Shithead card game rules. How to play shithead

Shithead is a fun card game that is quick to learn. It is a game that is played in many countries and is also popular among backpackers. Other names for shithead are palace and China hand. In Dutch this card game is called Swedish bullying. On this page you will learn how to play shithead.

Shithead card game rules

General rules shithead

  • This card game can be played with 2 to 5 people.
  • Shithead is played with all 52 playing cards plus the jokers.
  • Each player receives 9 cards at the beginning of the game.
  • The value of cards from low to high is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen, king, ace and finally the joker.
  • The goal of the game is to get rid of all the cards in front of you.

Dealing

After shuffling, the cards are dealt as follows.

  • Each player receives 3 closed, face down cards.
  • After this, each player receives 3 face up cards. These are placed on top of the closed cards.
  • Finally, each player receives 3 cards face down which he or she holds in their hand. So in total you receive 9 cards.

Game play shithead

  • Players may exchange the 3 cards in hand with the 3 face up cards at the beginning of the game.
  • The player with a face up 3 may If more than one player has a 3, the order of play is clubs, spades, hearts and diamonds. If no 3 is face up, then the first player to call a 3 in their hand can start. Does no one have a 3? Then the player with a 4 begins. This player discards a card. This card is the discard pile.
  • Do you have cards in your hand with the same values, for example 2 eights? Then you may throw those all at once.
  • After a player discards a card, then that player takes as many cards from the draw pile to fill their hand to 3 cards, unless they already have 3 or more cards or if the draw pile is depleted.
  • Shithead is played clockwise. The next player must try to play an equal or higher card. If this succeeds, then it is the next player’s turn. If a player cannot throw an equal or higher card, they must take the entire discard pile.
  • The next player may continue playing by throwing a card that forms the new discard pile.
  • Each player replenishes his or her cards to 3 each time. Is the draw pile depleted? Then you may start with the 3 face-up cards in front of you. If you have played those away, then you start with the closed cards. You may not look at these before playing a card! If the card goes on the discard pile, then it is the next player’s turn. If not, take the discard pile.

Special cards shithead

Some cards have a special value in this card game.

  • 2: You can always throw a 2. It does not matter which card is on top of the discard pile.
  • 7: if a player throws a 7, then the next player must throw a 7 or a lower card. However, the next player must try to throw a higher card.
  • 9: this is a transparent card that you may always throw. For the next player, the card below the 9 applies.
  • 10: if a player throws a 10, the discard pile is put aside and removed from this round. That player may then immediately throw another card that forms the new discard pile.
  • 4 same cards. Do you have 4 cards of the same value in your hand? Same as for a 10. You may throw them, after which the discard pile is set aside. Then you start a new discard pile.
  • Joker: You can always throw the joker. The joker is also transparent and the card below it applies to the next player.

Shithead has several variants. So if you play this game with other people, the rules may be slightly different. However, it is always an exciting game!

 

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