How to Play Blitz Card Game
Need a game that’s lightning-fast, super fun, and gets everyone shouting? Look no further than Blitz! (Some folks call it Scat, Thirty-One, whatever…it’s ALL awesome).
Get ready to race against the clock, build stacks, and outplay your friends in this crazy card showdown. This guide’s got the full scoop – rules, tips, and everything you need to become a Blitz master.
This game simply revolves around counting cards and numbers, meaning it’s suitable for all ages!
What You Need
- 52-card deck
How to Play
Objective: Collect three cards of the same suit to get as close to 31 as possible when adding up the card values.
Start the game by appointing a dealer. No rules to this – we suggest went to the bathroom last. Shuffle the cards.
The dealer then deals one card to each player until every player has three cards. A standard rule here – you’ll never have more than three cards.
Place the deck in the middle of the group. This is now your “draw pile“. Take the top card of the draw pile, flip it face up, and place it next to the draw pile. This is now the “discard pile“.
Keep your hands to yourself and check what you have.
With cards in hand, starting with the player to the left of the dealer, each player draws and discards one card. Remember, you’re aiming for three cards of the same suit with the highest possible totals. However, are other players opting for the same cards as you?
Each turn, either take a card from the top of the draw pile or discard pile. Once you’ve picked a card, discard a card, so you keep only three cards in hand at all times.
When you feel as though you have a winning hand (three cards of the same suit with values as close to 31 as possible), you knock on the table.
Every other player then gets one more turn to draw and discard a card until you’re back at the player who knocks.
Then we show hands, starting with the knocker.
Scoring
Now you add up and score points.
- Ace: 11 Points
- Jack, Queen, King: 10 points
- 2 – 10: They’re number value.
In the example above, players have scored as follows:
Player 1: 15
Player 2: 30
Player 3: 29
So, Player 2 wins.
However, a “Blitz” is where you have two face cards (king, queen, or jack) and an ace.
If Player 3 shouts “Blitz” and then knock on the table at the beginning of their turn, the round ends and they show their cards.
Player 3 then wins the round automatically, regardless of what the other players have.
IMPORTANT: You must say (or shout) Blitz and then knock at the beginning of your turn. if you pick up an Ace and you’re ready to win, you must discard your fourth card and wait until the start of your next turn.
If, during the final rounds of the other players after Blitz has been called, that player drawing the Blitz gets an automatic 31 points.
If, in the example above, Player 2 knocks first on 30 points and then Player 3 draws a face card or ace for a Blitz during their final turn, Player 2 has already knocked, so the blitz is worth 31 points.
Therefore, Player 3 still wins because they have 31 points, whereas Player 2 only has 30.
What Happens During a Tie?
In the event of a tie, the player who knocked loses.
As you can see, this is a nice, quick, and easy game that you can play as many or as few rounds of as you please!
This game is best enjoyed with larger groups, although it’s certainly possible with just two people, and it’s meant to be played hard and fast, so get stuck in!
Tips and Strategies for Blitz
Blitz is an incredibly simple card game that almost anyone can pick up and learn in minutes. It’s best played fast and casual, without too many try-hard approaches.
However, there are a few strategies that can help you and other players adopt the flow of the game a little quicker. If you’re betting on winners, then you’ll certainly want to aim to improve your game.
- You will only ever win with a blitz if you have an ace. Therefore, pick up every ace you see to maximize your chances of winning, as well as depriving other players of their potential winning Blitz card.
- Keep an eye on what other players are picking up. If you see face cards of certain suits being picked up, these cards are taken. You don’t want to end up waiting for cards other players are already holding.
