how to play smear card game

Daniel Parker

3 min read

·

07-02-2025

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Smear, also known as Slapjack or Slap, is a fast-paced card game perfect for two or more players. It's easy to learn, but mastering the quick reflexes and strategic thinking required to win takes practice! This guide will walk you through the rules and strategies for playing Smear.

Getting Started: What You Need

• A standard deck of 52 playing cards: No special cards are needed.
• 2 or more players: The more players, the more chaotic and fun the game becomes!

How to Play Smear: The Basic Rules

1. Deal the Cards: Shuffle the deck thoroughly and deal all the cards face down to each player. No one looks at their cards yet.

2. The Deal: Players keep their cards face down in a pile in front of them.

3. Start Playing: Each player simultaneously flips over their top card and places it face up in the center of the playing area, creating a central discard pile.

4. The Smear: The goal is to be the first to "slap" a card when a certain combination appears in the center pile. These combinations are:

   • Double: Two cards of the same rank (e.g., two sevens).
   • Sandwich: A pair of cards of the same rank with another card in between. For example, if the center pile is 5, 7, 5, the first person to slap wins the pile.
   • Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank.
   • Jack: A Jack appears in the central pile (Jacks are considered a 'wild card' in Smear)
   • Any Combination: Some variations include slapping on other combinations, such as three in a row or a king next to a queen. Clarify these rules with your players before you start.

5. Winning the Pile: The first player to slap a valid combination wins the cards in the center pile. They add these cards to the bottom of their own pile.

6. The Game Continues: Players continue turning over cards and slapping the combinations until one player has all the cards.

7. Game Over: The first player to collect all 52 cards is the winner, often declared "the Smear King" or "the Smear Queen"!

Smear Strategies: How to Win

• Quick Reflexes: Speed is key! Practice your slapping technique. Be fast but accurate; don't slap invalid combinations. Slapping an invalid combination often results in a penalty—you lose your turn or add cards to the pile.

• Observation: Pay close attention to the cards being played. Anticipate potential combinations and position yourself to slap quickly.

• Deception: While the basic rules are straightforward, sometimes you can use the cards in your hand to your advantage. Try to create traps and create the most combinations possible.

• Control: If you have several jacks, for example, you can strategically place them to trigger the "jack" combination or use them to slow down your opponents.

Variations and House Rules

Smear is highly adaptable. Some variations include:

• Penalties: For slapping incorrectly, players might add cards to the central pile or lose a turn.
• Bonus Points: Certain combinations, like four of a kind or a sequence, might give you bonus points, especially when a point system is used.
• Different Combinations: Some variations add combinations such as three cards in a row of the same suit.

Remember to agree on any house rules before the game begins to ensure everyone is playing fairly and having fun.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What happens if two players slap at the same time?

A: There are a few ways to handle this: Sometimes, the first person to successfully grab the pile wins. Other times, players may have to compete over the pile.

Q: Can I slap on a combination that includes my own card?

A: No, you can only slap on cards already in the central pile.

Q: What if I run out of cards?

A: You are out of the game until a player wins a pile, at which point you rejoin.

Smear is a fun and exciting game that's easy to pick up but difficult to master. Gather your friends, family, or even just one opponent, and get ready for some fast-paced card-slapping action! Remember to practice your reflexes and develop your strategic thinking to become the ultimate Smear champion!