Picture this: a lively room filled with laughter, playful banter, and the rhythmic slapping of cards. Welcome to the thrilling world of Egyptian Rat Screw, a game that combines quick reflexes, cunning strategy, and an insatiable desire to outsmart your opponents. As you sit down at the table, the tension is palpable. Your heart races with anticipation as you prepare to navigate the unpredictable twists and turns that lie ahead. Each hand is a battleground, where you must outmaneuver your rivals, seize control of the cards, and emerge victorious.
At its core, Egyptian Rat Screw is a fast-paced, two-player card game that requires lightning-fast reflexes and a keen eye. It’s a game where every move counts and the slightest hesitation can spell defeat. The objective is simple: to be the first player to get rid of all your cards. However, the path to victory is anything but straightforward. As you and your opponent take turns playing cards, you must be prepared for a whirlwind of unexpected challenges and clever maneuvers. From the classic “sandwich” move to the dreaded “rat screw,” each card played has the potential to shift the balance of power and leave your opponent scrambling to catch up. The game’s fast-paced nature demands your full attention, as you must constantly adapt your strategy to outsmart your rival and stay one step ahead.
But Egyptian Rat Screw is more than just a game of speed and strategy. It’s a social experience that fosters laughter, camaraderie, and a healthy dose of friendly rivalry. As you engage in the back-and-forth banter and the playful teasing that accompanies each game, you’ll find yourself forming bonds with your fellow players. The game’s infectious energy and the shared excitement of outwitting your opponents create a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a seasoned card shark or a first-time player, Egyptian Rat Screw promises hours of entertainment and the thrill of victory
Shuffle and Deal the Deck
Begin by thoroughly shuffling the deck to ensure randomness. This is crucial to prevent predictable patterns and enhance the game’s excitement.
Once the deck is shuffled, determine who will deal the first hand. This can be done through random selection or by having the youngest player deal first. The dealer then distributes the cards face down to each player, one card at a time. The number of cards dealt to each player varies depending on the number of participants.
In a two-player game, each player receives 26 cards. For three players, they get 17 cards each. In a four-player game, each player receives 13 cards. And so on. It’s essential to ensure that every player has an equal number of cards.
After dealing the cards, place the remaining deck face down in the center of the playing surface. This deck serves as the “draw pile” from which players can replenish their hands as needed during the game.
Determine the “Slap Card”
The “slap card” is the key element in Egyptian Rat Screw, as it triggers the fast-paced slapping action. To determine the slap card, two methods are commonly used:
Method 1: Ace of Spades
In this method, the Ace of Spades is designated as the slap card. This is a straightforward approach, as the Ace of Spades is a recognizable and distinct card in any standard deck of cards.
Method 2: Random Card
The second method involves randomly selecting a slap card at the beginning of the game. To do this, shuffle the deck thoroughly and deal one card face up on the table. The card that is dealt becomes the slap card. This method adds an element of surprise and unpredictability to the game.
Choosing the Best Method
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Spades | Easy to remember and identify | May become predictable over time |
| Random Card | Adds an element of surprise | Can lead to arguments if players disagree on the slap card |
Ultimately, the choice of method depends on the players’ preferences and whether they prefer a more strategic or unpredictable game.
Decide the Number of Cards to Play
The number of cards played in Egyptian Rat Screw can vary depending on the number of players and the desired length of the game. Here’s a guide to choosing an appropriate number of cards:
3-4 Players
For 3-4 players, using half a deck (26 cards) is ideal. This allows for a balanced and exciting game without excessive stalemates or runaway victories.
Alternatively, you can use a full deck (52 cards) for a longer and more challenging game. However, with this many cards, it’s possible for games to become protracted and repetitive.
| Number of Players | Recommended Number of Cards |
|---|---|
| 3-4 | Half a deck (26 cards) |
| 3-4 | Full deck (52 cards) |
Start Playing
To initiate the game, the deck of cards is evenly distributed among the players, who then arrange their cards into a neat stack face down in front of them. The remaining cards are placed in a central pile in the middle of the playing area.
Card Matching
The aim of the game is to get rid of all your cards as quickly as possible. Players take turns flipping the top card of their stack face up onto the central pile. The player who flips a card matching the rank or suit of the previous card laid down by another player gets to slap the central pile first and takes all the cards from it. If two players slap the pile simultaneously, a “war” is declared, and they must each place three cards face down on the pile, followed by one face up.
Card Ranks and Suits
| Rank | Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 4 | 4 |
| 5 | 5 |
| 6 | 6 |
| 7 | 7 |
| 8 | 8 |
| 9 | 9 |
| 10 | 10 |
| Jack | 11 |
| Queen | 12 |
| King | 13 |
Cards of the same rank (e.g., two Aces) can be played on top of each other regardless of suit, and a card can also be played on a card of the same suit (e.g., a heart 4 on a diamond 4).
Slapping for Pairs
When two or more players place down cards with the same number, they must say “Slap!” as fast as they can. The first player to slap the deck wins all of the cards. The number of cards won can be multiples of the same number. For example, if two players both play a 6, the winner would get 12 cards. If three players all play a 9, the winner would get 27 cards.
There are a few special rules for slapping for pairs:
- If two or more players slap the deck at the same time, no one gets the cards.
- If a player slaps the deck and there is no pair, the player who slapped the deck must give two cards to the player who played the highest-numbered card.
- If a player slaps the deck and there is a pair, but the player who slapped the deck did not have one of the cards in the pair, the player who slapped the deck must give two cards to the player who did have one of the cards in the pair.
- If a player slaps the deck on a single card, the player who slapped the deck must put two cards in the penalty pile like the sandbagging rule.
- If a player slaps the deck and there is a pair of jacks, the player who slapped the deck wins the entire deck and the game is over.
The following table summarizes the rules for slapping for pairs:
| Number of Players | Cards Won |
|---|---|
| 2 | 12 |
| 3 | 27 |
| 4 | 48 |
| 5 | 75 |
| 6 | 108 |
| 7 | 147 |
| 8 | 192 |
| 9 | 243 |
| 10 | 300 |
Slapping for Triples
The game intensifies when a player slaps the table upon drawing a triple. This action signifies that any other player who also has a triple must slap the table immediately. The last player to do so forfeits cards and suffers a penalty. The number of cards lost depends on the value of the triple, as outlined below:
| Triple Value | Penalty |
|---|---|
| 6 | Lose all cards and receive a 10-card penalty |
| 9 | Lose all cards and receive a 5-card penalty |
| 12 | Lose all cards |
| Any Other Triple | Lose only the tripled cards |
When a 6 is slapped, the penalty is particularly severe: the offending player loses all their cards, and for each round that they cannot slap a 6 when it is played, they receive an additional 10-card penalty.
To avoid the slapping penalty, players can quickly grab a 6 card from the draw pile. If they successfully do so before anyone slaps the table, they are safe and evade the punishment.
Slapping for Quadruples
The most exciting part of Egyptian Rat Screw is when two players get a quadruple at the same time. It’s a sudden escalation of intensity, a battle for dominance that often ends in a slap. To win a quadruple slap, there are three key rules to remember:
1. Speed: The first player to slap the pile after the fourth card wins.
2. Authority: The player who slaps the pile with the highest-ranking card wins. Aces are the lowest, followed by 2s, 3s, and so on.
3. Uncontested: If the first player to slap the pile has the highest-ranking card, they win the pile uncontested. However, if another player also slaps the pile and has a card of equal or higher rank, a slap war ensues.
Slap Wars
Slap wars are intense exchanges where players repeatedly slap the pile as fast as they can. The goal is to get your hand on top of the pile and remain there until your opponent gives up. During a slap war, the following rules apply:
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Hand-over-hand | Players must place their hands over the hands of their opponents. |
| No punching | Closed fists are not allowed. Players must slap with their palms open. |
| Slap duration | Players must keep slapping until their opponent removes their hand. |
Slap wars can be physically demanding, so it’s important to play them in a friendly and respectful manner. The goal is to have fun, not to injure your opponents.
Winning and Losing
Winning
In Egyptian Rat Screw, the goal is to be the first player to get rid of all their cards. The first player to do so is the winner.
Losing
The player who is left with all the cards is the loser.
8. Tying in Egyptian Rat Screw
It is possible to tie in Egyptian Rat Screw. This can happen when both players have the same number of cards left at the end of the game. In this case, the game is considered a draw and no one wins.
| Number of Cards | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 0 | Player 1 wins |
| 2 | Tie |
| 4 | Tie |
| 6 | Tie |
| 8 | Tie |
Variations of Egyptian Rat Screw
| Variation | Rules |
|---|---|
| Slaps | Players can choose to add a “slap” rule, where the loser of each round receives a light slap on the back of the hand. |
| Speed Rat Screw | Players play the game as fast as they can, and the first player to get rid of all their cards wins. |
| Double Rat Screw | When a player lays down a four-of-a-kind, they can call “double rat screw” and the loser of the next round loses two cards. |
| Go Fish Rat Screw | Players can ask for a specific card that they need, and if another player has it, they must give it up. |
| Reverse Rat Screw | Players play the game in reverse order, with the player who played the highest card in the previous round going first. |
| Trump Rat Screw | Players can designate a specific suit as the “trump” suit, which outranks all other suits. |
| Partners Rat Screw | Players play in teams of two, and the team that gets rid of all their cards first wins. |
| Elimination Rat Screw | The loser of each round is eliminated from the game, and the last player remaining wins. |
| Advanced Rat Screw | This variation incorporates multiple rules, such as slaps, speed, and double rat screw, to create a challenging and fast-paced game. |
9. Crazy Rat Screw
Crazy Rat Screw is a chaotic variation of the game where anything goes. Players can create their own rules, add in elements from other variations, or simply make up their own wild ideas. The goal is to have fun and create a unique and memorable experience. Some popular rules for Crazy Rat Screw include:
- Players can call “crazy” at any time, which means that all players must draw two cards from the deck.
- Players can slap the deck instead of a player, and the person who slaps the deck first wins the pile of cards.
- Players can make up their own gestures or phrases that indicate a rat screw, such as a secret handshake or a silly dance move.
- The game can be played with any number of players, and can even be played in teams.
- The game ends when one player gets rid of all their cards, or when the deck runs out of cards.
Etiquette and Tips
Etiquette:
1. Be respectful of your opponent, even if you are winning.
2. Don’t cheat or try to distract your opponent.
3. Don’t get upset if you lose.
4. Be a good sport and congratulate your opponent if they win.
Tips:
1. Practice makes perfect. The more you play, the better you will get.
2. Pay attention to your opponent’s strategy. This will help you anticipate their moves.
3. Be aggressive. The more cards you play, the more likely you are to win.
Advanced Tips:
1. If you have a lot of cards, try to get rid of them as quickly as possible.
2. If you have a few cards, try to save them for when you need them.
3. If you have a good hand, try to make sure your opponent doesn’t have a better hand.
Scoring:
The first player to get rid of all their cards wins. If both players have the same number of cards at the end of the game, the game is a draw.
| Number of Cards | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 | 10 |
| 2 | 20 |
| 3 | 30 |
| 4 | 40 |
| 5 | 50 |
| 6 | 60 |
| 7 | 70 |
| 8 | 80 |
| 9 | 90 |
| 10 | 100 |
How To Play Egyptian Rat Screw
Egyptian Rat Screw is a fast-paced and exciting card game that is perfect for a group of friends or family members. The game is easy to learn, but it can be challenging to master.
To play Egyptian Rat Screw, you will need a deck of cards and at least two players. The game can be played with more than two players, but it is most fun with a small group.
The goal of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of their cards. To do this, players must slap the discard pile when a card is played that matches the rank of the card on the bottom of the pile. If a player slaps the pile correctly, they get to take all of the cards in the pile as well as any cards that were played since the matching card was placed in the discard pile.
People Also Ask
Is Rat Screw played with a full deck of 52?
Yes, Egyptian Rat Screw is played with a full deck of 52 cards.
What happens when there is a tie?
If two or more players slap the discard pile at the same time, there is a tie. In this case, all of the players who tied must put two cards in the discard pile.
Can you play Egyptian rat screw with other game?
Yes, there are many card and dice games played under the name Egyptian Rat Screw. When printed on a standard deck of playing cards, they often contain additional or different rules.
