Last Updated on April 10, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Stick ‘Em is a fun, fast-paced card game that’s easy to learn and offers a lot of interaction between players. The game involves trying to stick your opponents with penalty cards while avoiding them yourself. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play Stick ‘Em:

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How to Play Stick ‘Em

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Setup

1. Players: Stick ‘Em can be played with 2-6 players, though it’s best with 4-6.
2. Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck. For larger groups, you can add additional decks.
3. Objective: The goal of Stick ‘Em is to be the first player to reach a predetermined score, usually 500 points, without accumulating too many penalty points from stuck cards.

Game Play

1. Deal the Cards: Shuffle the deck and deal each player 5 cards. Place the remaining deck face down in the center to form the draw pile.
2. Playing the Game:
   • Turn Overview: The player to the dealer’s left goes first. On each turn, players must try to play a card that matches either the rank or the suit of the card that is on top of the discard pile. If they cannot play a card, they must draw from the deck until they can play.
   • Special Cards:
     • Stick ‘Em Cards: These cards (usually jokers or specially designated cards) are used to “stick” another player with penalty cards. When you play a Stick ‘Em card, you choose a player to stick with a penalty card.
     • Penalty Cards: These cards are accumulated by players when they are stuck by Stick ‘Em cards. They carry negative points and will affect the player’s score.
3. Ending the Round: A round ends when one player discards all of their cards, or if no one can make a valid play, and the draw pile is empty. The player who discards all their cards first wins the round.

Scoring

• Winning the Round: The player who discards all their cards first scores points based on the cards left in their opponents’ hands. Penalty cards and unplayed cards count against players’ scores.
• Penalty Points: The penalty cards accumulated from being stuck count as negative points. Each penalty card usually has a specific point value.

Ending the Game

• The game continues with rounds being played until one player reaches the predetermined score, usually 500 points.
• The player with the most points after several rounds wins the game.

Strategy Tips

• Keep Track of Cards: Pay attention to what cards your opponents are discarding to try and predict which cards they may have left.
• Use Stick ‘Em Cards Wisely: Don’t waste your Stick ‘Em cards too early, but use them strategically to stick your opponents at the right time.

Conclusion

Stick ‘Em is a fun card game that combines luck and strategy. Whether you’re playing with friends or family, it’s a game that encourages interaction and can lead to a lot of laughs. Keep an eye on your opponents and use your cards wisely to stay ahead and win!