How to Play Palace
How to Play Palace
Palace is a lively shedding game, which means you try to get rid of every card before the other players do. You need a normal deck of cards, a table, and two to six people ready for a little friendly competition. If you need one, you can find a regular deck of playing cards from Playmore. This guide uses one common version of Palace; house rules can vary, especially for the special cards.
Quick facts
| Players | 2–6 |
|---|---|
| Best for | Age 8 and up |
| Goal | Play all your cards first |
| Card order | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, J, Q, K, A |
| Special cards | 2 resets; 10 clears |
What you are trying to do
Players build one discard pile, a face-up pile in the middle where played cards go. Most of the time, each new card must be equal to or higher than the card showing on top. For example, a 9 can follow a 6, but a 5 cannot. Your aim is to empty your hand, then use the three face-up cards and finally the three face-down cards in front of you. The first player to play all nine of their cards wins the game.
What you need
Use one standard 52-card deck for two players. For three to six players, use two standard decks shuffled together so everyone can receive the full layout. Leave out Jokers. You will also need a clear space for a draw pile, which is the face-down pile you take cards from, and a discard pile.
For card values, use the number on number cards. Among the cards used in the normal sequence, 3 is low, followed by 4 through 10, then Jack, Queen, King, and Ace high. The 2 and 10 have special jobs, explained below. Suits do not matter.
Set it up
Deal three cards face down in front of each player. Nobody may look at these cards. They are the final cards you will try to play, so keep them in place.
Next, deal six cards to each player. These six cards are private: look at them, then choose three to place face up on top of your three face-down cards. The other three stay in your hand. Choose strong, high cards for the face-up row when possible, because you will be able to see and plan around them later.
Put the remaining cards face down in the center as the draw pile. Turn over one card to begin the discard pile. In a simple beginner version, the player who starts is the person with the lowest total among their three face-up cards; if you prefer, choose the starting player randomly. Play then moves clockwise.
How to play
- Play from your hand. On your turn, put one card or several cards of the same rank on the discard pile. Each card must be equal to or higher than the current top card, unless it is a 2 or a 10. If you play two 8s together, the next player only needs to beat an 8, not two cards.
- Use the 2 to reset. A 2 may be played on any card. It resets the sequence, so the next player may play any card. Think of it as a fresh start rather than a high card in the ordinary order.
- Use the 10 to clear. A 10 may also be played on any card. Remove the entire discard pile from the game, draw from the draw pile until you have three cards in your hand, and then play any card from your hand to start the new discard pile.
- Clear four of a kind. If four cards of the same rank appear in a row, whether played by one person or several, remove that whole discard pile. The player who completed the four-card set starts again with any card. This is another chance to change the pile.
- Draw back up. After playing, draw from the draw pile until you have three cards in your hand, as long as cards remain. You may hold more than three if you picked up the discard pile. You must play when you can; if you cannot play a legal card, pick up the entire discard pile and add it to your hand. Your turn ends, and you must use those picked-up cards before returning to your table cards.
- Move to the face-up row. When the draw pile is empty and your hand is empty, play one of your three face-up cards on each turn. You may choose which visible card to use. If a face-up card cannot be played, pick up the discard pile and put that card back with your hand; clear your hand again before trying another face-up card.
- Try the face-down cards. After all three face-up cards are gone and your hand is empty, flip one face-down card without looking first. If it is equal to or higher than the top discard, play it. If it is too low, add it and the discard pile to your hand. You must finish those cards before trying another face-down card. Continue one blind card at a time until someone wins.
How you win
You win as soon as you have played your last face-down card legally. There is no need to count points for a single game. If your group wants to play several rounds, write down the winner of each round on paper or in a notes app, then agree on a target number of round wins before starting.
Easy first-game tips
Save a 2 or 10 for a difficult moment instead of using every special card immediately. High cards are useful in the face-up row because they are easier to play later, but do not put all your best cards there: keeping one in your hand can help you avoid picking up the pile.
Watch the discard pile and remember which ranks have appeared. Playing pairs or triples can empty your hand quickly, while a four-of-a-kind clear can give you control of the next turn. When you reach the blind cards, accept that luck is part of the fun. Your earlier choices should make the pile as easy as possible before you flip.
Quick questions
Can I play more than one card on my turn?
Yes. You may play several cards together when they have the same rank, and every card must be legal against the current top card unless you are using a 2 or 10.
What happens if I cannot play?
Pick up the entire discard pile and add it to your hand. You cannot skip the turn, and you must play those cards before using your face-up or face-down cards again.