Bs Card Game Rules

Bs Card Game Rules: How To Play Bullshit?

BS is a widely popular game with different names across the world. Some call it ‘Cheat,’ while others call it ‘Liar.’ Although the name is suggestive of what might be in store for us today, we will dive into the details – learn all the BS card game rules, and turn from amateur to pro in no time. That’s the goal! However, make sure you stick around till the end for some fun trivia and some really helpful tips and tricks that you can use in your next ‘BS’ game!

How To Play BS/Bullshit?

BS is also famously called ‘Bluffing,’ and there is a very good reason for it. This is because the only thing that matters in this game is winning, and to do that, you need to shed all your cards. You can choose the honest path – declare the correct values. Or you can choose to ‘Bluff’ or ‘BS’ your way to victory!

Once the cards are handed out, each player has to strategize and arrange their cards to shed their hand before everyone else does. According to the official BS card game rules, all players are free to call ‘BS’ or ‘Bluff’ at any player’s turn. If a bluffer is caught, then there are specific penalties (explained below). However, if a bluff is called but not proved, the caller has to face the consequences. Let’s find out how to play this exciting card game!

Objective

This game’s single most important objective is the same for everyone – win by hook or crook. The only way to win the game is to shed all your cards before others do so. Your strategy can be to either speak the truth, bluff or what works best in most cases – a combination of both. Now we know what this game is about, let’s head to learn the rules of BS card game.

BS Card Game Rules

Now it’s time to dive right into the heart of the matter—how do you play bs card game, and what are BS card game rules? Ensure you note every rule we have listed for you, and keep reading for some great tips to improve at BS.

Setup & Deal

The game is best played between 3 to 6 players. For this, you need only one standard deck of 52 playing cards with no Joker. However, the game can also be played between 2-10 players. In case the number of players is more than 6, it is advisable to use two 52-card decks for the game. This will make the game more rivalrous.

Then, once all the players have gathered around a flat surface (preferably a table), elect a dealer who will distribute the entire deck of cards equally among all the players. It is to be noted that the cards must be dealt face-down. When the players receive their cards, they can arrange them in any order and look at their hands. Now, the table is ready to learn the BS card game rules!

how to play bs/ how to play bullshit card game

General Bullshit Card Game Rules (BS Card Game Rules)

If you are interested in playing this game and intend to cut your losses, then understand one thing – once the cards are distributed, it’s anybody’s game. Your strategy should be to keep everyone guessing as you shed maximum cards with minimum risk. However, you need to know the BS card game rules before you can perfect this. These rules have been mentioned below:

  • Once the cards have been distributed, the player to the dealer’s left starts. 
  • The order of shedding cannot be random. The usual rule of Bs card game is shedding cards in an ascending order. In other words, the first player needs to shed aces (they count as 1), the second player needs to shed 2s, the third player 3s, and so forth.
  • The correct order of play is A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K.
  • Players are free to put down any number of cards they want but must match the sequence mentioned above. For example, Player 3 cannot put down one 7, three Kings, etc. (Technically, they cannot!) Instead, they are expected to put down four 2s, one 2, or any number of 2s. This makes the game more challenging. 
  • Since the game is called ‘BS’ or Bluff, players can lie. This means you can lie about the cards you are putting down. Well, there are Bullshit card game rules for that. For example, if you are the 4th player, you are supposed to play 4s in the first round, then 8s in the second round, and so on. However, the player can choose to lie about the face value or type of cards they are shedding, i.e. On their first turn, player four can either put down one correct card (4 numbered cards), one wrong card (any card other than 4), multiple incorrect cards (more than one card but neither numbered 4), all correct cards (one or more cards numbered 4), or any combination of the correct and the wrong cards (one correct card, some correct cards, or no correct cards).
  • Players are allowed to lie about the face value of the cards or the type of cards they are shedding. However, they are not allowed to lie about the number of cards they put down. 
  • The official BS card game rules govern that players are only allowed to look at their own hands. When declaring and putting down cards on their turn, each player must put down all their cards in a face-down manner. This will create the discard pile.
  • However, any player can call ‘BS,’ ‘Cheat,’ or ‘Bluff’ during a player’s turn. A bluff cannot be called if the following player has played their hand. To simplify, let’s say Player 4 has shed their cards, and then Player 5 has played their hand. You cannot call ‘BS’ for Player 4’s turn, per the Bullshit card game. 
  • Let’s assume any of the players call ‘BS’ on Player 4. Now, one of two things can happen: either Player 4 has bluffed (declared cards different from the ones they put down), or they could have actually been telling the truth (declaring and putting down the same cards).
  • If Player 4 was bluffing and is caught out, then Player 4 must pick up all the cards accumulated in the discard pile (face-down) and the cards they put down.
  • If Player 4 wasn’t bluffing, then the player who called the ‘BS’ is punished instead. In this case, they must pick up all the cards that have been added to the discard pile (face-down) along with the cards that Player 4 had just played. 
  • The next play begins with the player who caught the ‘BS’ or the player who was accused of ‘BS-ing’ but wasn’t. 

Variations Of BS

What fun is a card game that doesn’t allow some room for changes or variations? As fun as the original game is, there are some mindblowing variations of the game that you must try once you get the hang of it. They are as follows:

  • Double Decks – Introduce two decks in the game and let the game go on for a bit longer. Shuffle the decks properly, and then mix the cards up. This will introduce some ‘fun’ chaos in the game. However, the BS card game rules will remain the same.  
  • Change The Sequence – The usual sequence is from Aces to Kings (ascending order). Instead, choose a random or descending sequence or play with no rigid sequence. For example, A, 2, 3, K, 4…
  • Matching Cards – Another popular take on the Bullshit card game rules, in certain countries, dictates that players are free to play whatever cards they want (any number of the same cards). Then, all players must discard cards of the same face value or types (one whole round moving clockwise). Then, once none of the players have the same cards to play, the round ends, and a new one begins with the last player putting down cards of the same face value. For example, if Player 1 is starting a round and has put down three Jacks, then the rest of the players have to put down Jacks (you can either put down Jack cards or ‘BS’) or call the other player ‘BS.’
  • Lie about card numbers – This rule must be discussed before playing the game. Players can lie about how many cards they put down by this rule. For example, any player can declare that they are putting down 3 Kings while actually putting down 4 Kings (sneaking an extra King card between the others). If ‘BS’ is called, they must pick up all the cards accumulated so far.
bullshit card game rules

Winning

There is only one way to win at ‘BS’ – shed all your cards before anyone else does. ‘BS,’ ‘Cheat,’ or ‘Bluffing’ is a card game that is based on the fundamental principles of shedding card games. Lie, cheat, or be truthful about your hand, but make sure you do your best to win! Don’t forget to follow BS card game rules in order to win in fairways.

Tips & Strategy

In this section of the article, we will help you out with some beneficial tips and strategies that will improve your chances of winning your next game of ‘BS.’ Let’s dive in without any further delay:

  • Make sure your face is not readable – ‘BS’ is a game where your conduct dictates whether you win. For example, if you bluff about your cards, but your face and expressions give it away, then someone will call your bluff, and you will pick up all the cards accumulated so far. So, keeping a poker face throughout the game is best to avoid suspicion. 
  • Misdirect – Another strategy that works great is misdirection. Throw your opponents off by acting like you have bluffed when you haven’t. This will urge them to call ‘BS,’ and since you have not actually ‘BS-ed,’ they will have to pick up all the cards in the discard pile.
  • Double-Down—When someone seems unsure whether you have bluffed or not, an excellent way to throw them off is to question their doubt, confusing them further.
  • Mixbag – The trick is to keep your opponents guessing. A trick that you can resort to is this: if you have four of 8s, you can call out four 8s. However, you can put down four cards (none being 8). Then, if no one calls ‘BS,’ you can call out four 8s again, and this time, you can put down all 8s. If someone calls ‘BS,’ you will have shed a total of 8 cards, and they will have to pick up all the cards. You can mix up the numbers as well. For example, you can call two 8s and put down two different cards (one eight and some other card or all different cards). Then, you can repeat the method as many times as you want. You need to keep in mind the total number for each card type, the total cards in the deck, the cards shed already, and if your ‘BS’ is about to get called. 
  • The Whole Truth – Another popular strategy you can resort to is refraining from lying for the majority of the game. Probability suggests that most people will think you are bluffing and call it at some point in the game. However, if you don’t ‘BS,’ they will have to pick up cards, per BS card game rules. Never lying ensures you don’t pick up cards at any point. However, towards the end of the game, when people are more or less confused about your strategy, they will avoid calling your bluff to avoid having to pick up cards themselves. That is when you start bluffing and throwing them off by switching between ‘BS’ and the ‘whole truth!’

Did You Know?

  • ‘BS’ goes by different names in different corners of the world. For example, this game is famous in the UK as ‘Cheat.’ In other countries, it is called ‘I Doubt It,’ ‘Bluff,’ ‘Liar,’ etc. 
  • The game was probably invented in the early 19th century and was derived from games like ‘I Doubt It.’
  • The game has made appearances in many movies and in pop culture references as well.
  • ‘BS’ is a great game that helps you understand and recognize patterns in people. It also helps improve your quick-thinking skills.

FAQs

How many players can play BS?

The game can be played by 2-10 players, as per the official BS card game rules. However, it is best played by 3-6 players. If there are more players, you might need an additional deck of cards.

What happens if two people call a bluff at the same time?

If two players call the bluff at the same time, then the group generally collectively votes for the player they think called out ‘BS’ first.

Can you challenge multiple cards in the discard pile?

Unfortunately, no. You can only call it ‘BS’ on the recent hand, which the last player played. 

Can you play ‘BS’ with Jokers?

The Joker card is not usually included as part of the game. However, if you want to make your own rules, then you can obviously include the Joker card. In this case, the card will serve as a wild card.

Conclusion

Lie, cheat, deceive, or fly the straight path through the game – use whatever strategy you think will work the best for you. However, make sure you know that not everyone else feels the way you do. Mix it up and keep everyone on their toes – that is the key! But don’t forget to follow BS card game rules/Bullshit Card Game Rules. Now that you know how to ‘Play With Rules,’ how about we learn another card game?

READ MORE:- Do you know how to play Netball? If not, then you are missing out on something splendid. So, to quickly learn the rules.

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