How to Play Palace: The Ultimate Guide to Mastering the Game

Palace, also known as Karma, Shed, or Presidents, is a popular and engaging card game that combines strategy, luck, and social interaction. It’s a game where you aim to be the first player to get rid of all your cards, but with a twist: you have a set of face-down cards that you can only play once all your other cards are gone. This guide will provide you with comprehensive instructions on how to play Palace, along with tips and strategies to help you master the game.

## What You’ll Need

* A standard 52-card deck.
* 2-4 players (though the game can be adapted for more).
* A flat surface to play on.

## Objective of the Game

The primary goal in Palace is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards. This includes the initial hand, the face-up cards, and finally, the face-down cards. The order in which you get rid of your cards is crucial, as you can’t move on to the next set until the previous one is depleted.

## Setting Up the Game

1. **Dealing the Cards:**

* Each player is dealt three cards face down. These are the player’s ‘palace’ or ‘pyramid’ cards. Players are not allowed to look at these cards at this stage.
* Then, each player is dealt six cards face up. Players choose three of these cards to place on top of their face-down cards. The face-up cards must be placed on top of the face-down cards, so each face-down card has a face-up card covering it.
* Finally, each player receives three cards as their initial hand. These are kept secret from the other players.

2. **Arranging the Face-Up Cards:**

* Players should carefully choose which three of the initial six dealt cards they want to place face up on their palace cards. The strategy here is to choose cards that are likely to be useful later in the game, considering the special card values (explained below).

3. **Understanding Card Values:**

* Before starting to play, it’s important to understand the special card values that change the dynamics of the game. These values can vary based on house rules, but the most common are:

* **2:** Resets the pile, meaning any card can be played on top of it.
* **10:** Burns the pile, removing all cards from the play pile and starting a new one. The player who played the 10 gets to play again.
* **3:** Can be played on any card. The next player must play a card equal to or lower than the card beneath the 3.
* **7:** Forces the next player to play a card that is equal to or lower in value. This card provides a tactical advantage as it restricts your opponent’s options.
* Other cards are generally played in ascending order (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, J, Q, K, A). Some house rules assign special values to other cards, such as making 4s skip the next player.

## Playing the Game

1. **First Player:**

* The player with the lowest card in their hand starts the game. Generally, this is the 3. If multiple players have the same lowest card, compare the next lowest, and so on. This rule can be changed to state the player with the lowest black card goes first, adding another layer of strategy.

2. **Playing a Card:**

* The first player places a card face up in the center of the playing area, starting the discard pile. The next player must play a card that is equal to or higher in value than the top card of the discard pile, unless a special card is in play.
* If a player cannot play a card, they must pick up the entire discard pile and add it to their hand. This is obviously a significant setback, as it means they have more cards to get rid of.

3. **Special Card Actions:**

* **Playing a 2:** When a player plays a 2, the discard pile is essentially reset. The next player can play any card on top of the 2, regardless of the card beneath it.
* **Playing a 10:** Playing a 10 burns the pile. All the cards in the discard pile are removed from play. The player who played the 10 gets to play again, starting a new discard pile.
* **Playing a 3:** The next player must play a card equal to or lower than the card beneath the 3.
* **Playing a 7:** The next player must play a card that is equal to or lower in value. If they cannot, they pick up the pile.

4. **Multiple Card Plays:**

* If a player has multiple cards of the same value in their hand, they can play them all at once. For example, if a player has three 5s, they can play all three on top of the discard pile, provided the top card is of equal or lower value than 5. This allows you to get rid of cards more quickly and can change the game’s momentum.

5. **Refilling Your Hand:**

* After playing cards, players must always draw cards from the draw pile to maintain a hand of three cards (if possible). This ensures that players always have options and keeps the game moving. If the draw pile runs out, players continue playing with the cards they have in their hand.

6. **Moving to Face-Up Cards:**

* Once a player has no cards left in their hand, they can start playing their face-up cards. They can play these cards in the same manner as before, following the rules of card values and special cards.

7. **Moving to Face-Down Cards:**

* After a player has played all their face-up cards, they can finally start playing their face-down cards. These are played blindly, without the player knowing what card they are playing. If the card played is a valid play (equal to or higher than the previous card, unless a special card is in play), the game continues. If the card played is invalid, the player must pick up the entire discard pile and add it to their hand, and they must then replay a face-up card (if they have any) to return to playing their face-up cards before attempting the face-down cards again.

## Winning the Game

* The first player to get rid of all their cards – hand cards, face-up cards, and face-down cards – is the winner. The last player with cards remaining is often dubbed the “loser” or, less kindly, the “dealer” or “shithead,” depending on the house rules.

## Strategies and Tips for Success

1. **Strategic Card Placement:**

* Carefully consider which cards to place face up at the beginning of the game. Choosing strong cards like 10s, 2s, or cards that match frequently can give you an early advantage. However, also think about what cards you might need in your hand later.

2. **Conserving Special Cards:**

* Use your special cards wisely. Don’t waste a 10 early in the game if it’s not necessary. Save it for when the discard pile is large, or when you need to regain control of the game. Similarly, use 2s to reset the pile at strategic moments.

3. **Managing Your Hand:**

* Try to keep a balanced hand. Don’t hold onto too many low cards, but also don’t get rid of all your high cards too quickly. Adapt your strategy based on the cards being played and the number of cards remaining in the draw pile.

4. **Observing Opponents:**

* Pay attention to what cards your opponents are playing and how many cards they have left in their hand. This can give you clues about their strategy and the cards they might be holding. If an opponent is struggling to play, they may be holding onto special cards.

5. **Bluffing:**

* In some cases, it can be beneficial to bluff. For example, if you have a 7 and a few low cards, you might play the 7 even if you don’t have anything lower to follow it up with. This could force your opponent to pick up the pile and give you a temporary advantage.

6. **Exploiting 3s and 7s:**

* Use 3s to your advantage by strategically playing them over high cards to limit the next player’s options. Similarly, use 7s to force opponents to play lower cards, potentially leading them to pick up the pile.

7. **Anticipate Card Combinations:**

* Think ahead and anticipate potential card combinations. If you have two 6s, consider holding onto them until you can play them together. This can help you get rid of cards more quickly and avoid having to pick up the pile.

8. **Adaptive Play:**

* Be prepared to change your strategy as the game progresses. What works early in the game may not work later. Adjust your play based on the cards in your hand, the cards in the discard pile, and the actions of your opponents.

## Variations and House Rules

Palace is a game that is easily adapted to house rules. Here are some common variations:

1. **Card Values:**

* Some variations assign different values to the special cards. For example, 4s might be used to skip the next player, or Jacks could reverse the order of play.

2. **Burning the Pile:**

* Some rules require four consecutive cards of the same rank to burn the pile, rather than just a 10.

3. **Starting the Game:**

* Instead of the lowest card starting, some variations have the player with the 3 of diamonds starting the game.

4. **Picking Up the Pile:**

* Some variations require a player to pick up the pile even if they can legally play a card. This can be used as a strategic move to disrupt the game.

5. **Team Play:**

* In a team version, players can work together to help each other get rid of their cards. This adds a collaborative element to the game.

6. **Progressive Palace**

* A fun variant where, after each round, the ‘loser’ (last person remaining) must swap their best card with the winner’s worst. This introduces a handicap and keeps the game dynamic over multiple rounds.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. **Misunderstanding Card Values:**

* Ensure all players understand the special card values before starting the game. Misunderstanding these values can lead to incorrect plays and frustration.

2. **Playing Face-Down Cards Too Early:**

* Avoid rushing to play your face-down cards. Make sure you have exhausted all other options first. Playing a face-down card prematurely can result in having to pick up the entire discard pile.

3. **Ignoring Opponents:**

* Pay attention to what your opponents are doing. Ignoring their plays can lead to missed opportunities and strategic errors.

4. **Wasting Special Cards:**

* Don’t waste your special cards on trivial situations. Save them for when they can have a significant impact on the game.

5. **Forgetting to Refill Your Hand:**

* Always remember to refill your hand after playing cards. Forgetting to do so can put you at a disadvantage.

## Why Palace is a Great Game

Palace is a fantastic card game for several reasons:

1. **Strategic Depth:**

* The game combines elements of luck and strategy, making it engaging for players of all skill levels.

2. **Social Interaction:**

* Palace is a social game that encourages interaction and banter between players.

3. **Adaptability:**

* The game can be easily adapted to different house rules, making it customizable to suit your preferences.

4. **Accessibility:**

* All you need is a standard deck of cards, making it easy to play anytime, anywhere.

5. **Promotes Critical Thinking:**

* The game requires planning, adaptation, and an understanding of risk versus reward, thus sharpening the mind.

## Conclusion

Palace is a captivating card game that offers a blend of strategy, luck, and social fun. By understanding the rules, mastering the strategies, and adapting to the ever-changing dynamics of the game, you can increase your chances of becoming the ultimate Palace champion. Gather your friends, shuffle the deck, and prepare for an exciting and unpredictable game of Palace!