The Bullshit card game, sometimes called BS, I Doubt It, or Cheat, is a lively and fun card game that relies heavily on bluffing and keen observation. This game, known for its simplicity and social interaction, is all about getting rid of your cards by playing them face-down and hoping your opponents don’t call you out on your bluffs. You have to lie convincingly to succeed.
The game accommodates between 2 to 10 players, but the sweet spot is between 3 to 6 players for optimal fun. Unlike many traditional card games, Bullshit isnât about following strict bs card game rules; it’s rather about deceiving your opponents while avoiding being deceived yourself. Read about bullshit card game rules, setup, strategies, and how to play BS card game.
What is the Bullshit Card Game?
The BS card game is a classic bluffing card game where the primary goal is to be the first to get rid of all your cards. The game is called Bullshit because, in each round, players can lie about the cards they place down, and opponents can challenge their honesty by calling “Bullshit!” if they think a bluff is in play.
The gameâs challenge lies in balancing truth and deception. Tell the truth too often, and you might miss opportunities to shed extra cards; lie too frequently, and you risk getting caught.
Also known as the Cheat, Liar, or BS card game, this game is simple to learn but can get incredibly intense as it progresses. Success depends on your ability to keep a straight face, read other playersâ bluffs, and make the best of your hand. If youâre ready to learn how to play bullshit card game and win with a combination of strategy and luck, keep reading.
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Basic BS Card Game Rules
The Bullshit game is a delightful mix of luck, skill, and strategy. Itâs a game where quick thinking and observation can help you win but where the fun is often in the moments of hilarious bluffs and surprise come-from-behind victories. Whether youâre playing with family, friends, or new acquaintances, BS is guaranteed to keep everyone entertained.
Understanding the bullshit card game rules is key to enjoying the game. The following are the essential rules you need to follow:
- Order of Play: Choose a player to go first (often, the player with the Ace of Spades starts). The first player must play face-down cards, starting with Aces.
- Card Value Sequence: Players take turns placing cards in ascending order. For example, after Aces, the next player places Twos, then Threes, and so on.
- Announcing Your Move: When placing cards, you must declare the card’s rank out loud (e.g., âOne Aceâ or âThree Foursâ). Players are not required to tell the truth and can bluff about the rank of their cards.
- Calling Bullshit: If you suspect a player is lying, you can shout “Bullshit!” The challenged player must reveal the cards they just played. If they lied, they must pick up the entire discard pile. If they were truthful, the challenger picks up the pile instead.
- Winning the Game: The game continues until one player wins or has no cards left and is declared the winner.
How to Play Bullshit Card Game?
The BS card game is all about deception and strategies. It’s a simple game to learn, but mastering it requires understanding the BS card game rules, observing your opponents, and perfecting your poker face. The following is a step-by-step guide on how to play BS card game:
Setup
To set up the Bullshit card game, youâll need a standard 52-card deck, minus the jokers. Make sure to shuffle the deck thoroughly to mix up the cards. The goal is to ensure no one knows where any specific card might be.
The Deal
Once shuffled, deal out the cards evenly among all the players. Depending on the number of participants, some players might end up with one card more or less, but this doesnât significantly affect the gameplay.
Number of Players
Bullshit card game is best played with 3 to 6 players, though it can accommodate anywhere between 2 and 10 players. More players add to the excitement and the number of possible deceptions! If youâre playing with a large group of more than six, consider using a double deck instead of one to ensure enough played cards.
1. Choose the First Player
To start the Bullshit card game, select the first player. This can be done in various ways, such as by random choice, rolling a die, or selecting the person who holds the Ace of Spades. Once the first player is chosen, they will begin the game by playing the lowest card rank, usually starting with Aces (e.g., âone Aceâ or âtwo Acesâ). The game then moves clockwise, with each player following in sequence.
Having your cards organized is key to staying in control of the game. Arrange your cards strategically; you might want to put them in a specific order to make it easier when it’s your turn to play.
2. Playing a Card Face-Down
On their turn, each player will place one or more cards face-down in the center of the table. The cards are played in ascending order, starting from Ace, 2, 3, and so on, up to King. When placing cards, the player must verbally declare what they are discarding. For instance, if you put down two cards, you might say, “Two Aces.” The challenge? You might not have two Aces, but you can still say you do!
3. Bluffing and Truth-Telling
The key to the game is bluffing or not. If you donât have the right card to play, you can lie and play a different card while claiming it to be the correct one. The goal is to shed all your cards as quickly as possible, so lying strategically is crucial. You can also choose to play dumb in the game to avoid being caught lying.
4. Calling ‘Bullshit!’
If a player suspects that someone is bluffing, they can shout âBullshit!â The accused player must then flip over the cards they played. If caught lying, they must take the entire discard pile into their hands. If the call was wrong and the accused was truthful, the challenger who called “BS” must take the pile.
5. Playing in Sequence
Each turn must follow the card sequence. For example, if the previous player declared a âThree,â the next player must put down âFours,â and so on. However, if the pile is called and the player gets caught, the sequence doesnât reset; the game continues from where it left off.
6. Shedding Multiple Cards
Players can place more than one card at a time as long as they announce it. For example, if it’s time to play 7s, you can place down two 7s and declare âTwo 7s.â This increases the chance of not getting caught if you’re bluffing with other cards mixed in.
7. Game Flow and Winning
The game continues until one player successfully sheds all their cards, declaring them the winner. It’s common to bluff heavily when you are down to your last few cards, so be strategic. If no one calls Bullshit and you play your last card, you win the game.
8. Handling Disagreements
If players dispute the accuracy of the cards, remember the rule: cards must always be flipped to confirm if someone calls them “BS.” This keeps the game fair and prevents misunderstandings.
9. Ending the Game
The game ends when a player discards their final card without being caught in a lie. If a player successfully places their last card and no one calls “BS,” they are the winner. If caught bluffing on the final play card, the game continues until someone else sheds all their cards.
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Strategies for the Bullshit Card Game
When you know how to play Bullshit card game, it’s important to know strategies for better chances of winning. While Bullshit relies on luck, a few strategies can improve your chances:
1. Keep a Poker Face
A convincing lie is crucial. Maintain a steady demeanor whether youâre playing truthfully or bluffing. A good bluff often comes down to not giving away any tells!
2. Start with Low Stakes Bluffs
Donât risk everything early in the game. If youâre bluffing, start with small lies, like claiming one 4 instead of four 4s. Gradually increase the risk as the game progresses.
3. Call BS Wisely
Donât be too eager to call “Bullshit!” If youâre wrong, the consequences are severe, and youâll end up with a lot of cards. Be strategic and pay attention to players who hesitate or seem overly confident.
4. Watch for Patterns
Observing how other players play can offer clues. Some players might hesitate or play quickly when bluffing. Notice their patterns and use this information to your advantage.
5. Manage Your Hand
Keep track of the cards youâve seen played. If youâre unsure, remember that holding a good mix of high and low cards can be useful. Itâs often better to play truthfully if it means reducing the size of your hand.
Bullshit Card Game Variations
The BS card game has many variations to keep things interesting:
1. Two Decks
Use two decks if you have a large group (more than 6 players). This makes the game more challenging and allows for longer gameplay.
2. Descending Order
Instead of ascending order, play in descending order (starting from King down to Ace). This adds a twist to the usual gameplay.
3. High or Low Play
Allow players to play a card one rank higher or lower than the previous. This makes bluffing harder and adds more strategy to the game.
4. Drinking Game
Turn Bullshit into a drinking game by adding bullshit card game rules for taking sips or shots when certain conditions are met, like when you get caught in a lie.
FAQs
How do you play the BS card game?
The BS Card game is played with a regular deck of cards with 2 to 6 players. The main objective of the game is to get rid of all the cards in hand and claim the rank. All cards are played face down and declare a rank on the table. If you suspect someone is lying about their cards, then call âbullshitâ to reveal their cards.
What happens when you get to King in BS?
When players reach the king in progression, the play continues as usual. King is the next rank in the sequence of cards being played in the game. The player must declare they are playing kings, and other players can call âbullshitâ to challenge them to reveal their cards.
How many cards do you start with in BS?
In a 2 to 6-player BS game, we generally play with a standard deck of 52 cards. You can choose to play with Joker cards or without Joker cards.
What are BS rules?
The BS card game rules state some of the major rules of the game. Check some of them below.
- In a 2 to 4-player game, the game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards.
- Play continues in a clockwise direction.Â
- The game progresses in rank order, starting from Aces and then looping back to Aces.
- During the player’s turn, they must keep one or more cards face down on the table.
- Players can lie about their cards, and opponents can call âbullshitâ to reveal whether they have the cards or not.
- The first player to get rid of all their cards wins.
How do you win at BS?
To win at BS, players must discard all their cards. However, if the last card is challenged with âBS,â they must pick a pile if caught bluffing.
What is the objective of a BS card game?
The main goal of the BS Card game is to get rid of all the cards by playing them in a sequence while being truthful or bluffing. If you get caught, you must reveal cards on being called âBSâ in the game. If you are caught, you must pick up the pile.
What does BS stand for in card games?
The BS stands for Bullshit in the card game. It is played with a standard deck of 52 cards where players have to get rid of all their cards either by bluffing or telling the truth about holding cards.
Can you play BS with two people?
Yes, you can play a BS card game with two people. It can be played with 2 to 6 players. The main object of the game is to get rid of all cards in the hand. The player having ace of spades must go first, and then the game advances in a clockwise direction.
How many cards are in a hand in BS?
When there are 5-6 players in the game, each player plays with 6 cards each. Get rid of all your cards by placing them face down while declaring your card’s rank.
How to play bluff with 4 players?
Players call out the rank of the cards they are playing bullshit face down, and other opponents can challenge the game by calling âBSâ if they think it is a lie.