Spite & Malice
Race to empty your stockpile while strategically blocking your opponent in this tense two-player duel. Simple rules hide deep tactical play where every card choice matters.
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What You'll Need
About This Game
Also known as Skip-Bo's ancestor. Race to play out your personal stockpile onto shared foundation piles while blocking your opponent.
How to Play
Setup
- Use two standard decks (no jokers)
- Deal 20 cards face-down to each player as their "spite pile"
- Turn top card of spite pile face-up
- Deal 5 cards to each player as their hand
Gameplay
- Draw from stock to maintain 5 cards in hand
- Play cards to center piles (build 1-12, then remove pile)
- Cards come from: your hand, top of spite pile, or discard piles
- You may play to your 4 personal discard piles (any order)
- Turn ends when you discard to a personal pile
Center Piles
- Start new piles with a 1
- Build up sequentially (1,2,3...12)
- When a pile reaches 12, remove it and shuffle back in
Winning
- First player to empty their spite pile wins
- Hand cards and discard piles don't matter
Strategy
- Block opponent by not playing cards they need
- Manage your discard piles carefully
History & Background
Spite and Malice developed in the early 20th century as a competitive two-player solitaire variant. The game combines racing elements with strategic blocking, hence the colorful name.
The game became popular among couples and friends as a head-to-head challenge that used familiar solitaire mechanics but added direct competition.
Hasbro commercialized a variant as "Skip-Bo" in 1967, which uses a proprietary deck and simplified rules. Skip-Bo became hugely successful, but Spite and Malice purists prefer the standard deck version.
The game's appeal lies in its mixture of solitaire-style building with the ability to interfere with your opponent's progress. The title perfectly captures the experience - you take spiteful pleasure in blocking your opponent while they maliciously do the same to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play Spite & Malice with 2 players?
Yes! Spite & Malice is an excellent choice for 2 players — in fact, it's designed specifically for a duo. You'll get the full experience without any compromises.
How long does Spite & Malice take to play?
A typical game of Spite & Malice takes about 20-45 minutes. This can vary based on players' experience level and how quickly decisions are made.
What do you need to play Spite & Malice?
To play Spite & Malice, you need: Two standard 52-card decks. That's it — no special equipment required.
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