How to Play Bullshit (Cheat): The Ultimate Guide
Bullshit, also known as Cheat, Doubt It, or I Doubt It, is a classic card game of deception and bluffing that’s easy to learn but hard to master. It’s a fantastic game for players of all ages and skill levels, providing hours of entertainment and strategic thinking. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the rules, strategies, and variations of Bullshit, ensuring you become a master of deception in no time!
## What is Bullshit (Cheat)?
The core objective of Bullshit is simple: be the first player to get rid of all your cards. Players take turns playing cards face down, claiming they are of a specific rank. Other players can then call “Bullshit!” (or “Cheat!” or “I Doubt It!” depending on your preferred name for the game) if they suspect the player is lying. If the accused player is indeed lying, they must pick up the entire discard pile. However, if they were telling the truth, the accuser must pick up the pile. The game continues until one player successfully gets rid of all their cards.
## Required Materials
* **A standard deck of 52 playing cards:** You can use a single deck for 2-6 players, or combine multiple decks for larger groups.
* **A flat surface:** A table or floor to play the cards on.
* **Players:** Ideally, 2-10 players. The game is more exciting with more people, as it increases the likelihood of bluffing and accusations.
## Setting Up the Game
1. **Shuffle the Deck:** Thoroughly shuffle the deck of cards to ensure a random distribution.
2. **Deal the Cards:** Deal all the cards face down, one at a time, to each player. It doesn’t matter if some players receive slightly more cards than others. The important thing is that all cards are dealt.
3. **Determine the Starting Player:** The starting player is typically the person to the left of the dealer, or the player holding the lowest card (e.g., the 3 of diamonds if 3s are the starting rank, or Ace of Spades if aces are the starting rank when playing with variations. Make sure to decide on this before the game begins).
## Gameplay: Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to play Bullshit, move by move:
1. **The First Turn:**
* The player starting the game must play one or more cards face down, claiming they are of a specific rank. This rank is usually determined by the game’s current sequence. In a standard game, the first player claims to be playing one or more Aces (or whatever you determined the starting rank to be before the game). For example, the first player might place two cards face down and say, “Two Aces.” They may or may not actually be Aces. It’s all about the bluff!
2. **Subsequent Turns:**
* Play proceeds clockwise around the table. Each player, in turn, must play cards face down, claiming they are the next rank in sequence. After Aces come Twos, then Threes, then Fours, and so on, up to Kings, and then back to Aces.
* For instance, if the previous player played “Two Aces,” the next player must play Twos. They can play one, two, three, or even four cards, claiming they are all Twos. Again, they can lie or tell the truth. That’s where the strategy comes in.
3. **Calling “Bullshit!” (or “Cheat!” or “I Doubt It!”):**
* At any point after a player has placed their card(s) down, any other player can call “Bullshit!” (or “Cheat!” or “I Doubt It!”). This is where the accusations and tension rise!
* **When to Call Bullshit:** You should call Bullshit when you suspect a player is lying about the rank of the cards they played. This suspicion can be based on several factors, such as:
* **Limited Cards:** If a player has very few cards left, and they are claiming to play a large number of a specific rank, it’s more likely they are bluffing.
* **Previous Behavior:** If a player has been caught bluffing before, you might be more inclined to doubt them.
* **Gut Feeling:** Sometimes, you just have a feeling that a player is lying. Trust your intuition!
4. **Revealing the Cards:**
* When someone calls “Bullshit!” the player who played the cards must reveal them. This means flipping the cards face up so everyone can see what they actually are.
5. **Determining the Penalty:**
* **If the player WAS lying (i.e., the cards are NOT the rank they claimed):** The player who lied must pick up the entire discard pile and add it to their hand.
* **If the player WAS telling the truth (i.e., the cards ARE the rank they claimed):** The player who called “Bullshit!” must pick up the entire discard pile and add it to their hand.
* The discard pile is then reset, and the player who correctly identified the liar or the player who was falsely accused starts the next round, playing the next card in sequence. If the player who starts the next round just picked up the discard pile, it can often be an advantage to them, as other players are weary of calling bullshit on them after the player has just acquired all the cards in the discard pile.
6. **Winning the Game:**
* The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the game. They can get rid of their last card by either legitimately playing the card or by successfully bluffing.
* It is important to note that a player cannot call ‘bullshit’ on a player who has played their last card(s) and has none remaining in their hand. The player successfully gets rid of their cards and wins the game.
## Strategies for Playing Bullshit
Bullshit is a game of strategy and deception. Here are some tips to help you improve your game:
* **Master the Art of Bluffing:** Bluffing is essential to winning Bullshit. Don’t be afraid to lie about the cards you’re playing, especially when you have a weak hand. However, don’t bluff too often, or players will catch on.
* **Vary Your Play:** Mix up your strategies. Sometimes tell the truth, sometimes lie. This will make it harder for other players to read you.
* **Pay Attention to Other Players:** Observe other players’ behavior. Are they hesitant when they play cards? Do they avoid eye contact? These could be signs that they are bluffing.
* **Keep Track of Played Cards:** Try to remember which cards have already been played. This will give you an idea of what cards other players are likely to have, and whether they are bluffing.
* **Manage Your Hand:** Try to get rid of your high-value cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings) early in the game. These cards are less likely to be called for later, making it harder to get rid of them.
* **Strategic Calling:** Don’t call Bullshit every time you suspect someone is lying. Sometimes it’s better to let a small bluff slide, especially if you have a good hand and want to keep the discard pile small.
* **The Art of the Small Lie:** A small lie can be more effective than a big one. For example, if you have one Two, claim you have two. It’s less likely to be called than claiming you have four when you have none.
* **Observe Betting Patterns:** Notice how many cards other players are playing when it’s their turn. Players with more cards in their hand might play fewer cards at a time, while players trying to get rid of their last few cards might risk claiming a higher number.
## Variations of Bullshit
There are many variations of Bullshit, adding extra layers of complexity and excitement. Here are a few popular ones:
* **Varied Starting Rank:** Instead of always starting with Aces, you can change the starting rank each game. This keeps things fresh and forces players to adapt their strategies.
* **Double Deck:** Using two decks of cards allows for larger groups and more frequent bluffing opportunities. It also makes it more likely that someone will legitimately have multiple cards of the same rank.
* **Reverse Sequence:** Instead of following the standard Ace-King sequence, you can reverse it, going from King down to Ace. This can throw players off and create new bluffing opportunities.
* **Wild Cards:** Designate a specific card (e.g., Jokers, Twos) as a wild card. Wild cards can represent any rank, making it easier to bluff and get rid of unwanted cards.
* **Pass Option:** Allow players to pass their turn if they don’t want to play a card. This can be useful if you have a bad hand or suspect other players are setting you up for a Bullshit call.
* **The ‘No Look’ Variation:** After a card or set of cards is placed down, players can call ‘Bullshit’ before the next person plays or passes. The game stops at this point, the cards are revealed, and the penalty is assigned. This variation adds a faster pace and more immediate risk.
* **Progressive Bullshit:** In this variation, the player who called ‘Bullshit’ has to guess how many cards the other player lied about. For example, if the player claimed to put down three kings and someone calls ‘Bullshit’, they then have to state how many cards they believe are *not* kings. If they are correct, the liar takes the discard pile. If they are incorrect, the caller takes the pile. This adds a layer of strategic guessing.
* **Calling on the Last Card:** Some variations don’t allow you to call Bullshit on someone’s last card. This creates a final, potentially dramatic bluffing opportunity for a player to win.
* **Joker Addition:** Adding Jokers to the deck as wild cards significantly increases the potential for bluffing and adds a new layer of unpredictability. Players can use Jokers to represent any rank, but revealing a Joker when called out on Bullshit is an immediate penalty.
* **Cumulative Penalty:** Instead of just picking up the discard pile, a player caught lying must also draw an additional number of cards from the deck, increasing the penalty for getting caught and making bluffing a higher-stakes gamble.
## Advanced Strategies
* **Reading Tells:** Pay close attention to other players’ body language and verbal cues. Hesitation, nervous laughter, or avoiding eye contact can be signs of a bluff. However, skilled bluffer can also use reverse psychology, acting nervous when they are telling the truth and confident when they are lying.
* **Card Counting (Sort Of):** While you can’t perfectly count cards like in Blackjack, try to keep a rough mental note of what cards have been played, especially high-value cards and any specific cards other players desperately need to get rid of. This information can inform your decisions on when to call Bullshit and what to claim when it’s your turn.
* **Manipulating the Pile:** If you’re forced to pick up the discard pile, quickly analyze it to gain information. Note the quantities of different card ranks to inform your future bluffs and calls.
* **The ‘Desperation Play’:** If you are down to your last few cards, consider making a bold, high-stakes bluff. Even if you get caught, it might force another player to pick up a large pile of cards, giving you a better chance of winning in the long run.
* **Team Play (Unofficial):** In casual games with friends, subtle non-verbal communication (winks, coughs, etc.) can be used to signal to a teammate whether or not to call Bullshit on another player. This is, of course, a form of cheating, but can be fun in a lighthearted setting.
## Etiquette and Fair Play
* **No Collusion:** Don’t team up with other players to target a specific person. This is unsportsmanlike and ruins the fun for everyone.
* **Be Honest (Except When Bluffing):** Don’t try to cheat in ways other than bluffing. This includes hiding cards, miscounting cards, or manipulating the deck.
* **Be a Good Sport:** Whether you win or lose, be gracious and congratulate the winner. Remember, it’s just a game.
* **Avoid Slow Play:** Take your turns in a timely manner. Slow play can bore other players and disrupt the flow of the game.
* **Clearly Announce Your Actions:** State clearly how many cards you are playing and what rank they are supposed to be. This prevents confusion and misunderstandings.
## Why Bullshit is a Great Game
Bullshit is a fantastic card game for several reasons:
* **Easy to Learn:** The basic rules are simple and straightforward, making it accessible to players of all ages.
* **Strategic Depth:** While the rules are simple, the game offers a surprising amount of strategic depth. Players must think carefully about when to bluff, when to call Bullshit, and how to manage their hand.
* **Social Interaction:** Bullshit is a highly interactive game, encouraging communication, observation, and social deduction.
* **Excitement and Suspense:** The constant threat of being called out on a lie creates a thrilling and suspenseful atmosphere.
* **Adaptable:** The many variations of Bullshit allow you to customize the game to your preferences and keep it fresh and exciting.
## Conclusion
Bullshit is a timeless card game that combines luck, strategy, and deception. Whether you’re playing with friends, family, or strangers, it’s sure to provide hours of entertainment. By mastering the rules, strategies, and variations outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Bullshit champion. So gather your cards, sharpen your bluffing skills, and get ready to outsmart your opponents in this exciting game of deception!