President

Shed your cards before the other players, then trade cards according to your finishing rank.

Getting a board

Craft a President Board and fit it into a Large Game Table. Place matching Game Chairs facing the table, then take a seat.

Materials

1 ×Paper
7 ×Any planks
1 ×Yellow wool

How to play

Open the fitted board to make your moves. How to play in the side tray gives you the same lessons with illustrations inside the game.

Lead the first deal

Three of clubs: Open the first deal with the three of clubs. After the exchanges, the previous last-place player leads. — **Three of clubs**
Open the first deal with the three of clubs. After the exchanges, the previous last-place player leads.

Match the count: Play a single, pair, triple, or four of a kind. The next play must match the count and beat the rank. — **Match the count**
Play a single, pair, triple, or four of a kind. The next play must match the count and beat the rank.

Know the rank ladder

Twos are highest: Ranks climb from three through king, then ace, then two. Suits do not break ties; there are no jokers. — **Twos are highest**
Ranks climb from three through king, then ace, then two. Suits do not break ties; there are no jokers.

Empty your hand: Play every card to finish. The first player out takes the best finishing place for this deal. — **Empty your hand**
Play every card to finish. The first player out takes the best finishing place for this deal.

Pass and clear

Pass: Pass when you cannot or do not want to beat the current play. You may play again on your next turn. — **Pass**
Pass when you cannot or do not want to beat the current play. You may play again on your next turn.

New lead: After everyone else passes, the last play wins the lead. If that player is out, the next active seat leads. — **New lead**
After everyone else passes, the last play wins the lead. If that player is out, the next active seat leads.

Exchange ranks

After each deal: The last place gives two strongest cards to first place; four-player middle places exchange one. — **After each deal**
The last place gives two strongest cards to first place; four-player middle places exchange one.

Choose returns: First place returns any two original cards. Second returns one in a four-player deal. Keep the new gifts. — **Choose returns**
First place returns any two original cards. Second returns one in a four-player deal. Keep the new gifts.

Score five deals

Finish order: A four-player deal scores 3, 2, 1, 0 points in finish order. Three players score 2, 1, 0. — **Finish order**
A four-player deal scores 3, 2, 1, 0 points in finish order. Three players score 2, 1, 0.

President wins: After five deals, the highest point total wins. Equal totals share the win. — **President wins**
After five deals, the highest point total wins. Equal totals share the win.

Rules in more detail

Passing and the five-deal match

This variant plays five deals. Passing does not permanently remove you from a contest: you can rejoin on a later turn. Consecutive passes clear the contest and return the lead to its winner. Finishing order establishes the next deal’s ranks and exchanges. Exchanges use the newly dealt cards and must finish before normal play resumes.

Keep playing

Use Rematch after the result to play again. To pause an unfinished match, the table owner can remove and keep its board.

See seats and solo play for multiplayer and Play alone, or item stakes if you want to agree on a pot.