Speed, also known as Spit or Slam, is an exhilarating and rapid-fire card game designed for two players. Known for its fast pace, Speed challenges your reflexes and card-playing skills. It’s so fast, in fact, that playing with physical cards can sometimes lead to wear and tear – which is why digital versions are a great way to enjoy this game without damaging your deck! Speed belongs to the shedding family of card games, where the objective is to be the first to get rid of all your cards. It shares similarities with other games like Nertz, and if you’ve enjoyed Spit or Slam before, you’ll find Speed instantly engaging.
Objective of Speed
The primary goal in Speed is simple: be the first player to play all of your cards from your hand and draw pile. It’s a race against your opponent and the clock!
Game Setup
To get started with a game of Speed, you’ll need a standard 52-card deck. Here’s how to set up the game:
- Dealing Hands: Each player is dealt five cards face down, which forms their initial hand.
- Draw Piles: Each player then receives 15 cards dealt face down, creating their personal draw pile. In some variations, especially when using jokers as wild cards, each draw pile might contain 16 cards.
- Replacement Piles: Between the two players, create two replacement piles, each consisting of five cards dealt face down. Place these on each side of the center playing area.
- Play Piles: Finally, place two cards face down in the very center between the replacement piles. These will become the starting play piles.
Gameplay – How to Play Speed
Once the setup is complete, the fast-paced action begins:
- Starting the Game: At the start of the round, players flip over the two center cards to start the “play piles”.
- Playing Cards: Players use cards from their hand to play onto either of the two play piles in the center. A card can be played if it is one rank higher or lower than the top card of a play pile, regardless of suit.
- For example, if a play pile has a 5 on top, you can play a 4 or a 6 on it.
- Face cards and Aces follow sequence: …Queen, King, Ace, 2, 3… Meaning a Queen can be played on a King or a Jack, and a 2 can be played on an Ace or a 3. Aces are considered as having a value of 1 in this context.
- Fast Reactions & Blocking: Speed is all about quick reactions. You can play on either of the center piles. If you spot a valid play before your opponent, you can “block” them by placing your card first.
- Refilling Your Hand: You always need to maintain five cards in your hand, if possible. As you play cards from your hand onto the play piles, immediately draw new cards from your draw pile to refill your hand back to five. If your draw pile runs out, you play with whatever cards you have left in your hand.
- Replacement Piles in Play: If neither player can make a move on either of the play piles, both players simultaneously flip over the top card from their replacement piles onto the respective play piles next to them. These new cards then become available to play on. If a replacement pile runs out, no more replacement cards are available.
- Winning the Round: The first player to play all the cards from their hand and their draw pile wins the round!
Speed is a game that tests your reflexes, card recognition, and ability to think fast under pressure. If you enjoy other card games like Gin Rummy, Spades, Euchre, Pinochle, Cribbage, Nertz, or Solitaire, you’ll likely find Speed to be a thrilling and addictive addition to your game repertoire. Give it a try and experience the rush of this fast-paced card game!
