Rat Screw is a fast-paced card game focused on quick reflexes and attention. Players take turns playing cards into a central pile while watching for specific patterns that allow anyone to slap the pile. The goal is to collect all the cards in play. Here is how to play.
Materials You Need
- A standard 52-card deck
- Two or more players seated around a table
Card Rankings
Card rank only matters during face card challenges. From lowest to highest:
- 2 through 10
- Jack
- Queen
- King
- Ace
Basic Setup
Shuffle the deck and deal all cards face down to the players. Cards do not need to be dealt evenly.
Players keep their cards in a face-down stack and may not look at them.
How the Game Works
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Playing Cards
Players take turns clockwise. On your turn, flip the top card from your stack face up onto the center pile.
Play continues one card at a time unless interrupted by a slap or a face card challenge.
Face Card Challenges
When a face card is played, a challenge begins immediately:
- Jack: The next player has one chance to play another face card.
- Queen: The next player has two chances.
- King: The next player has three chances.
- Ace: The next player has four chances.
Each chance means flipping one card onto the pile.
If the challenged player plays another face card within the allowed number of flips, a new challenge begins based on that card.
If the challenged player fails to play a face card within the allowed flips, the player who laid the original face card wins the entire pile and places it face down at the bottom of their stack.
Slapping the Pile
At any time, any player may slap the center pile when one of the following patterns appears:
- Double: Two cards of the same rank appear consecutively.
- Sandwich: Two cards of the same rank appear with one card between them.
- Top Bottom: The top card and the bottom card of the pile match in rank.
The first player to slap correctly wins the pile and places it face down at the bottom of their stack.
Incorrect Slaps
If a player slaps the pile when none of the valid patterns are present, they must give one card from the top of their stack to the bottom of the pile as a penalty.
Running Out of Cards
If a player runs out of cards, they may still slap the pile to get back into the game.
If that player slaps correctly, they take the entire pile and rejoin the game. If they slap incorrectly, they are eliminated.
Winning the Game
The game ends when one player collects all the cards.
Important Rules to Remember
- Only face cards start challenges.
- Slap rules apply at all times, including during challenges.
- Incorrect slaps always carry a penalty.
- Players without cards may still slap to re-enter.
Tips for Playing Rat Screw
- Agree on slap rules before starting to avoid arguments.
- Keep hands visible to prevent disputes.
- Play on a sturdy surface to protect cards.
- Use one clear direction of play.
- This game can get loud. Set expectations early.
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