President Card Game - How to Play, Rules & Strategy

Introduction

If you are looking for a fast-paced, highly social card game that blends luck with strategy, the President card game is the perfect choice.

This trick-taking game challenges players to rise to the top and claim the title of President while avoiding the dreaded rank of Scum.

Here’s everything you need to know about this popular card game.

What is The President Card Game?

The President, also known as Landlord, Scum, Janitor, or other regional names, is a card game that can be played with 3 to 8 players. It is a shedding card game in which you get rid of your cards to become the president of that round.

The game is a Westernised version of the Chinese climbing card game such as Zheng Shangyou, Tien Len in Vietnam and the Japanese Daifugō.

Objective

The game aims to be the first player to discard all your cards. The first player to do so becomes the ‘President’, while the last player left with cards is the ‘Scum’. The game continues with each round following a social hierarchy based on the previous round’s outcome, where players get certain advantages or disadvantages depending on their rank.

Rules of The President Card Game

Players: 3 to 8. For more than 8 players, you can use multiple decks.

Deck: Anglo-American, 54 cards (including 2 Jokers).

Play Direction: Clockwise.

Card Hierarchy: Joker (highest) > Deuce (2) > Ace > King > … > 3 (lowest).

Playing Time: 5 to 15 minutes.

Roles in the Game

• President: The player who finishes first.
• Vice President: The player who finishes second.
• Neutral Players: Players who finish in the middle (depending on the number of players).
• Vice Scum: The player who finishes second to last.
• Scum: The player who finishes last.

How to Play The President Card Game

Card Distribution

Deal: The President (or Scum, depending on the variant) shuffles and deals all cards. Each player gets an equal number of cards.

Card Passing: After dealing, the Scum must give their two highest cards to the President, while the Vice-Scum gives their best card to the Vice President. The cards returned to the Scum should ideally be of lower value, but this is not a strict rule.

Gameplay

Leading and Following: Players take turns playing cards. The lead player plays one or more cards of the same rank. Subsequent players must match the number of cards with higher ranks or pass. The trick continues until all players pass.

Winning a Trick: The player who plays the highest card(s) wins the trick and leads the next one.

Clearing the Deck: If no player can beat the current hand, the trick ‘clears’ to the player who last played. Special cards (like 2s or Jokers) automatically clear the deck in some variants.

Quick Clears: Some rules allow players to complete and clear the deck by playing all the cards of a set, even if it is not their turn.

Card Terms

• Single: One card played alone.
• Double (Dub): A pair of cards of the same rank.
• Triple (Trips): Three cards of the same rank.
• Quadruple (Quads): Four cards of the same rank.
• Bomb: A powerful card or combination of cards that can beat any other combination.
• Kicker: A single card played with a four-of-a-kind to enhance its power.
• Laser: Having all four 2s in hand.

Ending the Round

Out of Cards: When players get rid of all their cards, they are out for the rest of the round. The remaining players continue to play to determine their ranks.

Determining Titles: After the round ends, titles are assigned based on card counts or remaining cards.

Seating and Dealing for Next Round

Rearranging: Players rearrange to reflect their new roles after determining the ranks. The President deals with the next round.

Starting the Round: The player with the 3 diamonds typically starts the first round. In subsequent rounds, the President leads the first trick.

End of round 1

The first player to discard all their cards wins the round and stops playing for the rest. The other players decide the second and third positions. In other variations, the ranks are based on who gets rid of their cards first. In other variations, player count their remaining cards and decide the points.

Some variations also demand players to change their seats with the president, and the president starts the next round.

President's Choice and trading

Here are some president’s choices and trading:

• The president gives two cards to the player with the lowest card, called the Scum.
• In return, the Scrum gives back their two best cards.
• Similarly, the vice president gives two cards to the vice scum, and in return, the vice scum gives two cards to the vice president.
• Sometimes, the president may allow open trading, where players can trade with anyone. This happens when the president has a weak hand and wants to improve it.
• If the Scum has no picture card, the cards can be reshuffled and dealt again.

Variations of The President Card Game

Big Two Variation

• This game is popular in East Asia and similar to President's but uses poker-like combinations.
• Players can play single cards, pairs, or poker hands (like straights or full houses). The goal is still to get rid of your cards first.

Canadian Variation

• The scum doesn’t give any cards to the President at the start of the next round.
• Jokers may be included as wild cards or highest cards.

Japanese Daifugō

• In Japan, this version of the President is called Daifugō.
• It has more rules regarding card combinations, including straights, pairs, triples, and a unique ranking of cards.
• Special cards like 3 of Spades and Jokers have specific powers, such as resetting the pile or skipping turns.

Korean Ranking Game

• Players can play sequences of cards (straights) or full sets (e.g., pairs, triples).
• It is often more strategic with additional rules, such as ‘revolution’, where certain card combinations reverse the order of card rankings.

American ‘Kings’ Version

• The scum has to deal cards and refill drinks if the game is part of a drinking game variation.
• Players can impose additional rules, like requiring the Asshole to perform certain actions like passing cards blindly.

Chinese Version

• This game has strict rules on the types of card combinations (singles, pairs, triples, etc.) that can be played.
• Certain combinations like four-of-a-kind or straight flush can ‘bomb’ the pile, allowing a player to play out of turn.

Scandinavian Variation

• Uses a simplified deck (typically with cards from 3 to Ace) and does not use card swapping between the President and Scum.
• The game focuses on quick gameplay with little interaction between players.

Vietnamese Tien Len

• Also known as ‘13’, this game is played with a full deck and involves playing single cards, pairs, or straights.
• The game includes bombs (four of a kind or sequences) that can defeat any card in play, adding a layer of strategy.

Strategies to Win in The President Card Game

Here's a breakdown of strategies to increase your chances of winning:

Play High Cards Early

• Start by playing your highest cards early in the game, especially if you are not the President. This helps you avoid being left with them when the round ends.
• Hold on to your lower cards for when the other players start running out of cards so you can strategically play them later.

Save Pairs and Triples

• Combinations (pairs, triples) are powerful, allowing you to maintain control and prevent other players from playing singles.
• Having multiple pairs in hand lets you stay competitive when someone plays a pair.

Timing the 2’s

• The 2 cards have the highest rank and can reset the pile. Use it strategically to avoid getting stuck with low cards in your hand.
• Save it for situations where you are close to running out of cards and must control the game's flow.

Hold on to Low Cards for the End

• Keep some low cards for the endgame when other players have fewer options and higher cards may already be played.
• This helps you avoid losing control at the last moment.

Observe and Remember

• Pay attention to what cards have been played, especially high-value cards like Aces, Kings, and 2’s.
• Use this information to anticipate when you can gain control or when to hold back certain cards.

Adapt to the Player Hierarchy

• The ranks (President, Vice President, etc.) give advantages like exchanging cards. Use this to eliminate your worst cards if you're in a higher position.
• If you are in a lower position, try to disrupt the flow and strategically avoid letting the President gain control too easily.

Bluff When Needed

• Sometimes, it is useful to make your opponents think you have fewer or weaker cards than you do. Passing on a turn when you could play a card can make them misjudge your hand strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you play the President game?

In President, the goal is to be the first to play all your cards. Players take turns laying down cards of the same rank, and each subsequent play must be of equal or higher value. The first player to finish their cards becomes the President, while the last is designated as Scum.

What is the highest card in the President?

The highest card in the game is the 2. It can beat any other card or combination, giving the player who holds it a powerful advantage. However, 2s cannot be followed by a higher card, as they are the top-ranked card in the game.

What does a 2 do in the President card game?

In Presidents, a 2 is the highest card and can beat any play. When a player lays down a 2, it typically clears the pile, ending the current round of play. No other card can defeat a 2, making it a strong card to hold onto for critical moments when you want to take control of the game.

Can two people play president?

No. you need four people to play president.

What are the rules for the president?

In President, you win by discarding all your cards. The player plays cards higher than the previous one. The player who gets rid of their card first becomes the president, and the last one is Scum.

Conclusion

President is a fun card game that brings out the competitive spirit in everyone. With its easy-to-learn rules and shifting roles, each round offers a new chance to climb from Scum to President. With its quick rounds and varied play styles, President is perfect for any group looking for a lively and entertaining game.