How to Play
Sh*thead
Here's the ultimate guide to the world's favourite card game.
How to deal
Deal 3 cards to each player face-down. No peeking! You should only see the back of the cards.
Deal 3 cards face-up directly on top of those blind cards.
Deal 3 cards to each player's hand. Players can pick these up.
Before playing, every player can swap cards from their hand (that they just picked up) with their Face-Up cards. You want the most powerful cards face up on the table not in your hand!
Each player should now have 9 cards:
3 cards face down
3 cards face up (on top of those)
3 cards in their hand.
Place the remaining cards in the center, face down , as the 'draw' pile.
Once everyone is ready - the first person with a 3 in their hand that shouts “3” starts by playing that card. This card should appear face up next to the draw pile in the middle of the table. If no one has a 3, move to 4s, and so on. Now the game has begun. Play continues clockwise.
Very important: Every time a player places a card down, they must pick up from the draw pile to ensure all players always have at least 3 cards in hand.
There are 3 piles to distinguish between:
1 - The draw pile: This is the pile of cards remaining once all the cards have been dealt. This pile of cards gets put face down in the middle of the table. Players draw from here every time they play a card. When this pile runs out - simply carry on playing without picking up.
2 - The discard pile: this is the cards that are in play - it starts when the first card is played. It should be in the middle of the table next to the draw pile. When someone can't play. They have to pick up this whole pile.
3 - The burn pile: When someone closes a pack by playing all four suits of a card, or a joker, or a 10 for example. They take the whole 'discard pile' out of play into the burn pile. These cards are out of the game.
On Your Turn
Play a Card
You must play one or multiple card(s) equal to or higher than the top card. (e.g. if a 9 is down, you must play 9 or higher in numerical order). Keeping in mind that some power cards can be played out of numerical order.
Draw Back Up
When you play a card, pick one up from the draw pile immediately. (Until the draw pile runs out).
Can't Play?
If you cannot play (or choose not to), you must pick up the entire discard pile. Your turn then ends.
Rule of Fours
If 4 cards of the same rank are played consecutively (e.g. four 7s), the pile is burned (removed). The player gets another turn. For example if someone plays two 6's and you have the other two, you can play them at any point in time and burn the entire discard pile.
Note: Anyone can complete a set of 4 out of turn to burn the pile!
Order of play
"Play in order" - Some cards say 'play in order' - This means numerical order. In this game 3 is the lowest and Ace is the highest. For eg. a 3 cannot be played on a 6. But a 6 can be played on a 6, and a 6 can be played on a 3.
"Play Anytime" - Means the card can be played on any card (numerical order doesn't apply).
EXCEPT ON A JOKER. Nothing can beat a Joker.
Power Cards
Tap to flip and reveal the card.
Nominate any player (or yourself). They must play a 2, 5, Ace or Joker on the Ace - or pick up the discard pile.
Nominate yourself if you don’t mind picking up.
This card resets - any card can be played on top of it, and you play again immediately.
A good time to dump your low cards.
Five is glass - the next player must play on the card underneath the five.
E.g. a 5 on a 7 means the next player still needs a lower card.
Play a 7 in numerical order (on a 2-7 only).
Next player may only play a card lower than or equal to 7 - including a 2 or 5.
Power 1: Skips the next player (or you go again in a 2-player game).
Power 2: Anyone can dump an 8 out of turn on top of an 8 - order of play stays the same.
Play a 10 in order (on any card lower than 10). Burns the entire discard pile.
You play again immediately on the open table.
Switches direction of play. Two Queens at once cancel out - no change.
With only two players, nothing changes.
The most powerful card - beats everything. Only two in a pack.
Next player picks up the discard pile. A second Joker passes the penalty on.
Jokers get discarded after play. They don't go back in the game.
Non-Power Cards
Always played in numerical order. No consequences.
The Endgame
1. Draw Pile Runs Out
When the Draw Pile is empty and your hand is empty, the game changes.
2. Play Face-Up Cards
You must now play from your face-up cards that you haven't touched all game. You must play them one at a time, unless you happen to have two-of-a-kind, you can then play them both. If you can't play, you must pick up the discard pile.
3. Play Blind Cards
Once face-up cards are gone, flip one blind card over.
Valid play? You're safe.
Invalid? Pick up the discard pile!
4. Winning
IMPORTANT: When you play your second last card, before it touches down on the table, you must say "Shithead"! If you don't say it in time and another player calls it, you must pick up the entire discard pile.
Note: You must still leave your last face down card on the table until you have cleared the cards you just picked up.
Ready to stop arguing over house rules? Get the official dedicated deck with the rules printed on the power cards.