How to Play Pitty Pat: A Matching Card Game for Fun and Gambling

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, easy-to-learn card game to play with friends or family, Pitty Pat might be your perfect match! This classic matching game is popular for its simplicity and competitive edge, making it a great choice for beginners and seasoned players alike. The main objective? Match cards and be the first to empty your hand. Let’s dive into the rules and strategies that make Pitty Pat such an exciting game.

Game Objective and Setup for Pitty Pat Cards

Basic Overview of Pitty Pat Rules

Pitty Pat is played with a standard 52-card deck, making it simple to get started. Typically, the game is best suited for 2-4 players, and the cards are ranked in standard order, with aces being the highest. Each player’s goal is to make pairs with the cards in their hand and discard them until someone clears their hand completely.

Goal of the Game

The objective is straightforward: make pairs from your hand or with the top card of the draw pile to discard cards quickly. The first player to discard all their cards wins the round, and depending on your game setup, this may mean scoring points or just gaining bragging rights!

Game Setup

1. Shuffle the Deck: Start by shuffling a standard 52-card deck.
2. Deal the Cards: Each player is dealt 5 cards face-down.
3. Establish the Draw Pile: Place the remaining deck face-down in the center as the draw pile.
4. Reveal the Top Card: Flip over the top card of the draw pile to start the discard pile.

How to Play Pitty Pat for Beginners

The Deal and First Move

After the cards are dealt, the first player (typically chosen clockwise from the dealer) picks up a card from the draw pile. They must attempt to match this card with any in their hand.

What Cards Do You Take Out in Pitty Pat

Players discard pairs as they match them. If the drawn card doesn’t help them make a pair, they discard it onto the discard pile and pass their turn to the next player.

1. Draw a Card: Draw a card from the top of the draw pile.
2. Check for Matches: If you can form a pair, place the pair face-up in front of you.
3. Discard if No Match: If no pair is made, take out the card onto the discard pile.
4. Winning the Round: The first player to discard all cards wins.

Winning and Scoring in Pitty Pat

In Pitty Pat, you can play for individual rounds, or make it a multi-round game by keeping score. Typically, the winner of each round scores points based on the number of cards remaining in other players’ hands. Set a target score to make the game more competitive!

Top Pitty Pat Strategies for Quick Wins

Focusing on High-Probability Matches

One of the simplest strategies in Pitty Pat is to pay attention to cards that commonly appear and prioritize making those pairs. Holding onto cards that have higher probabilities of pairing increases your chances of discarding quickly.

Observing Opponents’ Moves

Watch what other players pick up and discard. This can offer clues about the cards they’re holding and inform your moves. If you’re aware of their strategies, you can adjust yours to beat them.

Timing and Decisiveness in Pitty Pat

Don’t overthink each move, as this can slow the game down and reveal hesitation. Fast decision-making can help you maintain control over your hand and keep the game moving at a fun, brisk pace.

How to Play Pitty Pat for Money: Rules and Tips

While Pitty Pat is casual, playing it for money is usually done informally. Keep the environment light-hearted, and ensure all players agree on rules and stakes beforehand.

Deuces (Twos) Used as Wild Cards

In the gambling version of Pitty Pat, Deuces serve as wild cards, making it easier for players to create pairs and increasing the game’s unpredictability. This version is designed for quick, competitive rounds, where the first player to make three pairs from their five-card hand wins.

Setting Up a Money Game

1. Agree on Stakes: Decide the wager per round. It can be a fixed amount or a pot that builds over several rounds.
2. Scoring System: Some groups give points for each win, with a final payout after multiple rounds.

Is Pitty Pat a gambling game? A Quick Example 

1. Set Stakes: Each player adds $1 to the pot per round, so with five players, the round pot totals $5.
2. Game Play: Play as usual, using deuces as wild cards. The first player to create three pairs and clear their hand wins the $5 pot.
3. Jackpot Option: If playing multiple rounds, add $1 per player to a jackpot each round. The first player to win three rounds (or the highest scorer after five rounds) wins the jackpot.
4. Side Bet (Optional): Players can place a $0.50 side bet for the highest single card dealt (ace or king), awarded immediately after the deal.

How to Cheat in Pitty Pat: Techniques and Ethics

Disclaimer: Cheating is against the spirit of fair play and is generally discouraged. Use these insights for understanding strategy rather than attempting to cheat.

Common Methods of Cheating

1. Card Marking: Some players might mark cards subtly to track high-value pairs, though this requires practice and risks being caught.
2. Shuffling Manipulation: In casual games where players shuffle, someone might try to stack the deck. Watch out for repeated shuffling patterns.
3. Signaling: In team variations, players might signal each other about high-value cards. This can be very effective but is also easy to detect if other players are alert.

How to Spot Cheaters

• Notice Patterns: Frequent matches or unusual draws could signal manipulation.
• Pay Attention to Card Placement: If a player seems to know the draw pile’s top card too often, they may be stacking the deck.

How to Play Pitty Pat with 2 Players

Adapting Pitty Pat for two players is straightforward and keeps the game engaging while adding strategic depth. Here’s how to set up and play the two person game:

1. Deal and Setup:
   • Use a standard 52-card deck.
   • Each player is dealt seven cards instead of the usual five to lengthen gameplay.
   • Place the remaining cards face-down as the draw pile and flip the top card over to start the discard pile.
2. Gameplay:
   • Players take turns drawing from the draw pile, aiming to form pairs.
   • Each turn, a player can either take the top card from the discard pile or draw from the draw pile.
   • If they form a pair, they lay it down; if not, they discard a card to the discard pile.
3. Winning:
   • The first player to discard all cards by forming pairs wins the game.
   • Alternatively, if you want to play multiple rounds, tally points based on the cards remaining in the opponent’s hand after each win.
4. Strategic Tips:
   • Track Opponent’s Discards: In a two-player game, it’s easier to monitor what your opponent discards. Use this information to avoid giving them cards that may complete their pairs.
   • Consider Wild Deuces: To add more excitement, make deuces (twos) wild, which allows more flexibility in pairing and speeds up the game.

This two-player version of Pitty Pat keeps the pace quick while encouraging strategic thinking and careful card management.

How to Play Pitty Pat Card Game with Drinking Rules

Add a fun twist to your Pitty Pat game with these simple drinking rules based on specific cards, similar to classic Kings Cup. Here are a few easy rules to keep the game lively:

1. Ace – Waterfall: When an Ace is drawn, everyone starts drinking at the same time. Players can only stop drinking when the person to their left stops.
2. King – Rule Master: The player who draws a King creates a new rule (like “no pointing” or “drink every time someone says ‘pair’”). This rule stays in effect until another King is drawn.
3. Queen – Social Drink: When a Queen appears, everyone raises their glass and takes a drink together—perfect for keeping the party vibe strong.
4. Jack – Skip a Turn: Drawing a Jack means the player gets to skip their next turn. The person who skipped then picks another player to take a drink.
5. Deuce – Wild Card Drink: Since deuces are wild in Pitty Pat, drawing one means the player can assign a drink to anyone of their choice.
6. Three-of-a-Kind Rule (optional): If a player manages to create three of a kind instead of a pair, everyone else takes two sips.

These drinking rules keep the game social and entertaining, while still maintaining the core elements of Pitty Pat. Just be sure to play responsibly and enjoy the game!

Pitty Pat Similar Card Games

If you enjoy Pitty Pat, you’ll likely appreciate other classic matching games like Go Fish and Old Maid. Both are simple, social games that share similar matching mechanics, making them easy to learn and perfect for groups. Here’s a quick introduction to each:

Go Fish

Go Fish is a classic card game focused on matching pairs, ideal for players of all ages.

• Objective: The goal is to collect as many pairs as possible by asking other players for specific cards. For example, if you have a five, you might ask another player, “Do you have any fives?” If they do, they must give you all of their fives. If not, they tell you to “Go Fish,” meaning you draw a card from the deck.
• Gameplay: Players continue asking and matching until all cards have been paired. The player with the most pairs at the end wins. Go Fish is straightforward, highly social, and easy to learn, making it great for casual gatherings.

Old Maid

Old Maid is another lighthearted game that uses matching mechanics, but with a twist—players try to avoid being the last one holding the “Old Maid” card.

• Objective: The aim is to form pairs and discard them until all pairs are gone, while avoiding the single, unmatched “Old Maid” card (often represented by the Queen or Joker).
• Gameplay: Players take turns drawing a card from the hand of the player next to them, hoping to make pairs. The game continues until all pairs are made. The player left holding the Old Maid at the end loses, adding a humorous and suspenseful element to the game.

Matching Card Games

If you enjoy matching games like Pitty Pat, here are a few other classics to try:

• Peanut Butter & Jelly Card Game: In this playful game, players race to complete sandwich “matches” by collecting pairs of peanut butter, jelly, and bread cards. Fast and family-friendly, this game combines strategy and speed, making it a hit for all ages.
• BS Card Game: Also known as Bluff or Cheat, BS adds a twist to matching by including bluffing. Players aim to get rid of all their cards by claiming to match the rank in play. However, opponents can call out suspected bluffs, keeping everyone on their toes in this lively, competitive game.
• Kemps Card Game: A unique team-based matching game, Kemps has players signaling to their partners when they’ve collected a set of four matching cards. But there’s a catch—opponents can call out the signals, turning this game into a test of communication, stealth, and strategy.

Whether you’re a casual player or a card game enthusiast, Pitty Pat offers endless fun with its simple mechanics and exciting twists. From beginner-friendly gameplay to two-player adaptations and even drinking variations, this guide covers everything you need to master the game.