President is a shedding-type card game for four players in two partnerships. It is similar to the shedding-type game Crazy Eights, but with some important differences. The game is played with a 52-card deck. Aces are high, followed by Kings, Queens, Jacks, 10s, and so on down to 2s.
The game begins with the player to the left of the dealer dealing 7 cards to each player. The remaining cards are placed face down in a pile in the center of the table. The player to the left of the dealer then turns the top card of the pile face up to start the discard pile.
On his turn, a player must play a card from his hand that matches either the suit or the rank of the card on the discard pile. If a player cannot play a card, he must draw a card from the deck. If the card he draws can be played, he may play it immediately. If not, his turn ends. The first player to get rid of all of his cards wins the game.
Overview of the President Card Game
The President card game, also known as “Last Card” or “13,” is a trick-taking game for four or more players using a standard 52-card deck. Players bid on the number of tricks they believe they can take, and the player with the highest bid becomes the President. The President has the privilege of choosing their partner, who becomes the Vice President. The goal of the game is to be the first team to reach a predetermined score, typically 100 or 200 points.
The President card game is a fun and challenging game of strategy and luck. It is a great game for families and friends to enjoy together.
Gameplay:
- Deal the Cards: The dealer shuffles the deck and deals 13 cards to each player.
- Bidding: Starting with the player to the left of the dealer, each player bids on the number of tricks they believe they can take. The minimum bid is 1, and the maximum bid is 13. A player can also bid “nil,” which means they do not believe they will take any tricks.
- Choosing Partners: The player with the highest bid becomes the President. The President then chooses their partner, who becomes the Vice President.
- Playing Tricks: The player to the left of the President leads with any card. The other players then take turns playing a card of the same suit. If a player does not have a card of the same suit, they can play any card. The highest card of the suit led wins the trick. The player who wins the trick leads the next card.
- Scoring: Each trick taken counts as 1 point. If a team takes more tricks than they bid, they receive bonus points. If a team takes fewer tricks than they bid, they lose points. The first team to reach the predetermined score wins the game.
| Bid | Points |
|---|---|
| 1-6 | 10 |
| 7-12 | 20 |
| 13 | 30 |
| Nil (Successful) | 40 |
| Nil (Unsuccessful) | -100 |
Setting Up the Game
To begin a game of President, you’ll need:
- A standard 52-card deck
- 3 or more players
Players take turns drawing cards one at a time from the deck until one player draws a 3. The player who draws the 3 becomes the President. The player to the President’s left becomes the Vice President, the player to the right becomes the Diplomat, and the player across from the President becomes the Pauper.
Table of Card Rankings
| Rank | Value |
|---|---|
| 3 | 20 |
| 2 | 15 |
| Ace | 10 |
| King | 9 |
| Queen | 8 |
| Jack | 7 |
| 10 | 6 |
| 9 | 5 |
| 8 | 4 |
| 7 | 3 |
| 6 | 2 |
| 5 | 1 |
| 4 | 0 |
Distributing the Cards
To begin the game, the cards are distributed as follows:
Step 1: Shuffle the Deck
One player shuffles the deck thoroughly to ensure that the cards are randomized.
Step 2: Determine the President and Vice President
The cards are dealt one at a time to each player starting with the player to the left of the dealer. The player who receives the first ace of spades becomes the President, and the player who receives the second ace of spades becomes the Vice President.
Step 3: Deal the Cards
| Player | Number of Cards |
|---|---|
| President | 13 |
| Vice President | 12 |
| All Other Players | 10 |
The dealer deals the remaining cards evenly to all the players. Players should keep their cards hidden from other players.
Step 4: Check for Special Cards
Players check their cards for any special cards, such as the Joker (wild card) or the 2 of Clubs (spy card). These cards have special rules and can significantly impact the gameplay.
Determining the President
The first step in a game of President is to determine who will be the President. This is done by dealing three cards to each player, face down. Players then look at their cards and keep one, passing the other two to the player on their left.
The player with the highest-ranking card becomes the President. In the event of a tie, the player with the suit of hearts becomes President. If there is still a tie, the player with the suit of diamonds becomes President, and so on.
The President then chooses a Vice President, who will be the next highest-ranking player. The Vice President then chooses a Secretary, who will be the third highest-ranking player. The Secretary then chooses a Treasurer, who will be the fourth highest-ranking player.
These four players make up the “government” of the game. The President has the most power, followed by the Vice President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer.
Special Cases
There are a few special cases that can occur when determining the President:
- If all players have the same rank of card, the player with the suit of hearts becomes President.
- If all players have the same suit, the player with the highest-ranking card becomes President.
- If two players have the same rank and suit of card, the player who dealt the cards becomes President.
| Rank | Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 14 |
| King | 13 |
| Queen | 12 |
| Jack | 11 |
| 10 | 10 |
| 9 | 9 |
| 8 | 8 |
| 7 | 7 |
| 6 | 6 |
| 5 | 5 |
| 4 | 4 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 2 | 2 |
Playing the Game
President is a trick-taking card game played with a standard deck of 52 cards. The game is played by 3 or more players in teams of 2 or more players. The goal of the game is to be the first team to win 13 tricks.
Deal
The dealer shuffles the deck and deals 13 cards to each player. The remaining cards are placed in a pile in the center of the table.
Bidding
The player to the left of the dealer starts the bidding. The bid is the number of tricks that the player thinks their team can win. The player can bid any number from 0 to 13. The highest bidder becomes the President.
Playing the Game
The President leads the first trick by playing any card in their hand. The other players must follow suit if they can. If they cannot follow suit, they can play any card. The highest card of the suit led wins the trick. The player who wins the trick leads the next trick.
During normal play, the President can play any card. The other players can follow suit if they want, but they are not obligated to. A trick is made up of a combination of 4 cards, each of which is a different suit.
At any time during the game, a player can request to see a card from another player’s hand. The other player must show their card to the requesting player. However, they are not obligated to give up the card.
The game ends when one team wins 13 tricks. The winning team gets a point. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Winning and Losing
Winning
To win the game of President, a player must collect all 52 cards in their hand. There are several ways to do this, including:
- Capturing: A player can capture cards from other players by playing a higher-ranking card of the same suit or a joker.
- Discarding: A player can discard a card from their hand at any time. However, if another player plays a higher-ranking card of the same suit, the player who discarded the card must take back both cards.
- Stealing: A player can steal cards from another player by playing a 2 of spades. The player who played the 2 of spades can then choose any card from the other player’s hand.
Losing
A player loses the game if:
- They run out of cards: If a player runs out of cards, they must give all their cards to the player who won the last trick.
- They are caught cheating: If a player is caught cheating, they must give all their cards to the player who caught them cheating.
Winning and Losing Rules
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Collects all 52 cards | Player wins the game |
| Runs out of cards | Player loses the game and must give all their cards to the player who won the last trick |
| Caught cheating | Player loses the game and must give all their cards to the player who caught them cheating |
Special Cards and Rules
2. Wild Cards
- 2 of Spades (Black Maria): Can change the suit of the current round.
- Joker (Joker): Can change the suit and rank of the current round.
3. Revolution Cards
- Ace of Spades (Big Bertha): Forces players to play the next three cards face up.
- Queen of Spades (Atomic Bomb): Forces players to discard their hand and draw new cards.
- 4 of Hearts (Bogus): Cancels the effect of the previous special card played.
4. Scoring
Players earn points for capturing cards. The points are as follows:
| Card | Points |
|---|---|
| Ace | 11 |
| King | 4 |
| Queen | 3 |
| Jack | 2 |
| Number cards | Face value |
5. Strategy
- Lead with strong cards: If you have multiple cards of the same suit, lead with the highest one.
- Try for a "marriage": A pair of Kings or Queens can capture the highest card in the other suit.
- Use special cards wisely: Black Maria and Joker can help you change the course of the round.
6. Tactics
- Bluffing: Sometimes it’s helpful to bluff about having a strong card, even if you don’t.
- Gang up on opponents: If you and a partner have strong cards, coordinate your attacks to capture more points.
- Take risks: Don’t be afraid to play aggressively, but be prepared to lose if you misjudge your hand.
7. Variations
- No Wild Cards: Removes the 2 of Spades and Joker from the deck.
- Deuces Wild: Allows all 2s to be wild cards.
- Blind President: President must choose their partner without looking at their cards.
Variations of the President Card Game
There are many variations of the President card game, each with its own unique set of rules. Some of the most popular variations include:
Vice President
In this variation, there is a vice president in addition to the president. The vice president is the second highest-ranking player in the game and has the same powers as the president, except that they cannot veto the president’s decisions.
Secretary of State
In this variation, there is a secretary of state in addition to the president and vice president. The secretary of state is responsible for keeping track of the game’s progress and enforcing the rules.
Chief Justice
In this variation, there is a chief justice in addition to the president, vice president, and secretary of state. The chief justice is responsible for resolving disputes between players and making final decisions on the game’s rules.
Prime Minister
In this variation, there is a prime minister in addition to the president, vice president, secretary of state, and chief justice. The prime minister is the highest-ranking player in the game and has the power to make all final decisions.
Minister of Defense
In this variation, there is a minister of defense in addition to the president, vice president, secretary of state, chief justice, and prime minister. The minister of defense is responsible for protecting the president and other high-ranking players from attack.
Minister of Finance
In this variation, there is a minister of finance in addition to the president, vice president, secretary of state, chief justice, prime minister, and minister of defense. The minister of finance is responsible for managing the game’s finances.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In this variation, there is a minister of foreign affairs in addition to the president, vice president, secretary of state, chief justice, prime minister, minister of defense, and minister of finance. The minister of foreign affairs is responsible for negotiating with other players and forming alliances.
Tips and Strategies for Playing President
1. Learn the Rules
Becoming familiar with the rules of President will help you make informed decisions when playing.
2. Pay Attention to the Cards Played
Keep track of which cards have been played to anticipate your opponents’ potential moves.
3. Bluff Wisely
Bluffing can be an effective strategy, but use it sparingly to maintain credibility.
4. Control the Trump Suit
Try to keep the trump suit under your control by playing trump cards early.
5. Protect Your Aces
Aces are powerful cards, so protect them from being trumped or played back.
6. Team Up with Alliances
Consider forming temporary alliances with other players to gain an advantage.
7. Target the High-Ranking Players
Focus on eliminating players with high-ranking cards, as they can pose a significant threat.
8. Avoid Playing High Cards Too Early
Conserve your high cards for later rounds when they can have a greater impact.
9. Advanced Strategy for the “President”
As the President, you have additional advantages and strategies available to you:
| Strategy | Details |
|---|---|
| “Pass the Buck” | Trade your hand with a lower-ranked player to avoid playing a card. |
| “Give the Chair” | Pass the presidency to another player, forcing them to play a card. |
| “Order a Card” | Request a specific card from another player, forcing them to play it if possible. |
| “Veto” | Prevent a player from passing the buck or playing a certain card. |
| “Last Card” | In your final turn, declare your highest card as the last card, ending the game. |
Etiquette and Sportsmanship in President
Playing card games should be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Here are some tips on how to maintain good etiquette and sportsmanship while playing President.
1. Be Respectful
Always be respectful of your fellow players, regardless of your skill level or your position in the game.
2. Don’t Cheat
Cheating is never okay. If you’re caught cheating, you will likely be asked to leave the game.
3. Don’t Trash Talk
Trash talking is never appropriate, even if you’re winning. It’s disrespectful and can ruin the game for everyone else.
4. Be a Good Loser
If you lose, don’t be a sore loser. Congratulate the winner and move on.
5. Be a Good Winner
If you win, don’t be a gloater. Be humble and gracious in your victory.
6. Don’t Slow Down the Game
If you have a turn, take it quickly so as not to slow down the game. If you need to decide what to do, please try to do so before it is your turn.
7. Return Cards Quickly
When you are finished with a card, return it to the bottom of the deck quickly so that the next player can take their turn.
8. Announce Your Play Clearly
When you play a card, announce it clearly so that everyone can hear you.
9. Don’t Argue About Rules
If there is a dispute about the rules, please discuss it with your fellow players and try to come to a consensus. If you cannot agree, please refer to the official rules.
10. Avoid Unnecessary Questions
Please refrain from asking unnecessary questions during the game. This can slow down the game and be disruptive to other players. Here are some examples of unnecessary questions:
| Unnecessary Questions |
|---|
| “What card did you play?” |
| “Why did you play that card?” |
| “What cards do you have?” |
How to Play Card Game President
The game of President is a shedding-type card game for three or more players, using a standard 52-card deck. The goal of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of their cards.
The game is played in a clockwise direction. The player to the left of the dealer starts by playing a card. The next player must play a card of the same suit, if possible. If they cannot, they must play a trump card. If they cannot play a card of the same suit or a trump card, they must draw a card from the deck.
The player who plays the highest card of the suit led wins the trick. They then lead the next trick.
The game continues until one player has gotten rid of all of their cards. That player is the President.
