Overview
Play cards face down while claiming what they are, and lie whenever it suits. Also known as BS or I Doubt It.
No governing body publishes rules for this game. This page describes the most common form. House rules vary, so agree them before you start.
1. Setup
Three or more players. Deal the entire deck out as evenly as possible.
2. Play
Cards are played in ascending rank order, starting with aces.
On your turn you place one or more cards face down on the pile and announce what they are — matching the rank currently required.
"Two aces." "One two." "Three threes."
You may lie freely. You may play any cards at all, provided you announce the correct rank and a plausible count.
3. Calling cheat
Any player may call "Cheat!" immediately after a play.
The cards just played are turned over:
- If the player lied, they take the entire pile into their hand.
- If they told the truth, the caller takes the entire pile.
That symmetry is what makes the game work: a wrong accusation is as costly as being caught.
Only the most recent play may be challenged. Once the next player has gone, it is too late.
4. Winning
The first player to shed all their cards wins — but only if their final play goes unchallenged.
If someone calls cheat on your last play and you were lying, you pick up the pile and you are very much back in the game.
5. Strategy
Lie early and small. A single false card on a large pile is rarely worth challenging.
Count what has gone. Four of each rank exist; if three kings have been played honestly, a claim of two kings is a lie.
Watch for players with few cards. Someone down to two is about to lie about something, and calling them is high value.
Do not always lie when you can tell the truth — the pattern is what gets read.
Commonly argued
- You must announce the rank in sequence, whatever you actually play.
- A wrong call costs the caller the pile, which is what keeps challenges honest.
- Only the most recent play can be challenged.
- You cannot win on a successfully challenged final play.
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