How to Play Spit

Spit (sometimes called Speed) is a fast-paced, two-player match game that is both intense and enjoyable.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 2 Chairs
• Card Tables
• Playing Cards

The Setup

1. Sit at a table facing your opponent.

2. Divide a standard 52-card deck evenly between both players (26 cards each).

3. Avoid looking at your cards as you begin your setup.

4. Set up five piles of cards face down in front of you. From left to right, your piles should be as follows: the first pile has one card, the second has two, the third has three, the fourth has four and the fifth has five.

5. Turn over the top card in each pile.

6. Hold the rest of your cards in your nondominant hand (probably your left hand if you are right-handed). These cards are your spit cards.

7. Hold your spit cards throughout the game to ensure that you play with only one hand.

The Game

1. Start the game when both players are done setting up.

2. Say "One, two, three, SPIT." At the same time, place the top cards from your in-hand spit cards between both of your setups, forming two "spit piles."

3. Play cards either one higher or one lower than the top card on either spit pile. Use only exposed cards from your setup. For example, if one of the spit piles shows a ten, you may play either a nine or a jack. If a jack is played, the next card must be either a ten or a queen.

4. Play cards as fast you can, placing them on either pile. The first person to put his or her card down prevails.

5. Expose the next card in your setup after you use a card. Keep five cards exposed in front of you at all times.

6. Count "One, two, three, SPIT" when neither player can play a card on either spit pile.

7. Keep playing until one player has no cards left in his or her setup.

8. Stop playing.

9. Pick up the smaller spit pile and shuffle it into your spit cards if you were the first one done. The other player must pick up the larger pile.

10. Shuffle your cards.

11. Make your setup again.

12. Continue playing until one player has too few cards to make a complete setup. This player should make as much of a setup as possible. He or she will have no spit cards, so there will be only one spit pile in the center.

13. "Pick up" the nonexistent spit pile if you win the round with only one spit pile. If this means you have no cards at all, you win.

14. Continue playing until someone wins.

Tips & Warnings

• At all times during the game, you are allowed to have five piles and five cards showing. So after you use a card, turn over the next card in the pile.

• Once a pile is used up, take an exposed card from another pile and put it in the empty pile's place. Then you may expose another card from the pile that supplied the card. Do this until you have fewer than five cards left.

• Speed is the key.

• Keep five cards showing in your setup at all times.

• Place cards using only one hand, and make sure your opponent is doing the same.

• On an ace, play either a king or a two.

• You may not count the number of cards in the spit piles after you win a round. Just guess and try to pick up the smaller one.