Slapjack Rules: The Speed Card Game

Slapjack is a fast-paced and exciting card game that originated in the United States, and is commonly played by children. It requires a standard deck of 52 playing cards, and can be played by 2 or more players, although it is best for 4-10 players.

Objective

The objective of Slapjack is to be the first player to collect all the cards, making them the winner of the game.

Setup

To set up the game, divide the deck of cards roughly equally among the players. Each player then forms a face-down pile of cards that they will draw from during the game. Going around the table clockwise, each player places the top card of their pile face-up in the center of the table, creating a face-up pile.

How to Play

Players take turns playing a card from their pile, placing it face-up in the center of the table. When someone plays a Jack, the first player to slap the center pile (i.e., place their hand palm-down on top of the center pile) wins the center pile and adds these cards face-down to the bottom of their own pile. Play then continues, starting with the player to the left of the one who won the cards.

It is important to note that players must not peek at their cards before playing them. Instead, the card should be moved to the center of the table face-down, then turned and "away from" the player so that everyone sees it at the same time. If multiple players slap the center pile, the winner is the player whose hand is underneath (i.e., in contact with the card). In the case of a tie, a referee might be needed to determine the winner.

If a player slaps a card that is not a Jack, they must give the top card of their own pile face-down to the player who played the card that they wrongly slapped. That player then adds it to the bottom of their own pile.

If a player runs out of cards, they no longer play a card when it is their turn. However, they are still entitled to take part in the slapping of the next Jack, and if they win, they are back in the game. If someone else wins, or if the player meanwhile slaps a card that is not a Jack, they are out of the game.

Scoring and End of Game

The game continues until one player has collected all the cards, at which point they are the winner. If you wish, you can play with a time limit, and if no one collects all the cards before the time limit is reached, the player holding the most cards is the winner.

Common Variants

There is another version of Slapjack called Irish Snap, which is more commonly known as Irish Snap. In this version, players must shout the value of the card they are playing, and the aim is to lose all your cards. The game is played in the same way as Slapjack, except that players must slap the center pile when the card matches the value they shouted, and the player who is slowest to slap picks up the cards.

Trevor Redmond reports a variation of this game in which the aim is to find a winner, rather than a loser. In this version, players must play all their cards and then slap the pile one more time at the next legal opportunity. If a player runs out of cards and is the last to slap, or if they slap when they should not, they must pick up the pile as usual and the game continues.

Where to Get the Game

You can find a deck of children's playing cards on Amazon, which is perfect for playing Slapjack: jeu de 52 cartes enfants on Amazon

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

• Peeking at your cards before playing them.
• Failing to slap the center pile when playing a Jack.
• Slapping the center pile when it is not a Jack.
• Being too slow to slap the center pile when the card matches the value you shouted.

FAQ

• Can I play Slapjack with more than 10 players? While Slapjack can technically be played with more than 10 players, it is best suited for 4-10 players as the game becomes more chaotic with larger numbers of players.
• Can I play Slapjack with a deck of cards other than a standard deck of 52 cards? Yes, but using a deck with a different number of cards will alter the gameplay and may affect the likelihood of someone winning.
• Can I play Slapjack with a deck of cards that has jokers? Jokers can be used in Slapjack, but they should be considered as wild cards, meaning they can take the place of any other card.
• Can I play Slapjack with a deck of cards that is not a standard deck of 52 cards and has jokers? Yes, but using a deck with a different number of cards and jokers will alter the gameplay and may affect the likelihood of someone winning.
• Can I play Slapjack with a deck of cards that is not a standard deck of 52 cards, does not have jokers, and has a different number of cards? While it is technically possible to play Slapjack with a deck of cards that is not a standard deck of 52 cards and does not have jokers, it may not be feasible as the gameplay will be significantly different and may not be as enjoyable.