Introduction: Egyptian Ratscrew is a fast-paced, competitive card game that requires quick reflexes and a bit of luck. It can be played with 2 or more players, and it is recommended for ages 7 and up. In this game, players take turns laying down cards in a specific manner until someone slaps the pile and earns all the cards. The player with all the cards at the end of the game is declared the winner. Let’s dive into the rules of Egyptian Ratscrew and get ready for some fun!

Materials Needed: To play Egyptian Ratscrew, you will need a standard deck of 52 playing cards. Jokers are not necessary for this game.

Objective: The objective of Egyptian Ratscrew is to be the player with all the cards at the end of the game. This is achieved by correctly slapping the pile when certain card combinations appear.

Setup: To begin, the deck of cards is shuffled and dealt evenly among all players. Each player keeps their cards in a face-down pile in front of them without looking at them. This becomes their “slap pile”.

How to Play:

1. Starting with the player to the left of the dealer, players take turns flipping over the top card of their pile and placing it face-up in the middle. The order of play continues clockwise.
2. As cards are played, certain combinations require players to slap the pile.
3. If a player slaps the pile first, they win the pile and add it to the bottom of their own pile.
4. If a player slaps the pile incorrectly, they must give one card from their pile to the player who played the card that caused the slap.
5. Slapping the pile is only allowed in the following situations: a. Double - when two cards of the same rank are played consecutively (e.g. two Aces). b. Sandwich - when two cards of the same rank are separated by a different card (e.g. 4, 3, 4). c. Top Bottom - when the first and last card played in a sequence of 3 or more cards are the same rank (e.g. 6, 7, 6). d. Same Suit - when two cards of the same suit are played consecutively (e.g. 8 of hearts, 9 of hearts). e. Jokers - when a Joker is played, players must slap the pile and the first to do so wins the pile.
6. If a player runs out of cards in their pile, they can slap any time a new card is played, and if they are first, they receive the pile.
7. If a player falsely slaps the pile 3 times, they are out of the game. The last player with cards remaining is the winner.

Tips:

• Stay focused and pay attention to card combinations, as they can change quickly.
• Be careful not to slap the pile too early, as this can result in penalties.
• Don’t hesitate to slap the pile if you think you see a combination, as it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Now that you have a strong understanding of the rules of Egyptian Ratscrew, gather some friends or family and start playing! It’s a fun and lively game that will keep everyone on their toes. Good luck and happy slapping!