To play card game Asshole, players aim to get rid of all their cards by playing higher-ranking cards than the previous player, navigating through rounds until only one person has cards left, who becomes the “Asshole.”
Ever wondered about a card game that can test your strategic skills and maybe cause some friendly rivalries? The game we’re talking about is a fast-paced, fun one, often called “President,” but also known as “Asshole” because of its unique ranking system. You see, it’s not just about luck; strategy and a touch of manipulation come into play.
Understanding how to play card game asshole involves grasping the basic card hierarchy and the flow of the game. Players take turns discarding higher-ranking cards, which continues until a player cannot. The person who gets rid of all cards first becomes “President” and the last, well, they get stuck with the “Asshole” title.
How to Play Card Game Asshole: A Comprehensive Guide
Alright, let’s dive into the wacky world of “Asshole,” also sometimes called “President,” “Scum,” or a whole bunch of other not-so-nice names! This isn’t your grandma’s gentle game of Go Fish. Asshole is a fast-paced, competitive card game that’s all about strategy, a little bit of luck, and a whole lot of fun. It’s the perfect game for a group of friends or family who like a bit of playful competition. The goal is simple: be the first to get rid of all your cards. But getting there is where things get interesting. Let’s break down exactly how to play.
Understanding the Basics of Asshole
Before we jump into the gameplay, let’s make sure you’re familiar with the core elements. This will help you grasp the flow of the game much easier.
The Deck of Cards
Asshole uses a standard 52-card deck. The card values are ranked from lowest to highest: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace. Suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) don’t matter when it comes to the core gameplay of playing higher cards, but they become important in other variations (which we’ll get to). When starting a new round, the 3 is the lowest value card while the 2 is the highest and can be played to defeat other cards.
The Objective
The ultimate goal is to be the first player to get rid of all the cards in your hand. The order in which players empty their hand becomes their rank for the next round. The first player to clear all their cards becomes the “President,” and the last one holding cards is the dreaded “Asshole.” All other players fall somewhere in between based on the order of card depletion and are assigned ranks, such as Vice-President, etc.
Number of Players
Asshole is best played with at least three players, but it can handle quite a few more. The more people you have, the more chaotic and fun it can become. Just make sure you have enough space to hold all those cards!
Setting Up the Game
Now that you know the basics, here’s how to set up the game to get started with Asshole:
Shuffling and Dealing
Start by shuffling the deck well. Then, deal out all the cards as evenly as possible among the players. It’s okay if some players have slightly more cards than others. The goal is to get the game going. Don’t spend 10 minutes making sure each player has the exact same amount!
Determining the Starting Player
In the first round, you can choose to start with whoever has the 3 of any suit or just go clockwise around the table. However, when a new round begins, the President starts the game.
Gameplay: The Ins and Outs
Okay, this is the heart of the game – how to actually play. Pay close attention because there are a few rules and nuances you’ll want to learn.
Starting a Turn
The first player starts the game by playing one or more cards of the same value. For example, they could play a single 5, a pair of 8s, or three Queens. The number of cards played will establish a foundation for the other players.
Playing Cards
The next player has to play cards that beat the previous player’s cards. A single card has to be beaten by a single card with a higher value. A pair must be beaten with another pair of the same or higher value. You can’t play a pair if a single card was played before you. The key is that you always have to meet the number of cards played and use a card that beats the value of the previously played cards.
For example:
- If someone plays a single 7, you must play a single 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, or A.
- If someone plays a pair of 5s, you must play a pair of 6s, 7s, 8s, 9s, 10s, Js, Qs, Ks or As.
- If someone plays three Jacks, you must play three Queens, Kings or Aces.
Remember, suits don’t matter when just beating cards.
Passing
If you can’t play a higher card or you don’t want to, you have to “pass.” Passing signifies you are not putting down a card this turn. Once everyone has passed after a play, the pile is cleared. Then, the player that last played the card gets to start a new round.
Clearing the Pile
When all players pass after cards were played, the pile is discarded. The player who last put down cards then starts the new round.
The Power of the 2s
The card with the highest value in the deck is the “2.” Twos can be played on any other card value and clear the playing pile. When a 2 is played, it immediately clears all cards and forces the play to restart with the player who played the two.
Ending the Round
The round ends when one player has depleted their hand. As players run out of cards, they earn a rank in the order of the last person to play a card. After everyone has depleted their hand, the player who depleted their hand first is named “President,” the second “Vice-President,” and so on. The last person to run out of cards is named “Asshole”.
Variations and Special Rules
Like many card games, Asshole has several variations and special rules that can make the game even more exciting (or confusing!). Here are some of the most common ones:
The “Reverse” Rule
Some variations include playing a 7, which switches the play order from clockwise to counterclockwise or the other way around. This can be a fun way to mess with the usual turn order and catch people off guard. You might even see a rule variation that allows you to play a 7 in combination with another card to make it even more tricky.
The “Skip” Rule
Another common rule involves using an 8. In some variations, if you play an 8 it will make the next player have to miss their turn. This is a fun rule to use on players who are close to emptying their hand. If they’re about to go out, you can use an 8 to stall them!
The “Burn” or “Clear” Rule
Playing four cards of the same value results in “burning” the pile and forcing a new round. That means if you lay down four 6s, four 8s, four Kings, or any four matching cards, it clears the pile and you get to start the new round.
The “Equal or Higher” Rule
In some variations, players are allowed to play cards with equal value of the cards that were previously played instead of a higher card. For example, if the player before you placed a single Jack, you could place a single Jack, Queen, King, or Ace. This makes the game faster.
Trading Cards Based on Rank
Before the start of a new round, some versions call for trading cards based on your rank from the previous game. For example, the Asshole could give their two highest-value cards to the President, and the President would return two low-value cards to the Asshole. Vice President may also trade cards with the person ranked just below them, and so on. The power of the rank is meant to help people in lower ranks try to make their way up the hierarchy.
The “Pick Up” Rule
Sometimes, a rule variation involves an “equal or lower value” being played. If that happens the next person must take the discard pile. In this variation, the players would not “pass” because they must play until the cards played require them to “pick up” the discard pile.
Strategies to Win at Asshole
Okay, so just knowing the rules isn’t enough to become the President. Here are a few strategies to help you climb to the top:
Conserve High Value Cards
Try not to waste your high cards early in the round unless you have to. Save those Kings, Aces, and twos to be played in the right moment to win a round, or clear out a pile of cards played.
Pay Attention to What Others are Playing
Keep track of what cards other players have played. If someone played three Jacks, they likely do not have another jack. Use that information to decide how to play your cards. Watching for what other players are holding can give you a clue into how they’re playing their hand. If you can determine when they’re close to running out of cards, it’ll help you play strategically.
Play Pairs and Sets when You Can
If you have multiple cards of the same value, it’s often a good idea to get rid of them to reduce the number of cards in your hand faster. Don’t just play your cards one by one if you can play multiple of the same value together.
Don’t be Afraid to Pass
Sometimes, it’s better to pass than play a card you’ll need later. If you don’t have anything to play or you don’t want to waste a good card, feel free to skip your turn.
Learn the Variations
Be open to the variations you may encounter when playing with new people. Having an understanding of the different ways people play Asshole can help you come up with winning strategies.
The Social Aspects of Asshole
While Asshole can be competitive, it’s also a social game. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Good Sportsmanship
Remember it’s just a game! Keep things friendly and avoid any behavior that makes the game less fun for others. Nobody likes a bad sport, whether you’re the President or the Asshole. Be a gracious winner and a good sport if you lose.
Laugh it Off
Don’t get too worked up when you end up with the “Asshole” title. It’s part of the fun! Embrace the silliness of the game and enjoy the friendly competition. Remember it’s just a game, and there is no reason to take the rank seriously.
Making it Your Own
Part of the fun of Asshole is that you can make up your own rules as a group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change the variations to make the game more engaging for you and your friends. Creating new rules can help you find new ways to play and keep the game fresh.
Asshole is a card game that’s easy to learn, but has complex strategies that make it fun to play with all kinds of people. Understanding the core rules of the game and being willing to add in new variations will help make Asshole your new favorite game. So gather your friends, grab a deck of cards, and get ready for some fun!
How to Play Presidents and Aholes
Final Thoughts
The goal is to get rid of your cards first. Players take turns playing cards, matching or beating the rank of the previous card. If you can’t, pick up the pile. The first player out becomes the President, and the last the Asshole.
The Asshole starts with the worst hand next round and must give the President their two best cards. The President returns two cards of their choice. This repeats for other ranks like Vice President. This is how to play card game asshole.
