Buckle up, because we’re diving headfirst into the wildly popular card game of deception, better known as Bullshit (or Cheat, I Doubt It, Bluff – it has more aliases than a spy!). This shedding card game is all about playing your cards close to your chest… even if those cards are complete fabrications. Your goal: ditch all your cards before anyone else, even if it means bending the truth a little (or a lot). This guide will arm you with the rules, the strategies, and the poker face you’ll need to become a master of Bullshit.
I. Bullshit Rules
Ready to dive into a card game where lying is not only allowed but encouraged? Bullshit, also known as Cheat or I Doubt It, is easy to learn but tough to master. Here’s how to play:
The Setup
Grab a standard 52-card deck (we’ll deal with Jokers later). Three to six players is ideal, but larger groups work – expect more chaos with more players. Deal the entire deck evenly. Don’t sweat a slightly uneven card count; it won’t break the game.
Gameplay
- The First Liar: Choose a starting player (maybe the dealer or someone who looks particularly untrustworthy). They play one or more Aces face-down, announcing their play.
- Ascending Deception: The game progresses in ascending order, cycling from Ace to King and back to Ace. Each player, in turn, plays the next rank, announcing their cards whether they have them or not.
- Calling Bullshit: If a player suspects a lie, they yell “Bullshit!” before the next player’s turn.
- Caught: If the challenged player lied, they take the entire discard pile.
- Truth Prevails: If the challenged player was telling the truth, the challenger takes the discard pile.
- Victory is Sweet (and Dishonest): The first player to empty their hand wins! Pro Tip: Play it cool with your last card. Nobody likes a gloating liar.
II. Strategic Bluffing
Ready to become a Bullshit king or queen? It takes more than just knowing the rules – you need to master the art of deception. Here are some strategies to elevate your bluffing game:
1. The Sandwich Bluff
Ever heard the saying, ‘Hide a lie between two truths’? In Bullshit, it’s all about the sandwich bluff. If you absolutely HAVE to get rid of a few risky cards, sandwich them between ones that actually match the called rank. For example, if it’s Kings, put down a King, then those two pesky Queens, and then another King. It’s sneakier than a cat in a sock drawer.
2. The Bluff-and-Call Combo
Feeling bold? Try this devious maneuver. Bluff a rank, and then immediately call ‘Bullshit!’ on the next player. This works best if you have a good sense of what cards are left. It’ll throw everyone off guard, and even if you’re wrong, you’ll come across as a fearless (if slightly unhinged) Bullshit player.
3. The “Who’s Counting Anyway?” Bluff
Late-game chaos is your friend. As the discard pile grows, memories fade. Take advantage with bolder, higher-count bluffs. Nobody will remember if it’s three Jacks or five by then.
4. The Sympathy Bluff
After a few bad “Bullshit!” calls, milk your misfortune. Act defeated, bemoaning your luck before casually dropping a massive bluff. People might believe you out of pity.
5. The Empty Hand Bluff (High Risk, High Reward)
Down to your last card? Instead of subtlety, go big! Make a show of counting multiple cards, groan dramatically, and declare a grand slam… that doesn’t exist. Risky, but legendary if it works.
6. The Bigger the Lie, the More Believable It Can Be
If everyone is playing it safe with small bluffs, try going all-in with a ridiculous hand. They’ll be so shocked, they might just believe you.
7. The Art of the Misdirect
Your words are weapons too. Sound annoyed while bluffing a low card, as if you’re stuck with it. Downplay a strong hand to lull your opponents into a false sense of security.
III. Mastering the “Call”: Spotting a Liar
Calling “Bullshit” effectively is an art form in itself. It’s like being a detective at a poker table, except instead of a magnifying glass, you’ve got your gut feeling and a maybe a few mental calculations swirling around.
1. Behavioral Tells
The Shifty Eyes Tell: Ever noticed how someone’s eyes dart around when they’re trying to pull a fast one? If a player avoids eye contact or stares intently at the discard pile while proclaiming they’ve got four Queens, it might be time to raise an eyebrow (and your voice to shout ‘Bullshit!’).
The Nervous Tick Tell: Some people have unconscious physical tells when they lie. Watch for fidgeting, tapping fingers, or sudden changes in posture. It’s amazing what those nervous habits can reveal.
The Overconfident Tell: Beware the player who’s a little too smooth, a little too confident. Sometimes, the most outrageous bluffs are delivered with a smirk and a swagger. Trust your gut – if it feels too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Probability Calculations
The Early Game Gamble: Early in the game, the odds of someone holding a full set of a particular card are slim. If someone drops four Jacks on the second round, you have a higher probability of being right by calling ‘Bullshit!’
The Disappearing Act: Pay attention to the discard pile. If three Queens have already been played, and someone claims to have the fourth, well, you do the math. A well-timed ‘Bullshit!’ could win you the game.
3. Strategic Calling Techniques
The Power Play Call: Is there a player who’s been on a roll, racking up wins and oozing confidence? Calling them out on a bluff, even if you’re not 100% certain, can shake their confidence and disrupt their game. It’s a risky move, but sometimes a little psychological warfare can pay off.
The Information Gathering Call: Not sure if someone’s bluffing? Calling ‘Bullshit!’ can be a strategic way to gather information. If they were telling the truth, you’ll know to be wary of that card rank in the future. And if they were lying? Well, you just added a pile of cards to your hand – a win-win in my book!
IV. Bullshit Card Game Variations
Mastered classic Bullshit? Time to get wild with some game-changing variations:
Joker Chaos: Add Jokers as wildcards! They can represent any card, opening the door to even more outrageous bluffing possibilities.
Double (or Triple) the Decks: For larger groups, add extra decks. It increases game length, adds to the mayhem, and makes card tracking near impossible.
Reverse the Order: Who says Aces come first? Play in descending order (King down to Ace) for a fun twist.
Player’s Choice: Get really wild! Let each player decide the rank order for their turn.
House Rules: Bullshit is your oyster! Add some house rules for extra fun:
- Silent But Deadly: Implement a “no talking” rule during gameplay. Poker faces only!
- The “Bullshit” Trophy: Award a coveted prize (a silly hat, a special deck of cards) to the winner. Bragging rights are sweeter with a trophy!
- Bullshit Bingo: Create cards with squares like “Four-of-a-Kind Bluff” or “Double Caught Lying.” The first to complete a row wins!
