Shithead Yorkshire: The Ultimate Card Game

Shithead Yorkshire: A Proper Good Card Game!

Alright, listen up, you lot! If you're looking for a card game that's a bit more than just 'snap' and a lot more fun than a rainy Tuesday, you've come to the right place. We're talking Shithead Yorkshire – a beloved pub classic with a Project Beer twist that'll have you grinning like a Cheshire cat... or should that be a Yorkshire terrier?

This game is all about getting rid of your cards and not being the 'shithead' left holding them. It's easy to learn, brilliantly chaotic, and just the ticket for a night in with your mates and a few cold ones. Just remember, play hard, but always drink responsibly, eh?

What You'll Need

• A standard 52-card deck (no jokers, unless you fancy a wild variant!)
• 2-6 players (the more the merrier, but keep it manageable!)
• Your favourite Project Beer beverages (responsibly consumed, of course!)
• A table or flat surface for all the card-slinging action.

Setup: Get Your Game Face On!

This bit's crucial, so pay attention:

1. Deal 'em Out: Each player gets nine cards.
2. The Face-Down Three: From those nine, each player selects three cards to place face-down in front of them. These are your 'shithead' cards – your last resort! You CANNOT look at these until they're your only option.
3. The Face-Up Three: Next, each player selects three more cards from their remaining hand and places them face-up on top of their face-down cards. These are your visible 'power-ups' for later.
4. Your Starting Hand: The remaining three cards are your starting hand. Keep 'em secret, keep 'em safe!
5. The Draw Pile: The rest of the deck goes face-down in the middle of the table, forming the draw pile.

How to Play: It's All About Getting Rid!

The aim of the game is simple: be the first player to get rid of ALL your cards – your hand, your face-up cards, AND your face-down cards. The last player left with cards is crowned the 'shithead'.

1. First Player: The player with the lowest card (usually a 3) in their starting hand goes first. If no one has a 3, then a 4, and so on. They play it to start the discard pile.
2. Playing Cards: On your turn, you must play a card (or multiple cards of the same rank) that is equal to or higher than the card(s) currently on top of the discard pile.
3. Drawing Cards: After you play, if you have fewer than three cards in your hand, you must draw cards from the draw pile until you have three again. This doesn't apply once the draw pile is empty.
4. Taking the Pile: If you cannot (or choose not to) play a valid card, you must pick up the entire discard pile and add it to your hand. Ouch! Your turn then ends.
5. Empty Hand, Face-Up, Then Face-Down: Once your hand is empty and the draw pile is gone, you start playing your face-up cards. You play them one at a time, following the usual rules. When your face-up cards are gone, you then play your face-down cards, one at a time, without looking at them until you've picked one. If the card you pick can't be played, you take the pile!

The Yorkshire Grit: A Twist on the 7!

This is where the 'Yorkshire' really kicks in! We like a bit of grit up North, and we don't back down easily. So, when a 7 is played:

• The next player MUST play a card that is LOWER than a 7.
• If they cannot, or choose not to, they must take the entire discard pile. No soft lads here!

Special Cards: Your Secret Weapons!

Some cards aren't just numbers; they're game-changers! Learn 'em, love 'em, use 'em wisely:

• 2 (Any Card): A '2' is a wild card. It can be played on ANY card, even other special cards, and the next player can play anything they like. It resets the pile!
• 7 (The Yorkshire Grit): As above, playing a 7 means the next player MUST play a card lower than a 7.
• 8 (Skip Go): Play an '8', and the next player loses their turn. Great for messing with your mates!
• 10 (Burn Pile): The mighty '10'! Playing a 10 immediately burns the entire discard pile. It's removed from play, and the player who played the 10 gets to play any card they wish to start a new pile. A real lifesaver!
• Ace (High Card): An Ace is the highest non-special card. Nothing beats an Ace (unless it's a 2 or a 10).
• Four of a Kind (Instant Burn): If you manage to play four cards of the same rank in a single turn (e.g., four 5s), you also burn the pile! You then start a new pile with any card you choose.

Winning the Game

The first player to successfully get rid of all their cards – from their hand, then their face-up cards, then their face-down cards – is the winner! Everyone else continues playing until only one poor soul is left holding cards. That, my friends, is your 'Shithead'. Time for a forfeit, perhaps?

Variations & House Rules

Shithead is famous for its endless house rules! Feel free to adapt:

• Jokers: Some play with jokers as super-wild cards, perhaps burning the pile or skipping all players.
• Different Special Cards: The exact function of cards like 3s, 5s, or 9s can vary wildly between groups. Agree on your rules before you start!
• Reverse Order: Some variants have a card (e.g., a 9) reverse the playing order.

Drink Responsibly, Play Enthusiastically!

At Project Beer, we're all about good times and great drinks. But remember, the best parties are safe parties. Please enjoy your beverages responsibly, know your limits, and look out for your mates. This game is fun enough without going overboard!

Now, go forth, play some Shithead Yorkshire, and may the best (or least shithead-y) player win!