President

President is the climbing card game where the race to empty your hand decides who runs the table next round. It also goes by Scum, Capitalism and several other names. Play the President card game online free in your browser against three, four or five computer players, with no download or sign-up, on desktop or on your phone.

How to play

The whole 52-card deck is dealt, so some players may get one card more than others. Suits never matter. The cards rank from 2 (highest) down through Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10 to 3 (lowest).

• The lead: in round 1 the player holding the 3 of clubs leads. In later rounds the President leads. The leader plays a single card, a pair, a triple or four of a kind.
• Beating a play: each player in turn must beat the last play with the same number of cards of a higher rank. Your legal cards glow green and the rest are dimmed.
• Passing: you may pass even when you could play. Passing doesn’t lock you out: if the play comes back around, you can still beat it.
• Clearing the pile: when everyone else has passed, the pile is cleared and the player who made the last play leads anything they like. If that player has just gone out, the next player still holding cards leads.
• Going out: the first player to run out of cards finishes 1st, and the rest play on until only one player is left holding cards.

Titles, card exchange and scoring

The finishing order sets everyone’s title for the next round: 1st is President, 2nd is Vice President, the middle players are Citizens, the second-to-last is Vice Beggar and the last is Beggar. Many groups call the bottom two Vice-Scum and Scum. This game uses Beggar.

• The exchange: after the next deal, the Beggar must hand over their 2 best cards to the President, who gives back any 2 cards they choose. The Vice Beggar gives their single best card to the Vice President, who gives back any 1.
• Points: each round scores +2 for President, +1 for Vice President, 0 for a Citizen, -1 for Vice Beggar and -2 for Beggar. A match lasts 3, 5 or 10 rounds, and the highest total wins. The Standings button shows every round’s titles.

The rules follow the standard description on pagat.com, using fixed seats and the common two-card exchange.

Options

• Skip on equal rank: off by default. When it’s on, you may also match the last play with the same rank (a 7 on a 7, a pair of Queens on a pair of Queens), and the next player is skipped.
• Jokers: off by default. When they’re on, the two jokers rank above the 2s and can be played alone or as a pair.

Your matches won, rounds played and times you finished as President are saved in your browser, along with your options.

Strategy tips

• Get rid of low cards early. Lone 3s, 4s and 5s are hard to unload later. When you lead, start with your lowest cards, ideally as a pair or triple so several leave your hand at once.
• Save your 2s. A 2 almost always wins the pile, which gives you the lead. Use it when the lead matters, for example when you can follow up by going out, not to beat a 6.
• Plan your last two plays. If you’re down to a 2 and a low card, play the 2 first, win the lead and go out with the low card.
• As President, give back your junk. The cards you return to the Beggar should be your lowest singles, the ones you’d struggle to get rid of.

FAQ

Is this President card game free?

Yes. It’s free to play with no account and no install. Pick your options and press Deal the cards, or Play again when a match ends.

Is President the same as Scum?

Yes. President, Scum, Capitalism and Rich Man Poor Man are names for the same climbing game. The rules vary a little between groups, mostly in the card exchange and in special-card rules, which is why this version shows its rules on the Rules screen.

What is the highest card in President?

The 2 is the highest card and the 3 is the lowest. If you switch jokers on, the jokers rank above the 2s.

Does it work on a phone?

Yes. Tap a glowing card to select it, then tap Play, or tap Pass. On a keyboard, the arrow keys pick a legal rank, Up and Down change how many cards to lead, Enter plays and X passes.

Like shedding games? Race to empty your hand in Crazy Eights, or switch to tricks and dodge the Queen of spades in Hearts.