How to play Idiot
Idiot (better known in pubs as Shithead, and as Palace in app stores) is a race to get rid of three layers of cards: your hand, your three face-up cards, and finally three face-down cards played blind. Every play must be equal to or higher than the pile's top card, aces high. Stuck? You eat the whole pile. Last player still holding cards is the idiot.
- 2 — plays on anything, resets the pile to zero.
- 5 — plays on anything and forces the next play to be five or lower.
- 10 — plays on anything, burns the pile out of the game, and you go again. Four of a kind on top burns too.
- The swap — before the first card, exchange hand cards with your face-up row.
- The gamble — you may always flip the top deck card blind onto the pile; if it misses, the pile is yours.
Strategy tips that keep you off the idiot seat
- Load your face-up row. Swap 2s, 10s and aces up top — they're played exactly when the pile is most dangerous.
- Shed low early. While the deck refills your hand, dump 3s and 4s freely; they're dead weight once drawing stops.
- Hoard pairs. Two 7s played together are twice the shed for one turn — and four of a kind is a free burn.
- Use the 5 as a trap. Forcing five-or-lower onto a player holding court cards makes them eat the pile — the closest thing this game has to a checkmate.
- Taking the pile isn't always losing. A pile full of 2s, 5s and 10s is ammunition. Taking ten random middle cards, though — that's how idiots are made.
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules of the Idiot card game?
Each player gets three face-down cards, three face-up cards on top of them, and a three-card hand. Play cards equal to or higher than the top of the pile (aces high), drawing back up to three while the deck lasts. Can't play? Take the whole pile. Once your hand and the deck are empty you play your face-up cards, then your face-down cards blind. First player rid of everything wins — the loser is the idiot.
What do the special cards do in Idiot?
A 2 can be played on anything and resets the pile — anything may follow it. A 5 can also be played on anything and forces the next play to be five or lower. A 10 goes on anything, burns the whole pile out of the game, and lets you play again. Four cards of the same rank on top of the pile also burn it.
Why should I swap cards before the game starts?
Your face-up cards are played late, when the pile is nastiest — so strong cards (2s, 10s, aces, kings) belong up there. The swap phase lets you exchange hand cards with your face-up row before the first card is played. It's the single biggest strategic decision in the game.
Can I play a card from the deck without looking at it?
Yes — you may always gamble by flipping the top deck card straight onto the pile. If it fits, great; if it doesn't, you pick up the whole pile including that card. It's a desperation move, or a fun way to dodge wrecking your own hand.
Is Idiot the same as Shithead or Palace?
Yes — Idiot is the polite name for the game known in pubs as Shithead and published digitally as Palace or Karma. Rules vary by house; this version uses the common online rules with 2s, 5s and 10s as the magic cards.
Can I play Idiot offline or on my phone?
The game runs entirely in your browser and works on phones, tablets and desktops. Your game in progress is saved automatically, so you can close the tab and pick up where you left off.
More free card games
More shedding chaos? Try Switch or Crazy Eights. Prefer a calmer duel against Emma? Deal out some Gin Rummy.