Cheat is a classic bluffing card game where players try to get rid of all their cards by playing them face down and announcing their value. Players may lie about what they are playing, but they risk being called out by others. The goal is simple: be the first player to run out of cards. Here is how to play.
You may also know this game as I Doubt It.
Materials You Need
- A standard 52-card deck
- Three or more players seated around a table
Basic Setup
Shuffle the deck and deal all cards face down to the players. Cards do not need to be dealt evenly.
Choose one player to go first. Play proceeds clockwise.
How the Game Works
Declaring Cards
iStock – michael meijer
On your turn, place one or more cards face down into the center pile and announce their rank.
For example, you might say “two Fives” or “one King.”
You may tell the truth or lie about the cards you play.
Turn Order
Each turn must follow a fixed card order, moving upward through the ranks:
- Ace
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- Jack
- Queen
- King
After Kings, the sequence returns to Aces.
Players must declare cards matching the current rank, even if they do not actually have them.
Calling Cheat
After a player declares their cards, any other player may call “Cheat” if they believe the declaration is false.
- If the declaration was a lie, the player who lied picks up the entire center pile.
- If the declaration was truthful, the player who called Cheat picks up the entire center pile.
Once the pile is collected, play continues with the next rank in sequence.
Winning the Game
The first player to get rid of all their cards wins.
Players may still call Cheat even if they have no cards left. If they are forced to pick up the pile, they rejoin the game.
Important Rules to Remember
- Cards are always played face down.
- Players must announce a rank every turn.
- Anyone may call Cheat immediately after a declaration.
- The center pile is only collected when Cheat is called.
- The rank order never changes during the game.
Optional Variations
- Limit players to playing a maximum of four cards per turn.
- Require players to play at least one card on every turn.
- Allow players to pass if they have no cards of the current rank.
Tips for Playing Cheat
- Pay attention to how many cards of each rank have already been played.
- Use consistent announcements to avoid giving away tells.
- Do not call Cheat too often or players will catch on.
- Watch reactions as closely as the cards.
- Agree on variations before starting.
Party Game Guides
- How to Play Salad Bowl
- How to Play Fishbowl
- How to Play Celebrity
- How to Play Mafia
- How to Play Werewolf
- How to Play Bunco
- How to Play Spoons
- How to Play President
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