If you’ve got good reflexes and enjoy the pressure of a fast-paced card game, then Speed is perfect for you. It’s an awesomely fun two-player card game.
So, if you’re looking for something to play with your best mate at a sleepover or maybe you want a couple’s card game to play with your partner during a vacation, Speed is an excellent game for you.
As well as being fast, you also need to use your head to play Speed, which is why I have put together this simple step-by-step guide, i.e., Speed Card game rules and how to play so that you have all the knowledge you need before you start playing.
Let’s take a look.
Overview of Speed Card Game?
The Speed card game is a quick-thinking, strategic game in which, like the game Durak, the main aim is to get rid of all your cards. This is what is recognized as a “shedding card game.“
If you’re a fan of card shedding games like this, you could always find out how to play the Spit card game, which is also very similar to Speed but slightly more complex.
I always find that the best thing about a Speed card game is that the longer the game goes on, you settle into it and become more confident, and the more Speed you gain.
What You’ll Need to Play?
The Speed card game is a two-player card game that is played using a classic deck of 52 cards, which can be found on Amazon for a really low price; also, to play it, you will need to possess some elementary skills, which include counting and quick-thinking.
You’ll also need to use your memory to some extent.
Speed is supposed to be a two-player card game; however, with a slight variation in the speed card game rules, it is possible to play with more people if you wish.
You will need a second deck of cards. Plus, you will need another side pile and another center card for each additional player.
So now you have everything you need, let’s find out how to start.
Starting the Game
Firstly, it’s good to remember that Speed is not a game in which the players take turns. Instead, you both play at the same time, meaning you don’t need to spend time, in the beginning, deciding who is going to go first.
Select one of you to be the dealer. The dealer should shuffle the deck and give both players five cards each for their primary hand, and fifteen cards each will be their personal draw deck.
Next, the dealer should place two cards, face down, in the center of the playing area. Then, using the cards which are left, form two piles of five cards, which will also be drawn decks, and place them to the side.
Now, turn over the two cards you placed in the center of the table, and you’re ready to play.
Rules & Gameplay
To play the game, you need to add cards from your hand to the cards in the center of the playing area (the ones you just flipped over, the build piles.)
The idea is to do this as fast as possible, and don’t forget, there is no turn-taking involved, so you are basically trying to get rid of cards as quickly as you can.
The rules are simple; you don’t need to worry about suits, only numbers. You need to put down a card, either one number below or one above the card that was previously placed.
For example, if one of the upturned cards is 3, you can put down a 2 or a 4. Of course, there are two piles to work on in the middle, so you must have your eyes on both stacks simultaneously as well as keep a check on your deck.
Each time you place down a card, you can pick up another from your personal draw deck, you don’t have to do this every time, but you can if you choose to, as long as you’re never holding more than five cards in your playing hand at one time.
If you find that you can’t put a card down at any time, sit back and wait, the other player carries on placing down cards on their own until you’re able to join back in.
If you find that you can’t continue, each should take a card from the decks you placed at the side during setup. Do this at the same time, and put them onto the center piles, then continue as you were.
How to Win The Speed Card Game?
This is simple. As I mentioned previously, this is a card-shedding game, meaning that the aim of the game is to get rid of your cards before the other player.
So, move with haste, and the first player to reach their personal cards down to zero should shout out “Speed!”. This person wins the game.
You can play Speed for as many rounds as you like, and if you want, you can take a score of how many games each player wins, so you will have an overall winner when you finish.
Other Ways To Play Speed Card Game
If you feel like you’ve mastered Speed, or you have read this guide and think it sounds a little bit too simple, there are other variations that you can play to make your card game a little bit more challenging.
One of the things you can do is instead of playing a card that is one higher or lower than the previous card; you can play cards that are equal in value.
For example, if there is a two down, you play a two; if there’s a King down, play a King, and so on. This will elongate the game slightly and make it a bit more tricky.
You could also introduce wild cards using the jokers. This means that if you’ve got a joker card in your hand, you can play it to any value. This gives you the upper hand as it means that you can play your joker anytime if you’re stuck.
And That’s a Wrap!
So now you have all the information you need to start playing the fun card game, Speed the quick-thinking, fast-paced two-player card game for your next couples-night. Go ahead, Enjoy!
