Hey there, party people! If you’re reading this, you’ve probably found yourself in a situation where someone casually mentioned, “Let’s play Presidents and Assholes,” and you nodded along, secretly hoping they weren’t about to pull out some complicated card game from the 1800s. Fear not! Presidents and Assholes (often called “P&A”) is the perfect blend of strategy, luck, and pure, unfiltered chaos—a recipe for any unforgettable night.
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What is the Presidents and Assholes Card Game?
Presidents and Assholes is a classic card game that’s best enjoyed with a group of friends, some beverages of your choice, and a good sense of humor. The goal? Climb your way to the top (the presidency) or at least avoid hitting rock bottom (the asshole spot).
Presidents and Assholes is the kind of game that fits right in, no matter where you are—whether you’re relaxing in the living room, soaking up the sun in the backyard, or enjoying a vacation getaway. The beauty of it? The game’s hilarious twists and drinking rules make it a blast anywhere. So, whether you’re aiming for the top spot or just trying not to end up as the “asshole,” you’re in for a good time and plenty of laughs.
How to Play Presidents and Assholes: The Rules
Setting Up the Game
- A standard deck of 52 cards (no Jokers, because they have enough games of their own)
- 4 to 7 players (though more can join if you’re feeling adventurous)
- Some drinks, if you want to add a boozy twist (optional, but let’s be honest, highly encouraged)
Dealing the Cards
- Shuffle the Deck: Give the deck a good shuffle. You don’t want anyone accusing you of rigging the game before it even starts.
- Deal All the Cards: Deal out the entire deck evenly among all players. Some players might get one more card than others, but don’t worry—it’s all part of the fun.
- The First Round: The player with the 3 of Clubs starts the game by playing that card face up on the table. Don’t have the 3 of Clubs? Don’t sweat it; just wait your turn. If no one plays it, someone might’ve forgotten how to shuffle. Oops!
The Gameplay: From Nobodies to Presidents (and Assholes)
Here’s where the game gets spicy.
- Playing Cards: The goal is to get rid of all your cards. Players take turns playing cards that are equal to or higher than the card on top of the pile. If you don’t have a card that’s high enough, you pass. Simple enough, right?
- Doubles, Triples, and Quads: If you’ve got a pair (or more) of the same rank, you can play them together. This forces the next player to match or beat the number of cards you played. For example, if you play two 6s, the next player has to play two 6s or higher. It’s a great way to mess with your friends.
- Clearing the Deck: If someone plays four of a kind, the deck is cleared, and the same player gets to start a new round with any card of their choosing. It’s like a mini power trip!
- Becoming President: The first player to get rid of all their cards in a round becomes the President for the next round. The second player to finish is the Vice President. The rest are just regular players—until you get to the last person. That unfortunate soul becomes the Asshole.
The Power Structure: It’s Good to Be President!
Once the round is over and the new President and Asshole are crowned, things get interesting.
- Presidential Privileges: The President has the ultimate power. They get to start the next round and make one rule that everyone else has to follow. Want everyone to call you “Your Majesty”? Go for it. The Vice President gets to start second, which is a nice perk.
- The Asshole’s Burden: The Asshole, on the other hand, has to deal with some serious downsides. They’re stuck dealing and shuffling the cards, fetching drinks (if you’re playing with them), and basically doing the President’s bidding. They also have to give their best two cards to the President at the start of the next round, while the President hands them their two worst cards. Ouch!
- Everyone Else: The other players get to keep their dignity and play normally, but the fun comes from trying to climb the ranks—or avoid becoming the Asshole.
Winning Strategies for Presidents and Assholes
To rise to the top and claim the title of President, consider these winning strategies:
Tips and Tricks
- Card Management: Keep track of what cards have been played. This will help you predict what your opponents might have left.
- Social Manipulation: Use your social skills to influence other players. Convince them to target someone else or to play their high cards early.
- Timing is Key: Play your cards strategically. Holding onto high cards until the end can give you a significant advantage.
- Bluffing: Sometimes, it’s not about the cards you have but the confidence you show. If you can convince your opponents you’ve got a killer hand, they might just pass out of fear.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Playing Too Quickly: Take your time to assess the situation. Rushing can lead to poor decisions.
- Ignoring Roles: Don’t underestimate the power of the President. If you’re the Asshole, be prepared for some serious penalties!
Fun Variations of the Presidents and Assholes
Ready to shake things up? Here are some exciting variations of Presidents and Assholes that will keep the game fresh and entertaining:
1. Reverse Presidents and Assholes: Instead of playing cards in ascending order, you play them in descending order. So, you’re trying to get rid of your highest cards first. This reversal totally flips the strategy, keeping everyone on their toes!
2. Kings and Servants: Swap out the titles of President and Asshole with “King” and “Servant.” The King wields powers similar to the President but also gets to command the Servant to perform silly tasks—like singing or dancing. It’s a surefire way to ramp up the hilarity!
3. Waterfall Presidents: Whenever a 2 is played, a “waterfall” begins. The player who played the 2 starts drinking, and the next player must start drinking as soon as the first person does. This continues around the circle, and no one can stop drinking until the person before them does. It’s a fun and fast way to get everyone in a festive mood!
4. Slapjack Style: Introduce a rule where, whenever a Jack or Ace is played, all players must slap the pile. The last person to slap has to pick up the entire pile and add it to their hand. It adds a fun, physical element to the game and keeps things fast-paced!
5. Asshole Immunity: The Asshole can earn “immunity” for the next round by winning a mini-challenge (like a rock-paper-scissors showdown or chugging a drink faster than the President). This gives the Asshole a chance to redeem themselves and adds a fun twist to the game! Hover over to Asshole drinking game, and you can find more fun twists.
6. Themed Rounds: Each round is played with a different theme or rule that everyone must follow. For example:
- Animal Noises: Players must make an animal noise before they play a card.
- Accents: Everyone must speak in a specific accent (British, Southern, etc.).
- No Talking: Silence is golden—no one is allowed to speak during this round, making it much harder to strategize or bluff.
7. Double Trouble: Instead of one President and one Asshole, you have two of each. The top two finishers are Presidents, and the bottom two are Assholes. The Presidents can conspire together, and the Assholes share their misery, making alliances and rivalries even more interesting!
8. Revenge of the Asshole: The Asshole receives a special “Revenge Card” (like a Joker) at the beginning of the game. If they play it, they get to force the President to swap positions with them instantly. This wildcard can dramatically shift the game’s balance!
9. Circle of Death: Every time a face card (Jack, Queen, King) is played, a special action must be performed:
- Jack: Everyone takes a drink.
- Queen: The player who played the card assigns a drink to someone.
- King: The King adds a new rule to the game.
10. Blind Presidents: At the beginning of the game, everyone gets to look at their cards for only 10 seconds. After that, all players must play with their cards face down, relying on memory or pure luck. This leads to some wildly unpredictable and fun rounds!
Conclusion
Now that you’re armed with the rules, strategies, and variations of the Presidents and Assholes drinking game, it’s time to gather your friends and get the party started! Remember, the key to this game is not just about winning but enjoying the experience and making memories. So, pour yourself a drink, shuffle those cards, and may the best player rise to the top!
FAQ About Presidents and Assholes Card Game
What are other games like Presidents and Assholes?
Like that one friend who always seems to know the best drinking games, the origins of the card game “Presidents and Assholes” remain unclear, possibly deriving from Chinese card games like “Big 2” (Deuce). It also has a variety of names, such as Asshole, Scum, President, Capitalism, Kings, and Rich Man, Poor Man. Despite its murky origins, “Presidents and Assholes” has become a global favorite, resulting in numerous names and regional variations.
What are the regional variations of Presidents and Assholes?
1. Japan: Known as “Daihinmin” or “Daifugo,” meaning “Very Rich Man” and “Very Poor Man.” Players aim to shed all their cards, with the round’s winner becoming “Daifugo” and the last player “Daihinmin.”
2. In France: It’s known as “Trou du Cul,” which translates to “Asshole” in English. The name emphasizes the role of the lowest-ranking player and adds a bit of French flair to the game’s competitive nature.
3. In Germany: The game is referred to as “Einer ist immer der Arsch,” meaning “Someone’s Always the Asshole.” This name highlights the game’s central theme of social hierarchy and the challenge of climbing to the top.
4. Australia: Known as “Warlords and Scumbags.” It retains the core gameplay but with Australian cultural twists.
5. Vietnam: Called “Tien Len,” meaning “The Winning Card.” It features unique rules and strategies specific to Vietnamese playstyles.
6. China: Known as “Big Two” or “Zheng Shangyou” (Golden Deuce). It shares similarities with Daihinmin and includes regional variations and rules.
Is Presidents and Assholes a shedding card game?
Yes, “Presidents and Assholes” is a shedding card game. The objective is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards. Players take turns playing cards or sets of cards, and the player with the highest card or best combination usually wins the round. The game often involves a social hierarchy where players’ ranks or statuses can change based on their performance in each round.
What’s the objective of Presidents and Assholes game?
In “Presidents and Assholes,” the goal is simple: be the first to get rid of all your cards and bask in the glory of becoming the President. It’s like real life, but with fewer political scandals and more trash-talking. The last player to finish, on the other hand, earns the prestigious title of Asshole—an honorary position that comes with all the perks of being last. So, play your cards right, and you might just avoid being the Asshole (literally).