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Official California Speed Rules
California Speed is a fast-faced and exciting shedding card game, perfect for two players. Here's a breakdown of the rules to get you started:
Objective
The goal in California Speed is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards.
Setup
1. Shuffle the Deck: Shuffle the deck of cards well.
2. Deal the Cards: Deal all 52 cards evenly between the two players, face down. Each player should hold their cards in a deck without revealing them to their opponent.
Gameplay
The game is played simultaneously, meaning both players are essentially racing to get rid of their cards. Here's what happens:
Flip Four Cards: Each player simultaneously flips the top four cards of their deck face up in a row in front of themself, creating a row of four cards.
Matching Sets: Look for matching sets (two, three, or four cards of the same rank) among the eight cards (four from each player) now facing up on the table.
Slapping and Discarding: If you see a matching set, be the first to slap the matching cards on the table with your hand. The player who slaps the matching set first gets to discard those cards from the table. Discard all matching cards (including any extras that might be part of a larger set).
Continue Flipping and Slapping: After discarding a matching set, both players immediately flip over the top card from their deck (face up) next to their existing row of four cards. This creates a new row of five cards, and the process of searching for matching sets and slapping continues.
Winning the Game
Empty Deck Wins: The first player to get rid of all their cards in their deck wins the game!
Notes/Variations
Calling Out Matches: In a variation, instead of slapping the table, you can call out "match" if you see a matching set. The first player to call out "match" gets to discard the matching cards. This can add some verbal challenge and excitement to the game.
Stay Alert: Keep your eyes focused on all eight cards on the table, scanning for potential matching sets.
Quick Reactions: Be fast with your hand to slap the matching set first if you see it.
Discard Strategy: Once you discard a matching set, try to remember which cards are no longer in play to avoid accidentally slapping them again later.
California Speed is a fast-paced and fun game that requires focus, quick reflexes, and a bit of luck. Have fun and see who can shed their cards the fastest!
