I Doubt It
Also known as: Cheat, BS, Bluff
Play cards face down and claim what they are. Call out lies or get stuck with cards.
What You'll Need
About This Game
Play cards face down and claim what they are. Call out lies or get stuck with cards.
How to Play
**Setup:** Deal entire deck evenly. Cards may be kept secret.
**Gameplay:**
- First player places 1-4 cards face down, claiming they're Aces
- Next player places cards claiming they're 2s, then 3s, etc.
- You must play, but you can lie about what you play
- Anyone can call "I doubt it!" before the next player goes
- If challenged and caught lying, liar takes the pile
- If challenged but telling truth, challenger takes the pile
**Winning:** First player to empty their hand wins.
History & Background
I Doubt It (also called Cheat, Bullshit, or Bluff) is a traditional bluffing game with origins lost to history. Similar games exist worldwide, suggesting independent parallel development.
The game's appeal lies in legitimizing deception - unlike most games where cheating is prohibited, here lying is fundamental. This role-reversal makes it exciting for children, who relish permitted rule-breaking.
I Doubt It became popular as a party game because it accommodates many players and generates memorable moments. The tension when someone decides to call "I Doubt It" creates natural drama.
The game teaches children about bluffing, probability, and reading people - skills useful beyond cards. Many players fondly remember it as one of their first experiences with strategic deception in games.