How to Play Speed Card Game with 2 Players

Speed is a two-player card game where nobody takes turns. Both players slap cards down as fast as they can, and the first to run out wins. A hand lasts a couple of minutes, and you will want to play again immediately.

Setup

Use one standard 52-card deck, no jokers. Sit facing each other.

1. Deal each player 20 cards face down. Each player takes the top 5 as their hand and keeps the other 15 as their personal draw pile.
2. Between you, deal two side piles of 5 cards each, face down, one on each side.
3. Put two cards face down in the middle, side by side. These start the two play piles.

That accounts for all 52 cards.

Playing

1. Together, say "speed" and both turn over one of the middle cards.
2. Now play as fast as you can, both at once. You can put a card on either middle pile if it is one higher or one lower than the top card. Suit does not matter.
3. You may only use one hand to play cards.
4. Keep five cards in your hand: whenever you play one, draw a replacement from your own draw pile. Never hold more than five.

When you are both stuck

If neither player can play, you both take the top card of the side pile nearest you and, at the same moment, flip it onto the middle piles. Play on.

If the side piles run out, gather the middle piles (except the top cards), shuffle them, and deal new side piles.

Winning

The first player to get rid of every card — hand and draw pile — and slap the middle wins the round.

Many play several rounds and count the cards left in the loser's hand and pile as points.

Speed with 3 or 4 players

Speed is built for two, but it stretches. With 3 or 4 players, shuffle two decks together, deal each player the same number of cards (about 20, with 5 in the hand), and put four play piles in the middle instead of two. Everyone plays on any pile. It becomes chaotic quickly — which is the point.

Speed versus Spit

Speed is often confused with Spit. Both are two-player racing games, but Spit uses a solitaire-style layout of five stockpiles where Speed uses a hand of five cards. If you like one, try the other.

Tips

• Look two moves ahead. If the middle shows a 9 and you hold an 8 and a 7, play the 8, then the 7.
• Watch both piles. Beginners stare at one.
• Play the card your opponent needs — it blocks them while helping you.

Speed is the hardest game there is on a deck. Cards get bent, slapped and swept onto the floor. Plastic cards spring back.