President (Scum) rules
How to play President, also known as “Scum”, with the Spanish deck: the card order, pairs and threes, plin, the roles of President and Scum, the card swap and scoring.
President (also known as “Scum”) is played with the Spanish 40-card deck, by 3 to 6 players. The goal of each round is to run out of cards before anyone else. If you've never played before, start with “Learn to play”.
The order of the cards
How to play
- All the cards are dealt. The round is led by the Scum from the previous round (in the first round, whoever has the 2 of coins).
- Whoever leads plays one card, or two, three or four of the same rank.
- In turn, each player has to play the same number of cards, higher, or check. Whoever passes doesn't play again in that trick.
- Plin: playing exactly the same as what's on the table (a four on a four) is also allowed, and the next player loses their turn.
- When nobody else can or wants to play, the trick goes to whoever played last, and they lead. If they have no cards left, the next player leads.
Roles and points
- The first to run out of cards is the President (+2) and the last one is the Scum (−2).
- With 4 or more players, second place is Vice-president (+1) and the second-to-last is Vice-scum (−1). Everyone else neither gains nor loses points.
- At the start of the next round, the Scum gives their 2 best cards to the President, who gives back their 2 worst. The Vice-scum and the Vice-president swap one.
- The game lasts 5 rounds. The player with the most points wins; in a tie, whoever finished higher in the last round.
On Naipera
- The card swap happens automatically: the Scum's best cards and the President's worst.
- There are no jokers and no “revolution”.
Sources
Every household plays its own way. We follow the main card order given by Wikipedia (ace highest) and the card swap described by Playiro.
Frequently asked questions
Which card is the highest in President?
It depends on the house. On Naipera, the ace is the highest and the two the lowest; suit doesn't matter.
What is plin?
Playing exactly the same as what's on the table (for example, a four on another four). It's allowed, and the next player loses their turn.
Which cards does the Scum give the President?
Their two best cards. The President gives back the two worst. With four or more players, the Vice-scum and the Vice-president swap one.
Who starts each round?
The Scum from the previous round. In the first round, whoever has the 2 of coins.