Speed
Two players race to play cards one higher or one lower onto the middle piles. No turns, just speed.
the best bit: both of you slamming a 7 on the same 8 at the same instant
- Players
- 2
- Time
- 5–10 min
- Learn in
- A minute
- Mood
- Rowdy
- Format
- Everyone for themselves
The 30-second version
A two-player race with no turns. Both players play onto two piles in the middle at once, as long as each card is one higher or one lower than the card it covers. Keep refilling your hand from your own pile. First to run out of cards wins.
read this, then walk through the steps below once.
Grab these
Set up
- Deal each player 20 cards face down. Each player picks up five as their hand and keeps 15 as their draw pile.
- Deal two piles of five face down, one on each side of the middle. Put the last two cards face down in the middle, side by side.
How to play
-
Flip
Both players say "Speed!" and flip one middle card face up at the same time.
-
Play up or down
As fast as you can, play cards from your hand onto either middle pile if they're one higher or one lower. Aces connect to both kings and 2s.
-
Refill
Draw from your own pile so you always hold five, until it runs out.
-
Get unstuck
If neither of you can play, both flip the top card of a side pile onto the middle at the same time. If the side piles are gone, shuffle the middle piles to make new ones.
How to win
The first player to get rid of every card in their hand and draw pile wins.
From experience…
- Play with one hand. Two-handed Speed ends in scratches.
- Watch both middle piles at once. Most hesitation is staring at the wrong one.