Learn how to play Egyptian Rat Screw, also known as Egyptian Rat slap, Egyptian Rat Tail or ERS. This is a wild and fast paced card game similar to slapjack. The Egyptian rat slap is the technical term for when some douche hits you with a flaccid Ice pack. Sunny you better get down here or Imma Egyptian rat slap ya.

What is Egyptian Rat Screw?

Egyptian Rat Screw is a matching card game for three or more players. The ERS card game involves the titular slapping action that happens once a certain condition is achieved, which shows its influence from games such as Slapjack and other more action-oriented card games.

How to Play Egyptian Rat Screw?

Egyptian Rat Screw can be played with 3 or more players, though 3 is the most common and most well-paced player count. All you need to play a game of Egyptian Rat Screw is the 52-card standard Anglo American deck.

Dealing

The dealer is determined by random or bydeck splitting. The dealer then deals an equal number of cards to each player,one card at a time. Players are not allowed to view their cards before playing them. Allcards will be played to the centre of the table, equidistant from all otherplayers, forming the centre pile.

Playing Cards

The player to the leftof the dealer goes first. On each turn, the player will play the top card oftheir hand to the centre pile. The cards must be played in such a way that allplayers see the revealed card at the same time.

The turn then passesto the next player in clockwise order, with each consecutive card being playedon top of the last card on the draw pile.

Gameplay

The play continues until a face card(Kings, Queens and Jacks) or an Ace is played. The player playing the card thentemporarily becomes the “challenger”. The next player then temporarily becomesthe “challenged”. This player has a few chances to play another Ace or facecard to win the challenge.

• Ace: 4 chances.
• King: 3 chances.
• Queen: 2 chances.
• Jack: 1 chance.

If the player fails todraw a face card or Ace within the allotted number of turns, the challengertakes the pile.

If the challengedmanages to play the face card or Ace, then that player becomes the new“challenger”, and the following player in turn order becomes the new“challenged”, repeating the process.

Slapping

Certain card combinations can be assignedto facilitate the slapping action. Slapping allows players to steal cards outof order, with the fastest players taking the card piles.

An example of combinations that allowslapping include the following:

• Doubles: two cards with the same rank,regardless of suit.
• Sandwiches: two cards of the same rank, with adifferent card in between the two.
• Runs: 1 or more cards in ascending ordescending order played in succession.
• Wilds: A Joker card being played, an optionalinclusion.

Due to the nature ofthe game, other optional combinations can be included as well.

To slap, the playersmust slap downwards, above the centre pile. The slaps, by nature, will be piledup above the card pile. Thus, the fastest player will be the player whose handis the lowest in the pile.

How to win Egyptian Rat Screw?

The game ends once a player has claimed allthe cards available in the game. Players are eliminated once they have no cardsremaining.

Rules

Playing the cards to the centre pile shouldbe exact and precise. If players play cards outside the specified range(generally meaning touching more than half of the last played card), they canbe penalised.

Players are alsoallowed to contest card claiming. This is optional, and it does mean thatplayers are allowed to bluff. If the bluff is called, they will need to givethe top card of their hand to the player who called the bluff. If a bluff ismistakenly called, the calling player gives their top card to the bluffingplayer.

Penalties

Players are penalized when they make amistake while slapping. If the player slaps even though no valid combinationwas played, they will need to discard one or more cards as a punishment. Thenumber of cards depends on the house rules.

Summary of Rules

In conclusion, the Egyptian Rat Screw rules are:

• Each player is dealt the same number of cards.
• Each player plays their top card to the centre pile.
• If a face card or Ace is played, the challenging process begins.
• If a combination is played, the fastest player to slap the pile takes the pile.
• The player who claims all cards wins.

Scoring & Points

Egyptian Rat Screw scoring is based on thewinner of the most rounds. This assumes that the game consists of multiplerounds. Each round awards 1 point to the winning player.

Example Hands

Example hands in the ERS card game are shown below.

Challenging

Player 1 plays the card Q ♣ , which initiates the challenge. Player 2, by rules, has 2 tries to play a face card or an Ace. Player 2 fails to play a card with the allocated turns, thus, Player 1 takes all the cards.

Say Player 2 manages to play a J♦on the 2^nd turn. Player 3 must now play aface card or an Ace within 1 turn. Player 3 fails to do so, thus, Player 2claims the pile as the new challenger.

Slapping

Player 1 plays 6 ♦, and Player 2follows with a 6 ♠. Now, all players will slap since aDouble combination has been formed. The player whose hand is in contact withthe most cards will get all cards in the pile.

Strategy & Tips

• Egyptian Rat Screw strategy is about being alert.
• When challenged, do not worry too much, as the game then becomes a game of chance.
• Look out for bluffs, as these can help add to your card count.
• Slap as fast as you can to win.
• Know all the combinations that allow slapping.
• Don’t rush to slap when you see others do so unless you’re certain the combination is valid.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was EgyptianRat Screw created?

Egyptian Rat Screw’s origin likely can be tracked down to the 19^th century, likely in Britain, due to is influence from the game Beggar-My-Neighbour.

Why is itcalled Egyptian Rat Screw?

Egyptian Rat Screw’s name has an uncertain origin. The term “Ratscrew” is a form of future sight in Egypt, where the combinations of cards mean specific occurrences. Read more about Egyptian card games here.

Can I play EgyptianRat Screw Online?

While some online simulators do exist for Egyptian Rat Screw, the necessity of physical interaction means that playing in person is more ideal.

How manyplayers can play Egyptian Rat Screw?

3 players is the recommended amount, but higher player counts can be accommodated with more decks added

Egyptian Rat Screw is a fast played game. Winning the game depend on the player’s speed and luck. It is also known as the Egyptian War or Slap. With our guide on How to Play Egyptian Rat Screw, you can learn the game from basics, and within 5 minutes, you’ll be able to play the game with your friends and family. So, let’s start the guide on How to Play Egyptian Rat Screw.

Required

Deck

The 52 Cards standard deck is used.

Players

Two or more players can play the game.

Egyptian Rat Slap Card

The Object of The Game

The main object of the game is to win all the cards.

Determining Dealer and Dealing The Cards

There are no rules as to the selection of the dealer. The players can select the dealer randomly or a player may accept the dealership voluntarily. After that, the dealer deals cards to each player one by one, face-down until all the cards get finished. But remember, all players must be dealt with the same number of cards and extra cards may be removed to make this adjustment.

After receiving the cards, each player makes a pile out of it put it face-down in front of them.

The Gameplay

The player on the left of the dealer starts the game by taking his/her turn. The players take their turns by placing the top card from their own pile to the center pile, face-up. Players take turns in a clockwise manner. If the played card is a numbered card(From 2 to 10) then the game continues normally.

If the played card is a face card(King (K), Queen (Q), Jack (J)), or Ace (A), then the next player also has to play a face card or an Ace. If the next player plays a face card or an Ace then the following player also has to play a face card or an Ace and the cycle continues until a player fails to play a face card or an Ace.

Whenever a player fails to follow the rule of playing face card or an Ace, the last player who played a face card or an Ace wins the center pile. The winner starts the next round.

The Slap Rule

During the game in some specific situations, a player can win the center pile by slapping the top card. The situations in which a player can slap and win are as follows:-

Doubles

Play Egyptian Rat Slap Card Game Online

Cards of the same rank played back to back. Example:- 2, 2.

Sandwich

Egyptian Rat Slap Rules

Cards of the same rank played with a different ranked card played between them. Example:- 3, 7, 3.

Top Bottom

When the bottom card of the center pile and the top card of the center pile is of the same rank. Example:- Center pile is started with 10 and a player plays 10.

Sequence

When four cards of consecutive rank are played. Example:- 6, 7, 8, 9 or 9, 8, 7, 6.

Marriage

When a Queen is played after a King or a King is played after a Queen.

Some Rules

• When a player slaps a card when it is not slappable, he/she has to put 1 card to the bottom of the center pile face-down.
• The player can continue to play even if he/she runs out of the cards, he/she can still win the cards by slapping the cards. But if he/she slaps a not slappable card then he/she will be out of the game.
• If more than one player slaps the card at the same time, then the player with the most fingers on the card wins the center pile.

Egyptian Rat Slap Card Game Rules

Now, you know How to Play Egyptian Rat Screw.

Play with your friends and family and enjoy!

Also, check-out some other fun games like Spoons and Bridge.

Thank you.