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.

With this guide, you’ll master Spit in no time, gaining a fun way to connect with friends or family while enjoying a lively challenge.

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:

• A standard deck of 52 playing cards (one for each player).
• A flat surface to play on, such as a table.
• A partner—Spit is a two-player game.

Budget Considerations:

• No fancy equipment needed! Use any regular deck of cards, even an old one you have lying around.

Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Play Spit

Objective: The aim is to be the first to play all your cards into the center piles.

Set Up Your Cards:

• Each player gets 26 cards and arranges them into five piles in front of them:
  • Pile 1: 1 card face up.
  • Pile 2: 1 card face up with 4 face-down cards underneath.
  • Pile 3: 1 card face up with 3 face-down cards underneath.
  • Pile 4: 1 card face up with 2 face-down cards underneath.
  • Pile 5: 1 card face up with 1 face-down card underneath.
• The remaining 11 cards become your personal stockpile, kept face-down.

Start the Game:

• Each player flips over the top card of their stockpile at the same time and places it in the center. These two cards form the starting piles.

Gameplay Rules:

• Both players simultaneously try to play their face-up cards onto the center piles.
• A card can be played if it is one rank higher or lower than the top card on a center pile, regardless of suit. For example, a 7 can be played on an 8 or a 6.
• After playing a card, turn over the next card in the same pile.

Refreshing the Center Piles:

• If both players are stuck and cannot play, yell “Spit!”
• Flip over the next top card from each player's stockpile to refresh the center piles.

Winning a Round:

• A round ends when one player runs out of cards in their play piles.
• The winner of the round takes the smaller center pile, and the loser takes the larger pile.

Winning the Game:

• Continue playing rounds until one player has no cards left in their stockpile or play piles.

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’ve got everything you need to play Spit and enjoy a thrilling card game session. Remember, practice makes perfect!

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!