Last Updated on April 9, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

President, also known as Scum, is a shedding-type card game where players aim to get rid of all their cards to rise in social status. The game features a hierarchical structure, with the “President” having advantages and the “Scum” facing disadvantages. This page provides a clear breakdown of the rules, guiding you through the card playing, ranking system, and social dynamics that define this game.

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How to Play President

President is a popular shedding card game where players compete to get rid of all their cards as quickly as possible. The game is best played with 4 to 7 players and involves a ranking system where the first player to go out becomes the President in the next round, while the last player is the Loser (or Scum/Peasant).

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Objective

The goal is to be the first player to play all your cards to become the President in the next round. Players ranked lower may have disadvantages in the following rounds.

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Setup

Number of Players:

• 4 to 7 players (best with 5-6).

Deck Composition:

• A standard 52-card deck is used.
• With 6+ players, consider adding a second deck.

Card Ranking (Lowest to Highest):

3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 10 → J → Q → K → A → 2 (2 is the highest card).

Dealing Cards:

• Shuffle the deck and deal all the cards evenly to players.
• Some players might have one extra card if the deck doesn’t divide evenly.

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Gameplay

1. Starting the Round

• The player with the 3 of Clubs starts by playing a single card or a set of matching cards (e.g., two 7s).

2. Playing Cards

• Players take turns playing a card or set of cards that match the number of cards played before.
• The new play must be of equal or higher rank (e.g., a pair of 9s beats a pair of 7s).
• If a player cannot or chooses not to play, they pass.
• If all players pass, the last person to play a card starts a new trick with any card or set.

3. Special Rules

• Twos (2s) Are the Highest: A single 2 beats everything, and the trick ends immediately. The player who played the 2 starts the next trick.
• Skipping (Jumping Over): Some variations allow skipping turns when a double or triple is played.
• Bombs (Optional Rule): Four-of-a-kind can be played anytime to instantly clear the pile.

4. Winning the Round

• The first player to play all their cards wins the round and becomes President.
• The second player becomes the Vice President.
• The last player to go out is the Loser (Scum/Peasant).

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Ranking and Card Exchange (For the Next Round)

After each round, players get a new ranking:

1. President (1st place)
2. Vice President (2nd place)
3. Neutral Players (Middle ranks)
4. Vice Scum (2nd last place)
5. Scum (Last place, also called Peasant or Loser)

Before the next round:

• The Scum gives their best two cards to the President.
• The President gives back any two unwanted cards.
• If playing with a Vice President and Vice Scum, they exchange one card.

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Winning the Game

• The game continues for multiple rounds until a set score is reached (e.g., first to 3 rounds as President) or for a set time.
• There is no single winner, but players compete to stay President as long as possible.

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Similar Climbing & Shedding Games

• Daifugō – The Japanese version of President with slightly different card exchange rules.
• The Great Dalmuti – A commercial variant with medieval-themed ranks and structured taxation.
• Big Two – A Chinese climbing game using poker hands instead of singles and sets.
• Tichu – A strategic team-based climbing game with special wild cards

President is a fast-paced, fun, and competitive card game that rewards strategy, alliances, and clever play. The game’s social hierarchy adds excitement, as players battle to climb to the top and avoid being stuck as the Scum!