opponent's moves and the sequence of cards in your stock pile.
2. Rushing your moves without considering the best opportunity to play a card.
3. Not taking advantage of the chance to turn up face-down cards in your stock pile when needed.

FAQ

1. Can I play Spit with more than two players? No, Spit is designed for two players only.

2. What happens if a player has fewer than 15 cards left? That player cannot deal a complete set of stock piles. They deal their cards into five stock piles as far as they will go and turn over the top card of each, but they can no longer spit — so there will only be one Spit Pile, started by the other player.

3. Is it necessary to shuffle before dealing a new layout? Yes. After taking a Spit Pile, each player adds their remaining spit and stock cards to it, shuffles well, and deals a new layout from the cards they hold.

4. Can I play a card out of sequence if no other cards can be played? No, you must always play a card that is next in sequence up or down to the top card of a Spit Pile. If neither player can play, both shout "spit" again instead.

5. Does the sequence wrap around between Ace and King? Yes. Cards can turn the corner: on an Ace you can play a Two or a King. Suit and colour never matter, though some players add a house rule that cards played on the Spit Piles must alternate in colour.

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