Playing the Asshole card game involves players shedding their cards by matching or beating the previous card played, with the first player out becoming the ‘president’ and the last, the ‘asshole’.
Ever felt like a mischievous card game could spice things up? This guide is all about how to play asshole card game, a chaotic and fun game perfect for groups. It’s all about strategy and luck.
The game starts with a normal deck and deals each player a hand. The objective is simple: get rid of all your cards first. You’ll be competing to become ‘president’, but you don’t want to end up as the ‘asshole’.
How to Play Asshole Card Game: A Complete Guide
Alright, let’s dive into the fun world of the card game “Asshole”! This game, also sometimes called “President,” “Scum,” or “Capitalism,” is a blast to play with friends and family. It’s easy to learn but can get quite competitive, making it a great choice for game night. The basic idea is to get rid of all your cards first, earning a good rank and potentially the power to make others suffer in the next round. Think of it as a ladder, where you’re always trying to climb to the top!
Setting Up the Game
Before you start dealing cards, you need to get things ready. Here’s what you need to do to prepare for your “Asshole” adventure:
Gathering Your Crew and Cards
First, you need players. “Asshole” works well with three or more players, but the more, the merrier! A standard 52-card deck is all you need. Make sure the deck is complete and everyone’s ready to rumble.
Dealing the Cards
Next, it’s time to deal. It doesn’t matter if you deal one card at a time or a few at a time, just make sure everyone gets all the cards from the deck. The goal is to have everyone start with the same number of cards (or close to it if the number of players doesn’t divide evenly into 52). It’s okay if some players have a card or two extra, it will not matter much. It is usually suggested to give one person all extra cards, but it’s not a strict rule.
Understanding Ranks
In “Asshole,” cards are ranked a little differently than some other games. Usually, the 3 is the lowest, and the 2 is the highest. Here’s the usual order, from lowest to highest:
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- Jack
- Queen
- King
- Ace
- 2
Suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades) don’t matter in this game, except when using specific variant rules. The goal is not to make the best hand but to be the first to get rid of all your cards.
Gameplay: The Nitty-Gritty
Okay, you’ve got your cards, you know the ranks. Now, let’s get into how the game is actually played.
The First Player
Usually, the player holding the 3 of any suit begins the game. This player lays down one or more cards of the same rank. For example, the player could put down one 3, two 3s, three 3s, or even all four 3s if they have them. The first player has great power to decide which rank will be played early on.
Playing Cards
After the first player starts, play goes in a circle, usually clockwise. The next player must play cards that are of a higher rank than what was laid down, and it must match the number of cards laid down by the previous player. For example, if the first player put down two 3s, the next player must put down two cards of a higher rank. It may be two 4s, two 5s, or any two cards that are higher. If a player does not have higher cards with the same number of cards then, that player must pass. If all the players pass after any player puts cards then the last player who puts the cards can start again with any number of cards with the same rank.
Passing
If you can’t or don’t want to play cards of a higher rank, you have to pass. You’re not out of the game, just sitting out until the round ends. You can always join the fun in the next round. Passing means that you can’t play any cards during that round.
Clearing the Pile
When all players have passed after some cards are played, the player that last laid down cards clears the pile by putting those cards aside. The player can then start again by laying down another group of cards of the same rank. It can be just one card, two cards, three cards or even four cards of the same rank.
The End of the Round
A round ends when one player gets rid of all their cards. The first person to do so gets a good rank (more on that later!). The game continues until all players get rid of all their cards, from the first to last. It is very important to determine the ranks, which are explained in the next section.
Determining Ranks
Once a round ends, we need to figure out everyone’s rank. This is a big part of the fun and determines your position in the next round.
The President or First Place
The first person to run out of cards is the “President” (or sometimes called “First Place” or “Presidente”). This is the best position to have, and in the next round, they get to have a bit more advantage (depending on specific house rules). Some variants also call this person “The Boss” or even “The King”.
The Vice President or Second Place
The second person to get rid of all of their cards becomes the “Vice President”. They’re in the second-best position and get some of the power that President has. Some variants may refer to the Vice President as the “Vice Boss” or “The Queen”.
The Middle Ranks
The players who finish somewhere in the middle don’t have a special title. These players are just normal players. But they’re definitely not in the worst spot, as they finish before the lowest rank. Usually, their ranking is decided by their finishing order and position of others.
The Scum or Asshole Rank
The very last player to get rid of all their cards is called the “Asshole” (or sometimes called “Scum,” “Garbage Man,” or “Loser”). The position of “Asshole” is very bad and they have to suffer in the next round. They must give their best card to the President and get the President’s worst card, if we are playing with the house rules, which are explained next in the house rules section.
House Rules and Variations
“Asshole” is not a fixed game. There are many different house rules or variations people use to make the game more interesting. Let’s check some of these house rules.
The President Gives Up Their Two Best Cards
In this common house rule, before the next game begins, the President must give their two best cards to the Asshole. The Asshole must, in turn, give their two worst cards to the President. It makes the next round challenging and interesting. The vice president and the second-last player may also exchange one card.
Clearing the Table
Some variations allow playing a card of the same rank on an existing stack, which clears the table and starts the round over. For example, if someone plays two 5’s, and the next person plays two 5’s, the pile is cleared, and that person can start the game again.
Bomb Cards
Another fun variation includes “bomb” cards. This is usually a 4 or a 7. When a bomb card is played it clears the pile and lets the player go again.
Jokers
In some variations, jokers are used as wild cards. It means they can be used in the place of any card. It makes the game more interesting and unexpected.
Suit Variations
In some house rules, suits may matter. For example, a player may have to play a suit of the same color. It adds an extra layer of strategy.
The Order of Rank
Some might consider a different order of the ranks. Like for example, the 3 being the highest and 2 being the lowest. It depends on the players playing.
Other House Rules
There are numerous more house rules like:
- Play passes backward if a player is skipped
- When a player reaches zero cards, the hand is done; others must give their cards to the ‘asshole’.
- When a player plays four cards of the same value, the deck should be cleaned up and that player can start the game again.
Remember to agree on the rules before you begin, so everyone is on the same page.
Strategies to Win
Winning at “Asshole” isn’t just about luck. A little strategy can go a long way! Here are some helpful hints:
Pay attention to others
Watching what other people are playing and are holding can give you a very big advantage in the game. You will know what cards they might have and when you may get rid of the cards.
Hold on to the 2s and high cards
The cards that have high value are good for winning. Save these cards for when other players have a few cards. If other players have lower cards, these cards can be very beneficial.
Get rid of low cards quickly
Try to get rid of the lower cards when you get a chance. It is not beneficial to hold low cards, as other players might go first with high cards, so getting rid of them quickly might be a good choice.
Know when to pass
Sometimes, the smartest move is to pass. If you know you’ll have to play a high card, you can save it for the next round when others might have fewer cards. If a player before you played multiple of the same card rank, then it might be very beneficial to pass, as it is likely that the next player will have to pass as well.
Use bombs wisely
If your game has “bomb” cards, use them strategically. Don’t just use them when you get them, make sure it might be beneficial for you.
Adapt to other players
Each game is different. Adjust your tactics based on how others play. If someone is holding a lot of cards, it is beneficial to pass, and make them use a few of their cards.
Don’t be afraid to be the Asshole
Sometimes, you might not get the best hand. Don’t worry, it’s just a game. Have fun, and try to learn from each round to improve for the next game.
By understanding the basic rules, keeping an eye on the other players, and using smart tactics, you can improve your chances of winning “Asshole.” It’s not just about getting rid of cards, it’s about playing smart and having fun with your friends!
The game of Asshole is all about having fun, learning, and getting a chance to improve your skills! Remember to agree on the rules before starting the game, and respect all the players. Playing this game can be a great fun with your friends and families.
How to Play Presidents and Aholes
Final Thoughts
To summarize, the objective is to get rid of all your cards first. Players start with a hand of cards, and the first person lays down cards of a single rank. The next person must play a higher value card or cards of matching rank. Players pass if unable to play.
The last player with cards becomes the “Asshole” and performs undesirable tasks in the next game. Knowing these basic steps helps you understand how to play asshole card game. Have fun!
