⚡ Speed: card game rules

How to play Speed

Goal: Be the first to get rid of all your cards. There are no turns, so everyone plays as fast as they can.

Setting up

1. Each player gets 5 cards in hand and a face-down personal pile of 15 cards.
2. Off to the side, make two face-down piles of 5 cards each. These are the spare piles.
3. The last two cards go face down in the middle, side by side.

How to play

1. Both players flip the two middle cards at the same moment, and the game begins.
2. Play a card on either middle pile if it is one higher or one lower, whatever the suit (on a 7 you can play a 6 or an 8).
3. The Ace connects to both the King and the 2, so the sequence wraps around.
4. After each card you play, refill from your personal pile, so you never hold more than 5 cards.
5. When both players are stuck, each flips a card from a spare pile into the middle at the same time and play continues.
6. If the spare piles run out, shuffle the middle cards and use them to make new spare piles.

Who wins

The first player to get rid of every card in their hand and personal pile wins.

Tips

• Look at both middle piles together. You can often play several cards in a row.
• Play on a steady table and remind everyone that no one grabs cards out of anyone's hand.

Variations

• Speed for beginners: play slowly and take turns until everyone is comfortable with the 'one up or one down' rule.