How to Play Spit

Spit is perfect for adults juggling busy schedules. It’s quick to learn, doesn’t require a big budget, and offers an exciting mental workout—ideal for a break from the daily grind.

Brief Game Overview

Spit is a two-player card-shedding game where each player races to play out all their cards onto two shared center piles. You’ll need a sharp eye, quick hands, and just a standard deck of 52 cards. It’s a blend of speed and strategy—great for staying engaged and entertained.

We’ll cover everything from setting up the game, organizing your cards, and playing your first round, to solving common problems along the way.

Getting Started – What You’ll Need

Essential Materials:

• • Standard Deck of 52 Cards: One deck for each pair of players.
  • Flat Playing Surface: A table or any flat area where both players can place their piles.
  • Opponent: Spit is traditionally a two-player game.

Budget Tip:

• No special gadgets or fancy setups. An old deck of cards lying around the house is all you need.

Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Play Spit

Setup

1. Deal 26 cards to each player.
2. Arrange five piles in front of each player as follows (face-down cards are beneath a single face-up card):
   • Pile 1: 1 card face up
   • Pile 2: 1 card face up, 4 cards face down
   • Pile 3: 1 card face up, 3 cards face down
   • Pile 4: 1 card face up, 2 cards face down
   • Pile 5: 1 card face up, 1 card face down
3. Form your stockpile: The remaining 11 cards for each player stay face-down in a personal stockpile.

Pro Tip: Make sure each face-up card is clearly visible. It saves confusion once the game starts flying along.

Objective

Be the first to get rid of all your cards from both your play piles and your stockpile.

How to Play Each Turn

1. Starting the Center Piles

   • Each player flips over the top card of their stockpile at the same time and places it in the center. You now have two center piles to work with.

2. Playing Cards

   • Both players simultaneously try to place any of their face-up cards onto either center pile.
   • You can play a card if it’s exactly one rank higher or lower than the top card on a center pile (suits don’t matter).
     • For example, a 7 can be placed on an 8 or a 6.
   • Each time you move a card from one of your five piles, immediately flip over the next face-down card in that pile (if any remain).

3. Refreshing the Center

   • If both players get stuck and no one can make a move, say “Spit!” together.
   • Each player flips the next card from their stockpile onto a center pile to keep the game rolling.

Scoring & Winning

Ending a Round

• A round ends when one player runs out of cards in their five piles (even if they still have stockpile cards left).
• The winner (the one who cleared their piles first) takes the smaller center pile, while the other player takes the larger center pile.
• Each player then adds these center pile cards to their remaining stockpile, shuffles, and sets up for the next round in the same five-pile format.

Overall Winner

• Keep playing rounds until one player has no cards left at all—no play pile cards and no stockpile. That person is the Spit champion!

Secrets to Win Spit

• Stay Organized: Keep your piles neat so you can quickly see which cards are face up and available to play.
• Watch Both Center Piles: Don’t fixate on just one pile. You might miss a key opportunity on the other.
• Think One Step Ahead: If you notice a card that can chain onto the next, plan your moves in rapid succession to prevent your opponent from getting the advantage.
• Speed Versus Accuracy: It’s tempting to rush, but playing the wrong card can cost you precious seconds.

Troubleshooting

• Cards Get Stuck: Ensure the play piles are arranged correctly at the start to avoid mismanagement.
• Center Piles Build Too High: If rounds take too long, try speeding up the refresh by flipping stockpile cards more often.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can more than two people play Spit?
A: Spit is traditionally a two-player game. For more players, consider alternative games like Speed.

Q: What happens if both players finish at the same time?
A: It’s a tie for that round. Split the center piles evenly and continue.

Q: Can I use a Joker?
A: Jokers are not typically used in Spit. Stick to a standard 52-card deck for simplicity.

Conclusion

You now have everything you need to jump into a thrilling round of Spit. It’s quick, dynamic, and a perfect way to sharpen your reflexes. Practice really does make perfect—so keep playing and see how fast your hands can go!

Explore other fast-paced card games like Speed or Egyptian Rat Screw to expand your repertoire.

Share this guide with a friend and challenge them to a game of Spit today!