How to play Egyptian Rat Screw: Complete rules, setup, gameplay, and strategy tips for beginners.

Egyptian Rat Screw (ERS) is a fast-paced card game that combines the turn-based mechanics of War with frantic slap-reaction gameplay. It’s one of the most popular card games among teenagers and college students, and for good reason — it’s loud, physical, energetic, and hilarious.

What You Need

  • Players: 2-8+ (best with 4-6)
  • Deck: Standard 52-card deck (use 2 decks for 6+ players)
  • Objective: Collect all the cards
  • Time per game: 15-45 minutes
  • Skill required: Reflexes > Strategy

Setup

  1. Deal the entire deck face-down, equally among all players (uneven is fine)
  2. Players hold their cards in a face-down pile — no looking at your cards
  3. Designate a central area for the slap pile

Basic Gameplay

Players take turns flipping one card from the top of their pile onto the central pile. Flip away from yourself (so you don’t see the card before others). Play proceeds clockwise.

Regular Cards (2-10)

When a number card is played and no slappable pattern appears, the next player simply takes their turn.

Face Card Challenges

When a face card or Ace is played, it triggers a challenge:

Card Played Next Player Gets
Ace 4 chances to play a face card
King 3 chances
Queen 2 chances
Jack 1 chance

The challenged player flips cards one at a time:

  • If they play a face card or Ace, the challenge passes to the next player with a new count
  • If they use all their chances without playing a face card, the player who started the challenge wins the entire pile and places it at the bottom of their stack

The chain continues until someone fails to meet a challenge (or someone slaps).

Slapping

At any time during play, if a slappable pattern appears on top of the pile, any player can slap the pile. First hand on the pile wins all the cards.

Slappable Patterns

Pattern Description Example
Doubles Two cards of the same rank in a row 7, 7
Sandwich Same rank with exactly one card between 5, K, 5
Top-Bottom Card played matches the first card in the pile Pile starts with 9…cards…then 9
Tens Two consecutive cards add up to 10 3, 7 or A(1), 9
Marriage King and Queen (or Queen and King) in sequence K, Q or Q, K
Jokers If using Jokers, always slappable Joker

House rules vary widely. Before playing, agree on which patterns are slappable. Doubles and Sandwiches are nearly universal; others are optional.

Slap Rules

  • First hand on the pile wins (placing, not hitting)
  • False slap (slapping when no valid pattern exists) — penalty: the slapper gives 1-2 cards face-down to the bottom of the pile (or to each player)
  • Slapping overrides face card challenges — even mid-challenge, anyone can slap a valid pattern
  • No hovering — your hand must come from at least 6 inches above the pile (house rule, but widely used)

Winning and Losing

  • If you run out of cards, you’re not eliminated — you can still slap back in!
  • You’re only out when you run out of cards and miss a slap opportunity (or when the group agrees eliminated players can’t slap back)
  • Last player with cards wins

Tips and Tricks

Reaction Speed

  • Watch the pile, not other players’ hands — focus on card patterns
  • Keep your hand ready but not hovering (that’s usually against rules)
  • Learn the patterns — train yourself to recognize doubles and sandwiches instantly

Strategic Play

  • Remember the bottom card — if you win the pile, note the first card for a potential “top-bottom” slap later
  • False slaps can be tactical but are usually not worth the card penalty
  • During challenges, flip slowly — give yourself time to spot doubles
  • Track face cards — if you know most Kings have been played, fewer challenges are coming

Social Dynamics

  • Protect your hands — ERS can get physical. Trim fingernails before playing.
  • Call out false slaps honestly — the game works on the honor system
  • Keep the pace up — slow play kills the energy

Common Variations

Burn (Speed ERS)

If you take too long to flip your card (more than ~2 seconds), the top card of your pile goes face-up to the bottom of the central pile as a “burn” penalty.

Slap Jack (Simpler Version)

Only Jacks are slappable. No face card challenges. Great for younger kids who can’t track multiple patterns.

Beggar My Neighbor (No Slapping)

Face card challenges only, no slapping at all. A pure luck game similar to War.

Ready for More Fast Card Games?

If ERS’s speed appeals to you, try these games free at Rare Pike:

  • Tonk — Fast-paced rummy with 2-5 minute hands
  • Four Colors — UNO-style action card chaos
  • Blackjack — Quick decisions, quick results
  • Go Fish — Memory-based matching, great for groups

Browse all free card games.