Game Rules
SpeedFaster than your opponent

The fastest card game ever. Discard cards as quickly as possible – the first one to run out wins.

Players2
Duration5 – 15 Min
Deck52 Cards
LevelEasy
I · Game Idea

Reflexes instead
of Strategy

I

Speed is a pure reaction game for two players. Both players discard cards simultaneously – no turns, no order. The first one to get rid of all their cards wins.

Cards match if their value is 1 higher or lower than the top discard card. Ace can be placed above King or below 2.

II · Preparation

Before the
Game Begins

II
1
Divide cards
52 cards equally: 26 per player.
2
Layout
Each player places 5 hand cards face up. Between players: 2 face-down piles, 2 empty discard spaces.
3
Start
Both players simultaneously reveal the top card of the middle piles – game starts immediately.
III · Card Values
What counts
in Speed
III
±1
Matching Card
1 higher/lower
A card matches if its value is exactly 1 higher or 1 lower than the top discard card.
A
Ace
Flexible
Ace matches King (above) and 2 (below) – connects the sequence.
⚡
Simultaneously
No Waiting
Both players discard simultaneously – no turns, no pauses.
↺
Restart
Both Blocked
If both cannot discard: reveal new cards from the middle piles.
IV · Gameplay

Round by
Round

IV
1
Start Simultaneously
Both players reveal middle pile cards – start playing immediately.
2
Discard Cards
As quickly as possible, play matching cards onto one of the two discard piles.
3
Replenish Hand Cards
Always keep 5 hand cards – draw from your own pile.
4
Restart
Both blocked: new starting cards from the middle piles.
5
Win
The player who is first to get rid of all their cards (hand + pile) wins. Usually played best of 3 or 5.
V · Variants
Variants
V

Speed has many regional variants with slightly different rules.

S
Spit
American variant: slightly different layout rules.
N
Nertz
Multiplayer variant with up to 8 players, each with their own deck.
L
Slam
Only one discard pile – even faster.
Z
Slow Speed
Alternating turns instead of simultaneous – for beginners.
Berlin Hold'em · Matching Decks
Get the right deck

Speed requires cards that can be grabbed in a flash. Our decks are made exactly for that.

View All Designs →
20s Playing Cards – Double Pack For larger groups and long game nights. View Product Viking Playing Cards – Double Pack Two decks, suitable for 5+ players. View Product
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