Spit
An intense, rapid-fire card game similar to Speed. Players race to empty their stockpiles by playing cards onto central piles in sequential order.
What You'll Need
About This Game
An intense, rapid-fire card game similar to Speed. Players race to empty their stockpiles by playing cards onto central piles in sequential order.
How to Play
- Deal 26 cards to each player
- Each player creates 5 tableau piles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 cards)
- Only top cards of tableaus are playable
- Remaining cards form stockpile
- Say 'Spit!' and flip top stockpile card to center
- Play simultaneously on either center pile (one up or down)
- Move cards between tableaus following solitaire rules
- When both stuck, spit again
- Round ends when someone empties tableaus
- Winner takes smaller center pile; first to run out wins
Where to Buy
History & Background
War is one of the simplest and oldest card games, with roots tracing to 15th century Europe. Its exact origins are unknown, as it likely evolved from comparing cards in gambling games.
The game became popular as a children's game in the 19th century because it requires no skill or reading ability - even very young children can play. It has served as an introduction to playing cards for generations.
War has been played under many names across cultures: "Battle" in Britain, "Bettelmann" in Germany, and "Guerre" in France. The simplicity of the rules allowed it to spread easily across language barriers.
Despite being entirely luck-based, War remains popular for its nostalgic value and as a way to pass time. Mathematicians have studied the game's probability, finding that theoretical games could last indefinitely without modification (hence the rule about reshuffling captured cards).