Speed (Spit) Card Game Rules

Speed, also known as Spit, is a fast-paced and exhilarating two-player card game. The objective of the game is to get rid of all your cards as quickly as possible by playing them onto a central pile. This classic game requires alertness, quick reflexes, and strategic thinking.

Game Overview

Speed originated as a popular pastime among card enthusiasts. It can be played with a standard 52-card deck (the older, the better to withstand wear and tear). Two players compete against each other to be the first to discard all their cards. You can purchase a Speed card game on Amazon.

Objective

The main goal in Speed is to get rid of all your cards by playing them onto a central pile called the Spit Pile. The player who discards all their cards first wins the game.

Setup

1. Shuffle the deck well and divide the cards equally between the two players, giving each 26 cards.
2. Each player creates a row of five stock piles, with one card in the first pile, two cards in the second, three in the third, four in the fourth, and five in the fifth. The top card of each stock pile is turned face up. The remaining cards form the player's hand, which they should not look at (these are called Spit Cards).

How to Play

1. Both players acknowledge readiness by saying "Spit!" simultaneously.
2. Each player turns over the top card of their hand, placing it next to the central Spit Pile. These two cards form the starting Spit Piles.
3. Players can play cards from their stock piles or hand onto either Spit Pile in sequential order (up or down). The suit and color do not matter.
4. A player may also turn up the next card in a stock pile if it is face-down, move a face-up card from one stock pile to an empty space if available, or move a card from their hand into an empty stock pile space.
5. If neither player can play, they both say "Spit!" again, turning over the next Spit Card and placing it on top of the corresponding Spit Pile. Play then continues as before.
6. The game continues until one player discards all their cards or a situation arises where no more moves are possible (both players have played all their cards and cannot play any more).

Scoring and End of Game

The game ends when one player gets rid of all their cards, at which point they win the game. If both players run out of cards but still have cards in their stock piles, a new layout is dealt as described in the Setup section.

Common Variants

There are several variations of Speed, including different stock pile arrangements and rules for playing on Spit Piles. Some players require cards played on Spit Piles to alternate in color, while others allow moving one card of equal rank from a stock pile onto another to expose a face-down card or create an empty space.

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not paying attention to the sequence when playing cards onto the Spit Piles.
2. Failing to quickly assess possible plays and making slow decisions.
3. Overlooking the option to turn up a face-down card in a stock pile or move a card from hand into an empty stock pile space.
4. Not being mindful of the sequence when new layouts are dealt, as players should aim to take the smaller Spit Pile.

FAQ

1. Can I play Speed with more than two players? No, Speed is designed for two players only.
2. What happens if both players run out of cards but still have cards in their stock piles? A new layout is dealt, and players choose a Spit Pile by slapping it with their hand. The player who gets there first takes the chosen pile and adds any remaining spit cards and stock cards to their side. Both players then shuffle their cards and deal a new layout.
3. What if I run out of plays but have fewer than 5 cards in my hand? Draw one card from your stock pile to replenish your hand to 5 cards, and continue playing any cards you can.
4. Can I use jokers in Speed? It is not recommended to use jokers in Speed, as they can complicate the gameplay and disrupt the sequential order of play. However, some players choose to incorporate them by assigning a sequence (e.g., Joker is the highest card or the lowest card). Always consult with your opponent before incorporating any additional rules.