Egyptian Ratscrew, also known as Egyptian War, is a high-speed and competitive two-player card game. The objective is to win your opponent's cards by slapping the center pile when certain conditions are met.
Setup:
- Use a standard 52-card deck for Egyptian Ratscrew.
- Shuffle the deck and deal the entire deck evenly between the two players. Each player should have their own stack of cards.
Objective:
- The goal is to win all the cards by slapping the center pile when specific conditions, known as "slap rules," are met.
Round Play:
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Players take turns playing one card at a time, starting with the player to the dealer's left.
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Cards are played to the center pile, one on top of the other.
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Slap rules trigger when certain card combinations are played:
- Doubles: When two cards of the same rank are played in succession, the first player to slap the center pile wins the entire pile.
- Sandwiches: When a card of one rank is played between two cards of another rank (e.g., 5-7-5), the player who slaps the pile first wins the pile.
- Top and Bottom: If a player plays a card that is the same rank as the card on top of the center pile, the first player to slap the pile wins.
- Four in a Row: If a player plays a card that completes a sequence of four in a row (e.g., 3-4-5-6), the first player to slap the pile wins.
- Marriage: When a King and Queen of any suit are played in succession (e.g., Q-K), the first player to slap the pile wins.
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The player who wins the center pile gains control of the cards and adds them to their stack.
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If a player slaps incorrectly (when no slap rule applies) or is not the first to slap in a valid situation, they must give their opponent one card from their stack.
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Play continues with players taking turns playing cards and slapping the pile when applicable.
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The game continues until one player has collected all the cards.
Winning:
- The game is won by the player who collects all the cards.
Tips:
- Pay close attention to the cards being played to spot potential slap opportunities.
- Be quick with your reflexes when slapping the center pile to win.
- Familiarize yourself with the different slap rules to gain an advantage in the game.
Egyptian Ratscrew is a fast and competitive card game that tests your reflexes and quick thinking. It's a game where anticipation and speedy reactions can make all the difference in winning your opponent's cards.