Official CARDJACKED Rules

Last Updated on August 20, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

CardJacked is a fast-paced party card game where players race to collect sets, sabotage opponents, and react quickly to shifting rules. With its mix of strategy and chaos, every round is unpredictable and full of surprises.

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How to Play CARDJACKED

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Overview

Players: 4–10
Ages: 8+
Playtime: 20+ minutes

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Game Components

• 75 Game Cards (numbered 1–14)
• 30 Life Cards
• 2 Reference Cards
• 1 Action Die
• 1 Dealer Button

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Objective

Survive each round by avoiding being stuck with the lowest-value card. The last player with at least one life card remaining wins the game.

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Key Terms

“Jack” (verb): To steal a card from another player. Example: “You can jack the card from the player to your left.”

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The Action Die

• Jack Left – Swap your card with the player on your left.
• Jack Right – Swap your card with the player on your right.
• Jack Anyone – Swap your card with any player of your choice.
• Draw 2 – Discard your current card, then draw two from the pile. Keep one, discard the other.
• Lose Turn – Skip your turn this round.
• Wild – Choose any action above OR draw a card, then keep one and discard the other.

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Card Values

• Cards are numbered 1 (lowest) to 14 (highest).
• Suits don’t matter for value.
• In ties, the gem order decides:
  Diamond > Ruby > Emerald > Sapphire > Onyx (highest to lowest).

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Setup

1. Each player starts with 3 Life Cards, placed life-side up.
2. Shuffle the Game Cards. Each player draws one — the highest card becomes the dealer. Place the Dealer Button in front of them.
3. The dealer reshuffles the deck and deals 1 card facedown to each player. Players may look at their own card.
4. Place the rest of the deck in the middle as the draw pile.

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Safe Card Rule

If you’re dealt the Safe Card, flip it faceup immediately. Once revealed, that card can’t be jacked. If you forget to reveal it, you’re still at risk of losing it.

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Gameplay

1. The player to the left of the dealer goes first and rolls the Action Die.
2. They must either:
   • Perform the die’s action, OR
   • Draw a card from the pile. If they draw, they must discard one card faceup to the discard pile, keeping only 1 card in hand.
3. Play continues clockwise.
4. Once everyone, including the dealer, has taken a turn, all players reveal their cards.
   • The player with the lowest-value card loses one life (flip a Life Card facedown).
   • If multiple players tie for lowest, use the gem hierarchy to decide.

The round ends, and the dealer button passes left. If enough cards remain in the draw pile, deal 1 new card to each player and continue without reshuffling.

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Player Elimination

• Lose all 3 of your Life Cards = you’re out.
• The last player with at least one Life Card wins CARDJACKED.

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Alternate Gameplay

For a longer, more strategic game:

• Play two rounds of turns before everyone reveals their cards.
• This allows more opportunities for bluffing, swapping, and deception.

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CARDJACKED FAQ