How to Play Peanut Butter Card Game: DIY Options and Fun Variants

Peanut Butter is a matching card game, which is known as Peanut Butter & Jelly. This family-friendly game is easy to learn, packed with surprises, and perfect for players of all ages. Plus, check out exciting variations like Kemps, Peanuts, and BS for a new twist, or adapt the game to a standard deck of cards for a fun DIY version. Get ready to dive into PB&J magic!

How to Play the Peanut Butter & Jelly Card Game

The Peanut Butter & Jelly is a classic matching card game created by Fundex, known for its simple rules and fun, family-friendly gameplay. 

Game Setup

To play the Peanut Butter & Jelly Card Game, you’ll need either the original Fundex cards or 54 DIY card deck that includes various elements:

1. Bread Cards: 20 cards
2. Peanut Butter Cards: 12 cards
3. Jelly Cards: 12 cards
4. Special Cards: 10 cards (including 4 Ant cards, 2 Fly cards and 2 Wild cards)
5. 1 plastic fly (Or a coin to represent fly)

Card Rules

• Bread: Start and finish each sandwich with a Bread card.
• Peanut Butter: Place it on top of a slice of bread or a Jelly card.
• Jelly: Place it on top of a slice of bread or a Peanut Butter card.
• Wild Card: Could be used as Bread, Peanut Butter or Jelly.
• Ant Card: If you draw an Ant, you can steal any card from an opponent’s sandwich and use it for your own.
• Fly Card: The fly causes a sticky situation! Place it on an opponent’s sandwich, making it unplayable until the fly moves.
  • How the Fly Moves: If another player draws a Fly card, they can move the fly to any other player’s sandwich.
  • Fly Effect: A sandwich with a fly can’t be finished or counted as complete. The player with the fly has to start building a new sandwich.

Gameplay Steps

1. Shuffle the deck and deal 2 cards to each player. Place the remaining cards face down in the center to form the draw pile. 
2. Youngest player goes first.
3. On your turn:
   • Draw a card from the draw pile.
   • Play a card if it helps build a sandwich, or discard if it doesn’t (start a discard pile).
   • To start a sandwich, place a Bread card in front of you.
4. Building Your Sandwich: Add cards in the following order:
   • Start with a Bread card.
   • Then add Peanut Butter or Jelly cards in any order.
   • Finish with another Bread card to complete your sandwich.
5. Once a sandwich is complete, start a new one on your next turn.

Remember: You can only draw cards from the draw pile (no taking cards from opponents’ sandwiches unless you have a special card).

Drinking Game Rules for Peanut Butter Card Game

For a casual gathering, turn Peanut Butter & Jelly into a drinking game with a few simple adjustments. These optional rules add a fun twist, but remember to play responsibly!

1. Take a Drink When:
   • You accidentally drop or reveal a card to other players (to keep it lighthearted).
2. Finish Your Drink When:
   • You mistakenly call out “PB&J!” without having the right cards to complete a sandwich. 
3. Assign Drinks:
   • If a player wins three rounds in a row, they get the title of “PB&J Master” and can assign a drink to other players of their choice.
4. Extra Rules for Added Fun:
   • If you complete a sandwich with matching “double” cards (like two peanut butter cards or two jelly cards), you get to skip your next drink or assign an extra drink to another player.
   • For a “perfect PB&J” (where every card drawn was used with no discards), every other player takes a celebratory drink.

Peanut Butter Card Game Variants: Peanuts, Kemps, BS

If you enjoy the Peanut Butter & Jelly card game, try some fun variations! You can even use a standard deck of cards for similar games if you don’t want to DIY. These alternatives adapt easily for different group sizes, game themes, and play styles.

Peanuts Card Game: The Fast-Paced Solitaire Showdown

Peanuts, often called Nertz, is a high-speed, multi-player card game that combines the basics of Solitaire with the thrill of competitive play. Ideal for 2-4 players, Peanuts requires each player to have their own deck, creating a lively race to clear their piles and score points.

1. Objective: Players aim to clear their “Nertz pile” (or “Peanuts pile”) by playing cards in ascending order onto shared foundation stacks in the center. Each player races against others to place their cards while following suit and sequence.
2. Setup:
   • Each player shuffles a standard deck and sets up a “Nertz pile” of 13 cards face down, with the top card turned face-up.
   • Players also have a personal tableau where they organize their remaining cards for easier access during the game.
3. Gameplay:
   • All players play simultaneously, without taking turns, which makes for a frantic pace.
   • Players place cards from their Nertz pile onto the shared foundations or move them to their tableau, freeing up cards to reach the bottom of the Nertz pile.
   • The first player to clear their Nertz pile shouts “Nertz!” ending the round. Players earn points based on the number of cards played to the center, with a deduction for any remaining Nertz cards.
4. Why You’ll Love It: Peanuts is a blend of skill, speed, and strategic thinking. It’s perfect for those who enjoy Solitaire but want the excitement of direct competition with others.

Kemps Card Game: The Team-Based Secret Signal Game

Kemps is a clever team-based game that revolves around secretly signaling your partner to win. This variant is all about teamwork and stealth, as players work together to gather matching cards without letting the other teams catch on.

Objective: Players aim to collect four of a kind (e.g., four Kings or four Aces) and then signal their partner using a prearranged gesture. The first team to successfully signal without being caught wins the round.

Setup:

1. Teams: Divide players into pairs, seating teammates across from each other.
2. Cards: Use a standard 52-card deck. Deal four cards to each player, and place the remaining cards in the center as a draw pile.
3. Agree on Signals: Before starting, each team decides on a discreet signal (like scratching one’s nose or tapping a finger) to indicate when one partner has collected four of a kind.

Gameplay:

1. Drawing and Swapping Cards:
   • Players can swap one of their four cards for a new one from the center pile, aiming to build a set of four matching cards.
   • The card-swapping process is fast-paced, and each player decides which cards to keep or discard to improve their chances of getting four of a kind.
2. Signaling and Calling Kemps:
   • Once a player has four of a kind, they discreetly use their prearranged signal to alert their partner.
   • If the partner notices and confidently calls “Kemps!” the team wins the round and earns a point.
   • Counter Kemps: If an opposing team notices the signal before “Kemps” is called, they can call “Counter Kemps!” to stop the point. If they’re correct, the signaling team loses the round.
3. Scoring and Penalties:
   • Keep track of scores, either counting successful “Kemps” calls for each team or giving letters in the word “KEMPS” as a penalty.
   • The first team to spell “KEMPS” loses the game.

Why You’ll Love It: Kemps adds an exciting twist of communication and secrecy, making it a hit with players who enjoy teamwork and strategy. The thrill of using secret signals (and catching others’ signals) makes Kemps both fun and unpredictable.

BS Card Game: The Ultimate Game of Deception

BS (also known as Bullshit or Cheat) is a classic party game that centers on bluffing and calling out lies. Perfect for 2 or more players, BS is all about deception and quick thinking, as players try to play cards without getting caught in a bluff.

Objective: The goal in BS is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards. The trick is to avoid being challenged on a bluff, as a failed attempt means taking the entire pile back into your hand.

Setup:

1. Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck for up to four players. For five or more players, combine two 52-card decks.
2. Deal: Shuffle and deal the cards as evenly as possible among all players. With odd numbers, some players may have one card more or less than others.
3. Organize: Players can look at their hands and plan their strategy, arranging cards discreetly so no one else sees their ranks.

Gameplay:

1. Players take turns placing cards face down in the center pile and announcing what rank they’ve played (e.g., “two fours”), regardless of the actual cards.
2. If another player suspects a bluff, they can call “Bullshit” or “Bluff.” If the call is correct, the bluffer takes the entire pile. If the call is wrong, the accuser takes the pile instead.
3. The game continues until one player successfully gets rid of all their cards, winning the game.

Why You’ll Love It: BS is an engaging mix of poker-like bluffing and quick reactions. It’s a perfect game for players who enjoy reading others and taking risks.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Card Game Variations

For those looking to bring an extra dash of creativity (and laughs) to the Peanut Butter & Jelly card game, here are some unique, funny, and totally customizable game twists! Each variation offers a new way to play with a flavorful blend of teamwork, chaos, and unexpected challenges—making this classic game feel brand new.

1. Double Decker Sandwich Challenge

This variation ups the complexity by having players make “double decker” sandwiches with two sets of each ingredient—double the peanut butter, double the jelly, and two bread slices for that extra layer. It’s a great way to extend the game and add more strategic thinking.

• Rules: Players can only call “PB&J!” after they’ve gathered two of each ingredient in their hand.
• Wild Twist: If a player accidentally shouts “PB&J!” without a full double-decker, they have to discard half of their sandwich cards and start building again.
• Extra Fun: The player who finishes a double-decker can assign any other player to “toast” their sandwich, which means that player has to hold their cards under the table for one full turn.

2. The Crust Cutters

In this “sophisticated” variation, everyone is playing to make a “crust-free” PB&J, which requires collecting all the ingredients without any bread cards. It sounds simple, but players have to navigate around all those pesky bread cards while building their crustless masterpiece.

• Rules: Bread cards act as “obstacles” in this version, and players can only discard them by passing them to an opponent after their turn.
• Challenge Mode: If a player mistakenly draws or keeps a bread card, they have to hold it up like a “slice” over their head for the round. If another player completes their sandwich while they’re holding it, they take a penalty turn (or sip, if playing as a drinking game).
• Victory Move: The first player to complete a crust-free sandwich can declare themselves “Master of the Crustless,” and all other players have to give them a dramatic toast.

3. Jam Session: Musical PB&J

Turn up the fun by adding a musical twist! In this version, players need to complete their sandwich before a song of the “Peanut Butter & Jelly Master”’s choice finishes playing.

• Setup: Designate one player as the “DJ” (or Peanut Butter & Jelly Master) to choose a song that sets the vibe for the round.
• Rules: Players race to complete their sandwiches before the song ends. If the song finishes before they’ve completed their sandwich, they’re “toast” and must sit out the rest of the round.
• Encore Twist: The DJ can call “Encore!” to replay the song one time. During the Encore, players must “dance” (a small move or gesture) every time they draw a new card.
• Bonus Points: The player who wins can become DJ for the next round and assign a “jam” (extra cards) to one player of their choice.

4. Peanut Butter & Jelly Relay Race

For a team-based twist, try this relay variation where players work in pairs to make the perfect PB&J.

• Setup: Pair players into teams, with each team member receiving half the ingredient cards.
• Rules: Only one player on each team can play at a time. They must signal to their partner (without speaking) when they’ve placed a card, and the partner takes over to play the next card.
• Penalty Twist: If a player speaks to their partner or messes up the sequence, the entire team has to shuffle their hands and start over.
• Victory Reward: When a team finishes their sandwich, they can assign a “sandwich slap” to an opposing team, which means that team has to skip their turn and pass a card to the winners.

5. Jelly Stains and Peanut Butter Fingers

This version brings a fun physical element into play. Each time a player draws a card they don’t need, they must “decorate” themselves with a peanut butter or jelly “stain”—like a sticker, pen mark, or small funny object.

• Rules: Players keep these “stains” until they complete their sandwich, and the player with the fewest stains by the end of the game wins extra points.
• Funny Twist: If a player gets caught with an “excessive amount of jelly” (i.e., too many useless cards), they must play the rest of the round with their “peanut butter fingers” (playing cards only with one hand).
• Ultimate Stain Master: The player with the most “stains” by the end must declare “I am the ultimate PB&J!” and do a funny dance or song in honor of their sandwich skills.

Each of these variations adds new layers of fun and laughter to the Peanut Butter & Jelly card game. Whether you’re playing as a family, with friends, or even in teams, these twists are guaranteed to bring everyone closer together for a memorable game night. Enjoy your PB&J adventure!

FAQs for Peanut Butter & Related Card Games