what we're playing: speed-a fast and fun card game for two

playing card games is one of my favorite childhood memories, and it's a tradition i'm determined to pass down to my kids. but let's be honest—getting them excited about a game from a regular deck of cards isn’t always easy (even if it's beautiful). given the choice, they're more likely to want to play sushi-go, sabobatage, or another trendy game. i've found a trick though. teaching them super quick card games that fit into life’s little in-between moments—waiting at an appointment, whiling away those long minutes that dinner is in the oven, or winding down before bedtime. and my favorite game for this right now is speed. so i've put together a how to play tutorial and a freebie printable guide if you make it to the bottom of this post!

what is speed: fast hands + endless fun

speed is a fast-paced, two-player card game that lives up to it's name. in speed, there is no turn taking—just joy-inducing, rapid fire play. it's the perfect game for kids (and adults) who don't love waiting and want non-stop action. the goal is simple—be the first to get rid of your cards by playing them onto the center piles. speed is a thrilling test of focus, reflexes, and just the right amount of friendly competition. 

speed setup: what you need + how to deal

to play speed, all you need is a standard deck of 52 playing cards, 5 to 15 minutes (depending on the number of re-matches demanded), and a little space. this could be a coffee table, a spot on the floor, or even the couch if you position yourself just right (ask me how i know...). from my sample size of 2 kids, i find that this games works well for ages seven and up.

to deal, remove the jokers and shuffle the deck well. deal each player 20 cards—5 for their starting hand and 15 as a face-down draw pile. in the center, deals two side piles of 5 cards each, and finally two game play piles, each with 1 card.

speed gameplay: rules + strategy

before the game begins, each player can look at and organize their 5-card hand. play starts with each player flipping over a card in the game play piles. players then place cards from their hand onto either pile based on these two simple rules:

1. the card value is one higher than the card in the pile
2. the card value is one lower than the card in the pile

note: the face card order is jack, queen, king (i chant this to my youngest as we play). 2s are low and kings are high. aces can be either lower than a 2 or higher than a king, allowing for looping stacks. for example: K -> A -> 2 -> A -> K -> Q. 

there are no turns. players play cards from their hands onto either game play pile following these 2 rules as quickly as possible. if two players try to put down a card on the same pile at the same time, the play goes to whichever player's card is on the bottom and the other player puts their card back into their hand.

when players play cards from their hands, they add new cards from their draw pile, always keeping a 5 card hand. this is where some strategy comes into play, as sometimes the best strategy is to quickly play 2 or more cards from your hand before redrawing.

if no one can play any more cards, both players simultaneously flip a card from the side piles onto the game play piles, and the game continues. if all cards are played from the side piles, shuffle the gameplay piles to create new side piles.

when a player has used up all of their draw pile and has no more cards in their hand, they shout “SPEED” and win the game (the shouting is optional).

speed variations: fun twists + fast challenges

sometimes we like to add some variations for a fun twist. here are a few that we like. if you have others, be sure to share them in the comments!

1. doubles: in this version, you can also play a card with the same value as the top card on a game play pile. this small tweak makes speed a little easier—especially for younger players who are just learning the game.
2. piles: instead of playing cards one at a time, players can place an entire sequence of cards onto a game play pile at once--as long as they follow the play rules. playing this way can really frustrate your opponent (in a fun way!) and adds a new layer of strategy as you plan your moves in advance.
3. jokers wild: add the jokers back into the deck and use them as wild cards! in this variation, players start with 16 cards in their draw pile instead of 15. when played, a joker can represent either the next higher or lower card, giving you a way out of a tough spot. the catch? any joker in your hand must be played before flipping side pile cards, so timing is everything.
   

get our speed guide + always be ready for fun

want to always be ready for a game of speed in the in-betweens? we've got you covered. join the little wren post with the sign up below and get access to our freebie library, packed with exclusive printables—including a pocket-sized speed guide you can take anywhere! i've selfishly sized it to fit into my woodland wandering deck, but you can also print it at 85% to fit in a standard card box.