INTRODUCTION
A simple bluffing game which is fun to play but tough to win. The skill is to work out if opponents are telling the truth or telling a lie.

HOW TO PLAY CHEAT

THE DEAL

All cards are dealt evenly between players. It does not matter if some players have one more card than others. Players sort their cards by numbers.

THE PLAY

Player one plays one to four cards (or one to eight with two decks) face down in the center of the table. They declare how many cards they have played and the cards e.g. three 4’s.

HOW TO WIN
The first player who plays all of their cards is the winner.
The game ends when there is a winner.

HIGHER OR LOWER

The next player must then play one or more cards that are one higher or lower than the cards previously declared. In this example they can only declare their card(s) to be 3’s or 5’s.

Players do not need to tell the truth when they declare the card(s) they play.

CALLING CHEAT

Any player who believes someone else is not telling the truth can call “cheat” while placing their hand on the pile. This can be said at any time. After calling “cheat” the cards that were just played are turned over.

CHECKING CARDS

The cards are then checked to see if the value and the number of cards match what was declared e.g. one 3 . If the challenger is correct, then the lying player collects all the cards in the pile, e.g. with one A as above. If the challenger was wrong, then they pick up all of the cards.

RESTARTING

The game restarts with the player to the left of the player that picked up the cards. They can declare any cards. Play continues with one turn each until a player calls “cheat”.

RESTARTING

The A can be played as a high or low card, e.g. after a player declares 2’s or K’s the next player has the option to declare A’s.

ENDING THE GAME

Whoever plays all their cards first wins. A new game is then started.

VIDEO OF HOW TO PLAY CHEAT

STRATEGY

The lower the number of cards declared, the lower the chance of others calling “cheat”.

Some players will play more cards than they declare.

TIPS

It can be better to call “cheat” before a player’s last turn instead of risking playing the last card if a lie is needed.

EXTRAS

Players cannot touch the pile unless they call “cheat”.

VARIATIONS

Add one or more additional rules for when players can slap:
– Players can pass rather than play. When this happens, they cannot rejoin until the round is finished
– The round continues until all players have passed or “cheat” is called. If all players but one passes, they burn the cards and start the next round
– A slightly different version is when players declare cards in sequence with the first player having to play A’s, the second 2’S and so on up to K’s. Allow players to play the same value card that was just played

SIMILAR GAMES

  • I Doubt It
  • Bragging
  • Lying

FAQ

The most common questions will be added here. Scroll to the bottom of the page to add a question or comment about this game.