Spite and Malice, also known as Cat and Mouse, is a fast-paced, strategic card game perfect for two players. Its simple rules belie a surprising depth of gameplay, making it enjoyable for both casual players and seasoned card game enthusiasts. This guide will cover the rules, offer some strategic tips, and answer common questions.
Basic Gameplay: The Goal and Setup
The objective of Spite and Malice is to be the first player to empty your hand of all cards. You achieve this by strategically placing cards onto your opponent's piles, hindering their progress, and building your own sets.
Setup:
- Use a standard 52-card deck.
- Shuffle the deck thoroughly.
- Deal seven cards to each player.
- Place the remaining cards face down in the center to form the draw pile.
- Turn over the top card of the draw pile to start the discard pile.
How to Play: Building Piles and Discarding
Each player has four piles in front of them: three face-up piles and one face-down pile (your stock). The three face-up piles start empty.
Playing Cards:
- You can play a card onto any of your own face-up piles, or onto your opponent's face-up piles, as long as it's one rank higher or lower than the top card of the pile.
- For example, if the top card of a pile is a 7, you can play a 6 or an 8 onto it.
- Aces (A) can be played on either Kings (K) or Twos (2). Twos (2) can be played on Aces (A) or Threes (3).
- You can only play one card at a time.
Drawing Cards:
- If you cannot play any cards from your hand, you must draw one card from the draw pile. If you can now play a card, do so. If you still cannot play, your turn ends.
- Once the draw pile is exhausted, the game continues until one player has emptied their hand.
Face-Down Pile (Stock):
- Your face-down pile acts as your stock. You can only look at cards in your hand; you cannot peek into your stock.
- When you run out of cards in your hand and cannot play, you can turn over your top card from your face-down pile to put into your hand.
- At the end of the game the stock counts towards your total score.
Winning the Game
The first player to empty their hand of all cards wins the round. The number of cards in the opponent's hand, including their stock, determines the score.
Scoring:
- Face-up cards: 1 point each
- Face-down (stock) cards: 2 points each
Variations and House Rules:
While the basic rules are consistent, some players introduce variations such as:
- Point Limits: Setting a point limit for the game.
- Multiple Rounds: Playing multiple rounds to achieve a set total score.
Strategic Tips for Winning
- Early Game Strategy: Focus on building your own piles early, aiming to get rid of high-value cards quickly.
- Mid-Game Strategy: Pay close attention to your opponent's piles; try to block them strategically by placing cards to prevent them from playing.
- Late Game Strategy: Concentrate on playing your remaining cards efficiently, and try to avoid drawing unnecessary cards.
- Opponent's Hand: Pay attention to what cards your opponent plays to guess their holdings and plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happens if the draw pile is empty and I can't play any cards?
If the draw pile is empty and you have no playable cards, your turn ends. Continue playing until one player has no cards left.
Can I play multiple cards at once?
No, you can only play one card at a time.
What if I run out of cards in my hand, and my stock is empty?
If you run out of cards in your hand and your stock pile is empty, and you cannot play, your turn ends. The game continues until someone empties their hand.
Can I rearrange my face-up piles?
No, you cannot rearrange the order of cards in your face-up piles once they are placed.
Spite and Malice is a simple game to learn but offers opportunities for cunning strategies. Mastering the game involves carefully observing your opponent's moves, planning your plays effectively, and adapting to changing circumstances. So, gather your cards and prepare for some spiteful fun!
