Shithead Rules

Before you start...

Use regular pack of 52 playing cards, no jokers.

The dealing and playing always goes clockwise.

Three cards are dealt out face down, one at a time, to each player starting with the person to the left of the dealer.

Three cards are then dealt out to each player, face up and on top of the face down cards to each player.

Three cards to be held in the hand are then dealt out in turn to each player.

Before the game starts, a player may exchange the cards in his hand for the face up cards on the table, they can start using their cards on the table that are face up. Note this is the only time during the game this can happen.

When the pack is "burned" the cards put down, and all the cards below are put to the side for the remainder of that game and it is the "burners" go again.

If four of the same number are put down in a row, it will burn the pack, if a three interrupts this they are NOT burned

A 10 will burn the pack also.

the 2 can go on any card and any card can go on the 2.
the 3 can go on any card and is considered "transparent", so the next player must beat the card before.
the 4 can only go on a 4 or lower, or a 7
the 5 can only go on a 5 or lower, or a 7
the 6 can only go on a 6 or lower, or a 7
the 7 can only go on a 7 or lower, and only a 7 or lower can go on it, with the exception of a 10.
the 8 can only go on a 8 or lower, but not a 7
the 9 can only go on a 9 or lower, but not a 7
the 10 can go on ANY card and will burn the pack.
the jack can go on a jack or lower, but not a 7
the queen can go on a queen or lower, but not a 7
the king can go on a king or lower, but not a 7
the ace is considered "high" (above a king in value), so can go on any card but a 7.

The game:

The person with four of hearts in their hand goes first. if the four of hearts is not available yet, the lowest diamonds have priority, then clubs then spades.
Eg. if 4 hearts not available, then 4d, then 4c then 4s, then 5h, 5d, 5c, 5s etc
Each player must have at least 3 cards in their hand until the pack to be played has expired.

If a player cannot put down then they must pick up the pile and it is the next persons go.

A blank table is considered a value of 0 and anything can be put down on it.

Once a player has finished with all the cards in his hand and there are no more left to pick up they can put one card down at a time from their own face up cards, unless there are two or three of the same, in which case they may put more than one down. If they cannot beat the previous card they must pick up the pile but not their own face-up card..

When they have finished with all the face up cards and has no cards in their hand then they may start using the face down ones. It is a total guess which card they use. They use one at a time.

when a player has no cards left they are out of the game

the last person to have a card in their hand is the shithead.

Variantions:

A few changes may be made if more than 4 people are playing. Either two packs may be used at once, or instead of having three cards in the hand and on the table, two cards may be used.