What Is Spit?
Spit — also called Speed or Slam — is one of the fastest card games ever invented. Both players play at the exact same time with no turns, no waiting, and no pausing. You race to play cards from your personal tableau onto two shared center piles, where cards must be one rank higher or lower than the top card. The player who empties their cards first wins. Reflexes, focus, and fast pattern recognition are everything.
What You Need
- One standard deck of 52 playing cards
- Exactly two players
- A sturdy flat surface — cards will be slapped down quickly
Setting Up the Game
- Split the deck exactly in half — 26 cards per player.
- Each player sets up their own layout in front of them. Deal four cards face-up in a row — these are your four tableau piles. Place remaining cards face-down in a stack to the side — this is your spit pile.
- Leave space in the center of the table for two shared center piles.
How to Play — Starting the Game
- Both players place their spit pile in front of them.
- Together, both players count ‘1, 2, 3 — Spit!’ and simultaneously flip the top card of their spit pile face-up into the center of the table, one card each. These two cards start the two center piles.
- Now both players play at the same time — no turns, no waiting.
Playing Cards — Both Players Simultaneously
On each of your four tableau piles, the top card is available to play. At any moment, you may move the top card of any tableau pile onto a center pile if it is exactly one rank higher OR one rank lower than the top card of that center pile. Suit does not matter — only rank.
Example: if one center pile shows a 7, you can play either a 6 or an 8 onto it. If that pile now shows a 6, you can play a 5 or a 7 next.
- Cards cycle: Ace can be played on a King or on a 2. Kings can be played on Queens or on Aces.
- Both players reach for the center piles at the same time — if you both want to play on the same pile, whoever gets their card there first wins that spot.
- After moving a card off a tableau pile, the card beneath it (if any) becomes the new top card and is available immediately.
Filling Empty Tableau Spots
When one of your four tableau piles is completely empty, you may move any single card from another tableau pile into that empty spot. You cannot move stacks — only one card at a time.
When Neither Player Can Move
If both players pause and neither can play any card onto either center pile, both players simultaneously say ‘Spit!’ and each flips the top card of their spit pile onto the existing center piles. Play resumes immediately.
Winning a Round
When a player empties all four of their tableau piles AND their spit pile, they slap one of the two center piles with their hand. The other player must take the remaining center pile. Whoever took fewer total cards won the round and will have an easier time next round.
Winning the Game
Keep playing rounds. A player wins when they have no cards at all left — no tableau cards and no spit pile. If a player only has spit pile cards remaining and no tableau, they play one card at a time face-up from their spit pile directly.
Tips for New Players
- Keep your eyes on BOTH center piles at all times — peripheral vision is essential.
- Play as fast as possible. Hesitation lets your opponent grab opportunities.
- Always fill empty tableau spots immediately — more available cards means more plays.