Spit Rules

Objective

Empty your stock pile before your opponent by firing cards onto the two center spit piles as fast as your hands can move. There are no turns here, no polite pauses — just pure, frantic speed. Spit rewards quick eyes, loose wrists, and that little spark of instinct that tells you exactly when to pounce.

Material

Standard 52-card deck:

A♠ 2♠ 3♠ 4♠ 5♠ 6♠ 7♠ 8♠ 9♠ 10♠ J♠ Q♠ K♠

Setup

Players: 2 only.

Each player builds 5 personal columns:

Column 1 → 1 card (face-up) Column 2 → 2 cards (top face-up) Column 3 → 3 cards (top face-up) Column 4 → 4 cards (top face-up) Column 5 → 5 cards (top face-up)

Remaining cards form your stock pile (face-down).

Starting the Round — “SPIT!”

Both players shout “SPIT!” and flip the top card from their stock into the center, forming two spit piles.

Immediately begin playing — no turns!

How to Play

Playing Cards

You may play any face-up column card to either spit pile if it’s:

• One rank higher, or
• One rank lower

Suits do not matter.

Aces wrap both ways (K-A-2).

Example: Spit shows 7 → you can play 6 or 8.

Column Rules

When you play a column’s face-up card:

• Flip the next face-down card
• If a column becomes empty → move any face-up card into the gap

Goal: Clear all 5 columns.

When Both Players Are Stuck

If neither player can play:

• Both yell “SPIT!” again
• Flip a new stock card onto each spit pile
• Continue playing instantly

Ending a Round

If a player empties all 5 columns:

• Both players slap a spit pile
• Fastest slap chooses pile
• Other player takes the remaining pile

Each player adds their spit cards to their stock, reshuffles, and sets up new columns.

If Stock Runs Out

If both players are stuck with no stock left:

• Immediately slap piles
• Take piles as usual
• Rebuild stocks and continue

Winning the Game

You win a full match when your opponent can’t even set up the required five starting columns at the beginning of a round. If they don’t have enough cards left to build their layout, that’s it — they’re done, and you take the victory.

Strategy

Column Control

• Clear high-depth columns first
• Create empty columns early
• Keep card flow smooth
• Avoid burying useful cards

Speed Techniques

• Use both hands
• Play to both piles
• Scan constantly
• React instantly

Choosing a Spit Pile

Slapping strategy:

• Smaller pile is usually better
• But sometimes bigger piles contain easier ranks
• Decide fast — hesitation loses rounds

Advanced Tactics

Blocking

• Rapidly change spit piles to limit opponent options
• Control both piles when possible
• Keep mid-range card flow (6–8) to stay active

End-Game Awareness

• Count remaining stock
• Predict when last “SPIT!” will happen
• Position your hand early for the final slap

Avoid Self-Blocking

• Keep your columns balanced
• Don’t stack too many high or low cards
• Maintain at least one playable pathway in your layout

Variants

Speed

A close cousin that uses 5-card hands and a calmer rhythm. Well… relatively calmer.

3-Player Spit

Three piles, three players, and triple the chaos. Blink and you’ll miss something important.

Revenge Spit

The loser of the last round gets to control the next SPIT, which adds a fun strategic twist.

Timed Spit

A new SPIT happens every 30 seconds. Brutal, relentless, perfect for tournaments.

Tips

• Set up your columns quickly so you’re ready to fire
• Use your peripheral vision — it’s your secret weapon
• Sit close to the table for faster reach
• Keep your hands relaxed; tense fingers slow you down
• Don’t wait for the perfect play. In Spit, speed always beats perfection

Common Mistakes

1. Trying to play with one hand instead of two
2. Forgetting to flip new face-down cards when a pile empties
3. Leaving an empty column unused
4. Slapping too slowly on the final pile
5. Overthinking every single card instead of trusting your reflexes

Competitive Play

Serious games use best-of-3 or best-of-5 formats. A referee helps settle slaps, ties, and messy pile grabs. Timed rounds keep things fair and stop endless stalemates.

Safety

• Don’t slam the table like a maniac
• Respect your opponent’s space — especially their fingers
• Avoid bending cards when playing too fast

Kids Version

A simplified layout:

• Only 3 columns at the start
• Fewer cards, shorter rounds
• Perfect for teaching beginners without overwhelming them