How to play Pass the Ace
Pass the Ace is an easy-to-learn bluffing card game for four or more players.
Goal
Avoid the low card each round to win this game!
Needed
52 card deck, three tokens per player. Best for 4 or more players.
Card Rank
Highest to lowest - King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace.
Setup
- Each player is given three tokens to represent each player’s three "lives."
- Each player draws one card, the player with the highest card is the first dealer. The ace is always low in Pass the Ace.
Deal
Each player is dealt one card.
Objective
The object of the game is to avoid having the lowest ranking card at the end of each round; otherwise, you will lose one token.
Optional Setup
Remove all but one ace from the deck.
Game Play
- The player to the left of the dealer is first to play. During a turn, players can decide to keep their current card or exchange cards with the player on their left.
- If a player decides to exchange, the player on the left must exchange unless he/she is holding a king.
- Play continues until the dealer is the last person to play. If the dealer wants to exchange his/her card, he/she will draw the top card of deck, and must keep that card.
- After every player has had a turn, the cards are flipped up. The player with the lowest ranking card loses a token.
Optional Game Play
If the player is blocked from swapping because the next player has a king, then they move onto the next player and exchange cards with that person. Found here.
Winning
The last player with one or more tokens wins the game.
Rules
- Players must exchange their cards when requested, except if one person holds a king. If a player has a king and is asked to exchange, no exchange occurs, and the king is flipped up.
- A dealer cannot exchange for a king from the deck. If a king is the top card, the dealer is stuck with his/her original card.
- If two players tie for the lowest ranking card in a round, they both lose a token. A variation can be played where tying players are safe, and the lowest unique ranking card (i.e., only one person holds that value card) loses a token.
- Once a player is out of tokens, he/she is out of the game.
- If two players are left in the game and tie, neither player loses a token. The final deal is re-dealt.
Find a video tutorial and written explanation on how to play Chase the Ace here.
