How To Play The Card Game Asshole Rules

How to Play the Card Game Asshole

So, you’re ready to learn how to play the card game Asshole? Awesome! It’s a super fun game that’s perfect for groups, and it’s known by many other names too, like President, Capitalism, or Scum. Don’t let the name scare you; it’s all in good fun. The goal of the game is simple: be the first to get rid of all your cards. But, there’s a twist. Players get ranked, and the lowest-ranked player gets stuck with a goofy title – “Asshole.” Let’s dive into the rules and strategies to get you playing like a pro in no time!

The Basics: What You Need to Play

Before you can start playing Asshole, you need a few things.

What You Need

• A Deck of Cards: A standard 52-card deck is all you need. Jokers can be used for some variations, but we’ll focus on the standard game first.
• A Group of Players: Ideally, you’ll want 3 or more players. More players usually mean more chaos and more fun!
• A Flat Surface: A table, the floor, anywhere you can spread out the cards.
• A Sense of Humor: This game can get a little silly, so a good laugh is a must!

Dealing the Cards

Okay, everyone is ready? It’s time to shuffle the deck and deal the cards. The process is pretty easy:

How to Deal

1. Shuffle Thoroughly: Make sure the cards are mixed up well. Nobody wants a stack of the same suit.
2. Deal Equally: Deal out all the cards one at a time, going around the circle until every player has the same number of cards. It doesn’t matter if someone ends up with one more card than everyone else due to uneven distribution, this is totally fine.
3. Keep Your Cards Secret: Look at your cards, but don’t let others see them!

Understanding the Card Ranks

Knowing the card values is key to playing Asshole. Here’s how the cards are ranked, from highest to lowest:

• 2s: These are the highest and most powerful cards. They can be played on anything.
• Aces: Next in line, high, but beaten by 2s.
• King: The third-highest card.
• Queen: The next in the sequence.
• Jack: Follows the Queen.
• 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3: These are in order from high to low.

The Flow of Play: Getting Rid of Your Cards

The game starts with a simple move. The player holding the lowest card (usually a 3, unless someone has a 2) goes first. They place a card (or multiple cards of the same rank) face up in the center. That’s the start of the discard pile. Now, the real game begins!

Playing Cards on the Pile

The next player in the rotation must play a card or cards of equal or higher value. The rules are pretty straightforward:

• Higher Ranks: If the last player put down a 5, you must put down a 5 or a higher card.
• Same Rank: You can play multiple cards of the same rank together (for example, you can play two 7s at the same time, if the top card is a 7 or less)
• Passing: If you don’t have a card of equal or greater value, you must pass your turn.
• The Pile Reset: The pile resets when a 2 is played. After the player plays a 2, then the next player in the rotation is allowed to play any card that they want, or they are also allowed to play a card or cards with the same value.

Special Cards and Rules

While the basic game is simple, certain cards have special significance that can change the flow of play. Let’s learn about them:

The Mighty Two

The card of twos is the most powerful card in the deck.

• Clears the Pile: A 2 can be played on top of any card.
• Resets the Play: When a 2 is played, the discard pile is cleared. The player who played the 2 gets to lead the next set.

Passing Turns

You have to pass your turn if you don’t have a card that is of equal value or higher than the top card in the discard pile. But, do not be in a rush to pass. There is always a strategy when you need to pass.

• Strategic Passing: It’s okay to pass. Passing strategically can sometimes be beneficial. It allows you to retain your high cards, if you think someone else might play a lower card, so you can play your high cards to get rid of your cards

Winning and Losing: Ranking Players

The goal is to be the first player to get rid of all of their cards. Once you do that, the game doesn’t stop. Everyone will continue to play, until only one person is left with cards. The players will be ranked by when they finish playing. So, the first player to get rid of their cards is ranked as the highest position.

The Hierarchy

Each player in a round will have a title depending on where they finished.

• President/Boss/First: The first player to get rid of all their cards is the winner.
• Vice President/Second: The second player to get rid of all their cards.
• Normal/Middle Class/Citizens: These players finish in the middle.
• Asshole/Scum/Last: The last player to finish with cards is the lowest ranked player.

Starting the Next Round: The Power of the Asshole

After one round is complete, the next round will be different.

The Next Round’s Changes

The players get to switch around their cards. The ranking positions determine who gets to switch their cards. This will lead to an interesting way to play. Here are the changes for the next round:

• The Asshole/Scum: The person with the lowest rank will have to give their best two cards to the person with the highest rank.
• The President/Boss/First: The person with the highest rank will get the best two cards from the “Asshole” and give the “Asshole” any two cards of their choosing.
• The Vice-President/Second: The vice president will also get a card from the “second lowest” person. The “second lowest” person will get a card from the “vice president”

Strategies and Tactics

Now that you have the basics, let’s talk about some strategies that can help you win. Asshole isn’t just about luck; it’s also about smart plays.

Playing Smart

Here are some basic strategies to remember when playing the game:

• Hold onto High Cards: Don’t waste your high cards too early, unless absolutely needed. Save them for when you really need them, such as when your opponent plays a high card, and you need a higher card to play.
• Playing Pairs/Multiples: Playing multiple of the same value is a great way to clear your cards faster. Try to play a pair, or multiples when you can.
• Observe Your Opponents: Try to remember what cards your opponents have played or passed, and see if you can guess what types of cards they have.
• Know When to Pass: Sometimes, passing a turn can be as effective as playing a card.

Variations of the Game

Like many card games, Asshole has different variations. Here are some of the more popular ones that you may come across:

Common Rule Variations

• Jokers: Some games include Jokers as the highest card.
• Reverse Card: Adding a card (such as 8), to reverse the direction of play is another variation.
• Burning/Skips: This rule allows players to play four of the same card, clearing the pile and skipping the next player.

Why Asshole is a Fun Game

Asshole is a great game for many reasons. The rankings, the simple rules, and the fast-paced action will keep you entertained for hours. Also, the variations of the game allows many different ways to play. The combination of strategy and luck makes it fun for all ages and skill levels.

There you have it – a full guide on how to play the card game Asshole. With some practice, you will learn how to play this game in no time. Grab a deck of cards, gather some friends, and get ready for some good times! Have fun with it, don’t take it too seriously, and remember to enjoy the game!