Four players, one goal: get rid of every card in your hand before the others do. The first player out becomes President and the last one out is Scum. Then the cards are swapped in the President’s favour and the next hand starts. You play against three computer opponents; a match is 3 or 5 hands.
How to play
Ranks. 3 is the lowest card and 2 is the highest: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A, 2. Suits do not matter.
Leading. In the first hand the player holding the 3 of clubs leads. In later hands the President leads. The leader plays one, two, three or four cards of the same rank. Turns pass to the right.
Following. The next player must play the same number of cards of a higher rank, or pass. A pass lasts until the pile is cleared. When everybody else has passed, the pile is cleared and the last player who played leads again. Playing a 2 clears the pile immediately and the same player leads.
Going out. When your last card is played you leave the hand. If the pile was yours, the others keep playing against it; once everyone left has passed, the next active player leads. The hand ends as soon as three players are out.
Ranks and points. First out is President (2 points), second is Vice President (1 point), third is Citizen, last is Scum.
The swap. Before the next hand the Scum hands the President their two highest cards automatically, and the Citizen hands the Vice President their highest card. The President then gives any two cards back to the Scum, and the Vice President gives one card back to the Citizen. Tap cards in your hand and press Give when it is your turn to return cards.
Match. After 3 or 5 hands (pick in the menu) the player with the most points wins. A tie is shared.
Strategy
- Lead low singles early to drain the junk from your hand while the pile is still easy to beat.
- Keep pairs and triples together. Splitting a triple to beat a single wastes a strong group; the computer passes rather than break a set, and so should you unless someone is about to go out.
- Save 2s and the highest cards for the end. A 2 clears the pile and gives you the lead when you most need it.
- Count the 2s that have been played. When all four are gone, an ace is unbeatable.
- As President, give back your lowest cards. As Scum, you cannot choose: your two best cards leave automatically, so your only defence is playing well enough not to finish last again.
If you enjoy President, try Pyramid Solitaire or Rummy 500 next.
