How to Play President (Card Game)
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Introduction
President, also known as “Scum,” “Janitor,” “Kings & Bums,” and more, is a fun and engaging card game that is perfect for groups of friends or family. In President, the objective is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards in each round. The game has a unique distinction between high-ranking and low-ranking players based on their performance, making the game both competitive and entertaining. This article will teach you how to play President and provide you with tips and strategies to succeed.
Setup
To play President, you’ll need a standard 52-card deck without Jokers and 4-7 players.
1. Shuffle the deck thoroughly.
2. Deal all of the cards out evenly among all players. Depending on the number of players, some may end up with an extra card – that’s fine.
Playing The Game
The game proceeds clockwise around the table with players taking turns playing cards from their hand to a central pile. Here are the basic rules for playing:
1. The player holding the lowest card (usually 3 of clubs) starts the round by playing that card face-up on the table.
2. Each subsequent player must play a card (or cards) that are higher in rank than the last card(s) played on the table. For example, if the previous player played a five, the next player must play a six or higher.
3. Players can play individual cards or sets of cards with matching ranks (e.g., two sevens, three nines). If you go out on a set of cards (triplets or better), it clears the pile and you get another turn immediately.
4. If a player is unable to play any valid card(s), they pass their turn.
5. When all players pass consecutively after one player has put down their card(s), the pile is cleared. The player who contributed the last card(s) begins the next round with any card or set that they want.
6. Aces are high and 2’s are considered wildcards. They can be played on any card, and the player continues their turn immediately after playing it.
7. Play continues until one player runs out of cards. That player becomes “President” for the next round. The remaining players continue playing for the other ranks: Vice President, Citizen(s), and Bum (the last player with cards).
8. Reshuffle and deal cards for subsequent rounds, with the Bum dealing and giving their two highest cards to the President, who in turn gives two of their choice back to the Bum.
9. Repeat this process for additional rounds, changing rankings and giving/taking cards according to ranking.
Tips & Strategy
1. Take note of high-ranking cards: Keep track of what high-ranking cards have been played and what is still left in players’ hands so you can make better decisions when playing your cards.
2. Conserve powerful cards: Don’t blow your Aces or wildcards too early in a round; try to save them for when you need a big play to remain in control.
3. Hold onto pairs/sets: It’s usually better to hold onto pairs and sets until later in a round, as they are more likely to be unbeatable by other players.
4. Analyze opponents’ strategies: Pay attention to how your opponents are playing each round; adapt your strategy based on their play style to increase your chances of winning.
Congratulations! Now that you know how to play President, gather some friends and enjoy this exciting card game that’ll keep everyone engaged for hours on end. And who knows? With skill and strategy on your side, maybe