President Card Game Rules

Game Overview

President, also known by various names such as Scum, Asshole (Arsehole in Britain), Rich Man Poor Man, Bum, Landlord, Emperors and Scum, Root Beer, Butthead, Capitalism, Warlords and Scumbags (Australia), Trouduc or Trou du Cul (France), Einer ist immer der Arsch (Germany), H béres (vassal) (Hungary), Røvhul (Denmark), Sluitspieren or Klootzakken (Netherlands), is a popular card game that originated in China and has since spread throughout the Western world, particularly among young people. The game requires 4-7 players and a standard 52-card deck.

Objective

The objective of President is to get rid of all your cards as quickly as possible. The player who remains with cards at the end of the game is considered the scum, asshole, or other term of derision depending on the region.

Setup

Players sit in a circle and are dealt cards clockwise. The number of cards each player receives may vary, but all players should ideally have approximately the same number. The first round is typically started by the player to the dealer's left.

How to Play

During each turn, a player can either pass or play one or more cards that are higher in rank than the previous play. If multiple players want to play at once, they should do so simultaneously and the highest card(s) determine the winner. Once a player has played a card or set of cards, all other players have the opportunity to beat this play with a higher card or set.

Here's an example:

1. Player A starts by playing a 2 (lowest rank).
2. Player B plays a 3, beating Player A's 2.
3. Player C passes.
4. Player D plays a pair of 6s, beating Player B's 3.
5. Player E plays a pair of 9s, beating Player D's pair of 6s.
6. Players F and G pass consecutively.
7. Player H plays a pair of Ks, beating Player E's pair of 9s.
8. Players I and J pass consecutively.
9. Player K passes as they have no higher cards to play.
10. The game continues with Player L starting the next round by playing any card or set of equal rank.

Scoring and End of Game

There is no official scoring system for President, but some groups may decide to keep track of points. The player with the highest social status (President, Vice-President, Citizen, etc.) typically receives points, while the last player with cards (the Beggar, Scum, Asshole) receives no points. The game ends when a player runs out of cards or when a predetermined point total is reached.

Common Variants

Several variations exist for President:

1. Opening Lead: On the first deal, some players require the holder of a specific card (usually a 3) to start the game instead of the player to the dealer's left. On subsequent deals, the scum from the previous hand may start instead.
2. Single-round play: In this variation, each player gets only one opportunity to pass or beat the previous play during each round. The highest player then leads again for the next round.
3. Compulsory beating: If a player can beat the previous play, they must do so; passing is allowed only if a player cannot play.
4. No playing after passing: After passing, a player may not play in subsequent turns during the same round. They must wait for someone to win the trick and start a new one.
5. Larger sets of cards beat smaller sets of lower rank: In this variant, larger sets of cards can beat smaller sets of lower rank, even if they are not equal in number. For example, a pair of 9s can be beaten by two or more 10s but not by a single 10.
6. Larger sets beat smaller sets irrespective of rank: In this variation, a set of more cards always beats a set of fewer cards, regardless of their rank. For example, a single 9 can be beaten by a pair of fives.
7. Equal plays allowed: A card or set can be beaten by another card or set of equal rank.
8. Equal play skips next player: If a player beats a previous play with an equal play, the turn skips the next player who has cards and passes to the player after that.
9. Four of a kind inverts ranks: When a player plays four of a kind, the rankings are reversed for subsequent plays. For example, 4s would now be higher than kings.

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not understanding the ranking of cards: In President, the ranking from high to low is A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 (aces are high).
2. Failing to beat a higher play: If a player plays a higher card or set, they must do so to continue playing.
3. Not paying attention to the social status: Players with higher social status (President, Vice-President) have privileges and can abuse their power over lower ranking players.
4. Ignoring the rules of variation: If playing a specific variant, it's important to understand and follow its rules.
5. Not understanding passing etiquette: Passing does not prevent a player from participating in subsequent turns during the same round (unless playing the "No playing after passing" variant).

FAQ

1. Q: What is the ranking of cards in President? A: In President, the ranking from high to low is A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 (aces are high).

2. Q: Can I play multiple cards at once in President? A: Yes, you can play multiple cards as long as they are higher in rank than the previous play and follow any other rules of the variant you are playing.

3. Q: What happens if I pass and then have a higher card later in the round? A: If you pass during a round and later have a higher card, you can play it on the next turn (unless playing the "No playing after passing" variant).

4. Q: Can I use jokers in President? A: It's not common to use jokers in President as they don't fit into the standard ranking system. However, some groups may decide to incorporate them with their own set of rules.