Speed (card game)

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Speed is a card game.

[edit] Dealing

Layout of a Speed game
Layout of a Speed game

Each player is dealt five cards to form a hand, and fifteen cards facedown to form a drawing pile. A stack of five cards is then placed facedown on each side between the players, and serves as a replacement pile. Finally, two cards are placed between the replacement piles in the center in two different places, also facedown.

[edit] Gameplay

Each player flips over a card in the center. Simultaneously, opposing players place cards either ascending or descending in rank according to one of the cards in the middle. For example, if a 7 was one of the middle cards, players could play either a 6 or an 8. The cards can also make a complete cycle, going from a King to an Ace to a 2 or vice-versa. A player can take more cards from his drawing pile during any time; however, a player can have no more than five cards in his hand at any one time. When both players cannot play any of their cards, a card from each replacement pile is turned over and play resumes. The game is finally over when one player runs out of cards, and is declared the winner. When both players cannot play and there are no more cards in the replacement piles, the person with the least cards wins.

[edit] Variations In Play

Doubles: In addition to ascending or descending order, players can also play a card equal in value to the face-up card. For example, if a 7 was one of the middle cards, players could play either a 6, 7, or an 8.

Multiple Cards: While most players choose to rule that only one card can be played at a time, others favor playing where opponents can play multiple cards. For example, if a player's hand consisted of a 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, and a 4 was one of the down cards, he or she could play all of the cards in one placement.

Verbal Win: In some games, a player is required to shout "Speed!" in addition to placing all of his cards in order to win.