How to Play In Between
How to Play In Between
In Between is a quick card game about guessing whether a third card will land between two cards already showing. You need a normal deck of cards, a few people, and something to track points. If you need one, you can get a regular deck of playing cards from Playmore. This guide uses one common home-game version; family and regional house rules can vary.
Quick facts
| Players | Cards | Time | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2–8 | One standard 52-card deck | 15–30 minutes | Finish with the most points |
What you are trying to do
On each turn, you see two face-up cards and decide how many of your points to risk on a third card. The third card is successful when its rank is strictly between the ranks of the first two cards. For example, if the first cards are a 4 and a 10, a 7 works, but a 4, 10, 3, or Jack does not.
A card’s rank means its number or face value. In this game, suits do not matter. Rank the cards from high to low like this: ace, king, queen, jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. Treat the ace as high throughout this beginner version.
What you need
Use one standard 52-card deck with the jokers removed. You also need paper and a pencil, or a notes app, for scoring. Give each player 20 starting points. Put 20 points in a shared pool for the dealer to manage. You can write the pool total in the middle of the score sheet instead of using chips.
Points are only a way to keep score. They are not points, and nobody needs to buy more during the game. If a player is about to make a doubled loss, that player may choose a wager small enough to cover twice the amount. This keeps the scoring friendly and prevents anyone from dropping below zero.
Set it up
Choose a dealer. You can volunteer, draw cards to see who gets the highest rank, or simply choose someone to start. The deal moves clockwise, meaning the next turn passes around the table in the same direction. The dealer controls the shared pool and deals the cards, but the dealer also gets a normal turn.
Shuffle well. The dealer gives each player one face-up card, including themselves, and the player with the highest card becomes the first dealer if you used a high-card choice. For the actual game, the dealer gathers those cards, shuffles again, and is ready to begin. On every turn, the dealer will show two cards to the current player, who then decides whether to make a wager.
How to play
- Show the first card. The dealer turns one card face up for the active player. The active player is the person currently taking a turn.
- Show the second card. The dealer turns a second card face up beside the first. Leave room between them for the third card.
- Check the range. Look at the two ranks and imagine the cards that could fit strictly between them. The number of ranks in that space is the spread. A wide spread gives more possible winning cards; neighboring ranks give none.
- Choose a wager or pass. A wager is the number of points you are willing to risk. You may wager any amount from 1 point up to the amount currently in the pool, as long as you can cover a possible doubled loss. You may also pass by wagering 0 points.
- Reveal the third card. If you wagered more than 0, the dealer turns a third card face up between the first two. If you passed, the dealer skips the reveal and moves on.
- Score a successful card. If the third card’s rank is strictly between the first two, add points equal to your wager to your score and subtract the same amount from the pool; do not separately return the original wager.
- Score an outside card. If the third card is higher than both starting cards or lower than both, you lose your wager. Subtract the wager from your score and add it to the pool.
- Score a match. If the third card has the same rank as either starting card, you lose double your wager. Subtract twice the wager from your score and add twice that amount to the pool. This unlucky result is sometimes called “hitting the post.”
- Clear the cards. Set the three cards aside in a discard pile. The dealer gives the next player a turn. After everyone has played, reshuffle the discard pile into the deck if you need more cards.
If the two starting cards are consecutive, such as a 6 and a 7, no rank can fit between them. The active player may simply pass, and the dealer does not need to reveal a third card. If the two starting cards match, keep the same scoring choice as above: the player may pass, or make a small wager and try for a third card that is not that rank. Agree on this detail before starting, because some home versions handle matching starting cards differently.
How you win
Play a set number of rounds, such as three trips around the table, or stop when everyone agrees the game has lasted long enough. Each player then totals their points. The player with the highest score wins. If two players are tied, play one extra turn each; the higher score after those turns wins. For a shorter game, start with 10 points and play two rounds.
Easy first-game tips
First, count the possible ranks between the two cards before choosing a wager. A 2 and a queen leave many possibilities, while a 9 and a 10 leave none. Next, remember that the endpoints do not count: a third 2 beside a 2 and a queen is not between them, and neither is a queen.
Small wagers are useful when the spread is narrow or when your score is low. Passing is sensible when the cards are consecutive. On the other hand, a wide spread is a good moment to risk a little more, because more ranks can win. Do not worry about perfect decisions; the fun is watching the third card appear.
Keep the dealer’s pool clearly written down after every turn. Deal slowly enough that everyone can see the two starting cards, and announce the result before changing the score. Those simple habits prevent most arguments.
Quick questions
Do suits affect the result?
No. Only the ranks matter, so a heart, club, diamond, or spade has the same value when its rank is the same.
Can I pass on my turn?
Yes. You can wager 0 points and avoid revealing a third card, especially when the starting cards are consecutive or your score is running low.