Kemps Card Game Rules

Kemps Card Game Rules

Kemps is a classic card game that originated as a popular pastime among American college students. The game requires four players, but it can also be played with a larger even number of people. A standard deck of 52 cards is needed for the game (if there are more than eight players, two decks may be used).

Objective

The objective of the game is to obtain four of a kind (i.e., four cards of the same rank) and have your partner say "KEMPS," or to say "KEMPS" yourself when your partner has four of a kind. Alternatively, you can win the hand by saying "STOP KEMPS" when a player from another team has four of a kind, before their partner says "KEMPS." The game's goal is for each team to lose five hands, thus getting five letters that spell the word "K-E-M-P-S," after which the losing team loses the game.

Setup

Before starting the game, players are divided into teams with two players in each team, and they sit across from each other. Each two player team goes away and privately agrees on a secret signal that they can use to tell each other when they have four of a kind. The signals can be body movements, gestures, or hand signals, but words are not allowed. After any hand, teams are allowed to agree on new signals if they suspect that the opponents might have guessed some of their existing signals.

The dealer is chosen at random or by volunteers and deals four cards to every player. After everyone has looked at their cards, the dealer deals four more cards, one at a time, in a row face up in the middle.

How to Play

When the last card has been turned up, any player can pick up one (or more) of the face-up cards from the middle, add it (them) to their hand, and immediately discard a different card(s) face up in its place. Players do not take turns; they can replace cards as often as they want until no one wants any of the four face-up cards. The dealer then sweeps these cards away and deals out four new cards on the table. Play continues in this manner until the deck is gone or someone yells "KEMPS" or "STOP KEMPS."

If a player picks up more than one card, they must discard an equal number of different cards to reduce their hand back to four cards. If two players want the same face-up card, the first player to touch it gets it. When "KEMPS" is said, the hand is over, and the partner of the person who said "KEMPS" must reveal their cards. If they have four of a kind, the opposing team receives a letter starting with "K." With more than four players, all of the opposing teams get a letter. If the partner does not have four of a kind, then the team that incorrectly called "KEMPS" receives a letter.

If someone suspects the opposing team of having "KEMPS," they can say "STOP KEMPS." If one of the opposing players does indeed have four of a kind, then the team who was 'stopped' receives a letter. However, if "STOP KEMPS" is said and the opposing team does not have "KEMPS," then the team who said it receives the letter.

Scoring and End of Game

The first team to lose five hands, thus getting five letters that spell the word "K-E-M-P-S," loses the game. If a point is reached when no one wants any of the face-up cards, and the dealer has no more fresh cards to deal, the hand ends, and no one gets a letter. This is called a real deal, and the dealer then deals for the next hand.

Common Variations

Some people play that at the end of the deal, the play starts when the dealer says "GO." Some people only allow one card to be picked up at a time; the player must discard a card before picking up another. The variant Peanut Butter allows verbal signals: players say "peanut butter" if they suspect that their partner has four of a kind and "jelly" if they suspect an opponent has four of a kind.

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid using obvious signals, as the opponents may easily guess them. Observe the other team carefully and confuse them by occasionally picking up cards you don't need. If you figure out what cards your partner is going for, discard cards that will help your partner. Use fake signals to make the other team yell "STOP KEMPS," without confusing your partner.

If you're looking to get a deck of 54 cards to play Kemps, you can find one on Amazon: jeu de 54 cartes

FAQ

1. Can I use words as signals? No, only body movements, gestures, or hand signals are allowed.
2. How many players can play Kemps? Typically four players, but a larger even number of people can also participate. If there are more than eight players, two decks may be used.
3. Can I use more than one signal in a game? Yes, you can have several signals and use more than one in a game.
4. What happens if "STOP KEMPS" is said, but the opposing team does not have four of a kind? The team who said "STOP KEMPS" receives a letter.
5. Can I play Kemps online? While there are websites dedicated to Kemps, playing it in person with a physical deck of cards adds to the excitement and fun of the game.