By OpalCat

tags: cards, fun, game, instructions

What the hell is Egyptian Rat Screw??
Egyptian Rat Screw is a card game. It can be played by any number of people (but everyone has to be able to reach the center of the table.) and the goal of the game is to get all the cards.

The deck is split evenly between the players, and each holds their cards face down.

Going clockwise, each person takes a turn putting a card in the center pile. The card must be the top card on their deck, and must be “flipped” onto the pile outward so the person doesn’t see their own card first, and also so that their hand isn’t too near (or god forbid TOUCHING) the pile when the card goes down. This is so they don’t have an advantage for the slapping part.

Face Cards
If someone puts down a face card or an Ace, the next person must also throw down a face card or an ace. They have a certain number of chances to do this, depending on what card was played. If it was an Ace, they can turn over up to four cards, a King up to three, Queen two, Jack one. If they fail to produce a face card or an Ace, the person who threw down the face card takes the pile. If they do throw down a face card or an Ace, then it goes to the next person to throw down one with the same rules.

Examples with two players:
Player 1 throws down a Queen
Player 2 throws down a 5 and then a 7.
Player 1 takes the pile.

Player 1 throws down a King
Player 2 throws down a 9 and then a Queen
Player three throws down a 3 and then a 9 and then an 8.
Player 2 takes the pile.

This can go around a number of times, building the pile larger and larger, and making the final ‘win’ much better.

Slapping
If the card thrown down is the same as the card it lands on (doubles) then whoever slaps the pile first takes the pile. This counts for any card including face cards, and at any time including when you’re turning over cards after a face card.

If the value card thrown down, added to the value of the card it lands on adds up to 10, whoever slaps the pile first takes the pile. An Ace and a 9 do count as adding up to 10.

If there is a tie when slapping, the players arm wrestle for the pile.

Example with two players:
Player 1 throws down a 3
Player 2 throws down a 6
Player 1 throws down a 4
Player 1 and 2 slap the pile, player 2 is first to it, player 2 takes the pile.

Player 1 throws down a Queen
Player 2 throws down a 3 and then another 3
Player 1 and 2 slap the pile, player 1 is first to it, player 1 takes the pile.

Player 1 throws down a 7
Player 2 throws down a Jack
Player 1 throws down a Jack
Player 1 and 2 slap the pile, player 2 is first to it, player 2 takes the pile.

The person who wins the pile (by any of the methods) begins play by throwing the first card into the center.

Slapping in
If a player loses all of their cards, they may re-enter the game by winning a slap. In some circles, this is also the way a new player may join the game. It is also traditional to not let a new player in until they figure out the rules on their own by watching the game.

Once the game has started, nobody is EVER to shuffle their hand. The cards must remain in the order they’ve been played, all else is considered cheating.

Traditionally, insults are hurled at other players during game play. Bruises are worn as badges of honor. It is considered good manners, however, to remove any especially dangerous jewelry before playing.

Some more variants…

— 12:44:10 PM
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