The Bum Card Game Rules & Cards

Bum is an entertaining and strategic card game that three or more players typically play. The bum game involves passing cards between players and competing to be the first to finish getting rid of all the cards in their hands.

Bum Card Game Rules and Cards

The Bum is a card game based on the President card game, which can be played with the help of regular or standard playing card decks. Before the game begins, the players decide on the order of play, with the last player from the previous round becoming the president, the second-to-last becoming the vice president, and the remaining player becoming the bum.

Bum Playing Cards

The Bum card game is typically played with a standard 52-card deck consisting of four suits: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades, in which each suit contains cards ranked from two to ace.

How to Play Bum Card Game

The president assembles the deck and distributes the cards counterclockwise, distributing the two best cards to the vice president and the two worst cards to the slob. The bum gives its highest card to the president and passes the remaining cards from the president back to the bum.

Playing the Game

During the game, players take turns playing cards from their hands to get rid of all their cards before the other players. On each turn, players may play a card of equal or higher value than the previous card they played. The president leads the first round by playing a card, and subsequent rounds are played and scored in the same manner. All players must play a card of equal or higher value than the previous card played. If a player cannot do so, they must pass.

Rounds

The first player to empty their hand becomes the president in the next round, earning 2 points. The second player to empty their hand becomes the vice president, earning 1 point. The last player with cards becomes the bum and earns no points, but must trade cards with the president in the next round.

Winning the Game

Traditionally, the game is played until one player reaches 11 points, at which point the player with the highest score is declared the winner. The passing of cards between players, as well as the strategic play of cards, adds an element of excitement and challenge to the game.

Variations Of Bum Card Game

The Bum card game is known for having endless variations and house rules. Here are some examples mentioned:

• Card Trading: After the first round, players trade cards based on their rank. The Bum gives their two best cards to the President, who gives their two worst cards back. The Vice Bum gives their best card to the Vice President, who gives their worst card back.
• Different Starting Card: Some versions start the first round with a specific cardholder, like the player with the 3 of Clubs, instead of the person to the left of the dealer.
• Completing a Set:If you hold all the cards of a certain value (e.g., all four 7s in a single deck game), you can play them all at once to clear the pile, even if it’s not your turn or the correct quantity. Playing all cards of a value when they are on top of the pile is sometimes called a “social” and requires others to drink.
• No Last Card Warning: If a player forgets to announce they are down to their last card before playing it, they might receive a penalty, such as having to draw an extra card.
• Double/Triple Twos: Playing two or even three Twos together can grant special privileges, like clearing the pile and leading the next play with multiple cards, setting the rank for the next plays.
• Bum’s Revolt: If the Bum manages to become the President in just one round, this “revolution” allows the new President to make a specific rule for the rest of the game.
• President’s Privilege: If a player wins a second consecutive term as President, they gain the power to make one “absurd” rule for each term they remain in power, often involving penalties like drinking for failure to follow the rule. Examples include specific physical actions (“Royal Sign” – like putting a thumb on the table), using mandatory prefixes or names (“Nomenclature Notice Prefix”), requiring compliments (“Compliment Clause”), or group drinking rituals (“Waterfall”).

Conclusion

Bum, also known by names like Asshole or President, is an extremely popular and fast-paced card game. The primary goal is to get rid of all your cards before other players. While often played as a drinking game, it involves strategy and competition to climb the social ranks within the game. The game is based on the President card game, and its variations are widely known and played at large gatherings.

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