How to play Slapjack
Slapjack is for two to four players and one deck. Deal every card face down, round the table, and keep your cards in a pile without looking. Going clockwise, each player flips the top card of their pile onto one pile in the middle.
When a jack lands on top, slap it. The first hand on the pile takes the whole pile and puts it under their own cards. When two hands land together, the one underneath was first. Slap a card that isn't a jack and you give your top card to the player who flipped it.
Running out of cards doesn't put you out. You keep watching, and the next jack you slap brings you back. The game ends when one player holds all 52.
How to play Speed
Speed is for two. Each player gets 20 cards: 5 in hand and 15 in a draw pile. The last 12 make two side piles of 6. On three, you each flip a card from a side pile into the middle to start the two middle piles.
Then there are no turns. You both play as fast as you can, putting a card on a middle pile when it is one up or one down from the top card. Suit doesn't count, and an ace goes on a 2 or a king. Each card you play, you take one from your draw pile, so you hold five until it runs out.
When neither of you can go, count to three and flip a new card from the side piles onto each middle pile. If the side piles are gone, shuffle the cards under the two tops into new ones. The first to empty both hand and draw pile wins.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you slap the wrong card in Slapjack?
You give your top card to the player who flipped the card you slapped. If you flipped it yourself, it goes under the middle pile.
Are you out when you run out of cards in Slapjack?
No. You keep watching the pile, and if you slap the next jack first you take the pile and you're back in.
How many cards do you deal in Speed?
Twenty each: five to hold and fifteen as a draw pile. The other twelve make two side piles of six.
Can an ace go on a king in Speed?
Yes. An ace counts as one up from a king and one down from a 2, so it goes on either.
What if nobody can play in Speed?
Count to three and both flip a card from the side piles onto the middle piles. If the side piles are used up, shuffle everything under the two top cards into new side piles.
Slap Pile on your phone
Slap Pile plays Slapjack, Speed, Egyptian Ratscrew, Snap and War on one phone or tablet lying flat on the table. Each player gets a slap pad of their own, the phone decides whose hand landed first, and the computer can fill an empty seat. It's Android only for now. It's free on Google Play.
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