Liar's Poker

(Tierney Family rules)

Players - Four. Each plays for himself.

Cards - One full deck of 52 cards.

The Deal - Cut for dealer, ace is high. All cards are dealt, giving each hand 13 cards. Deal passes to the left for successive hands.

The Play - Eldest hand makes the opening lead by placing 1, 2, 3 or 4 cards face down in the center of the table (starting a new pile) and declaring the number and denomination.  For instance, the player on lead might place three cards face down and declare "3 Jacks."  Each time a new pile is started, the player starting the pile chooses the announced denomination for all cards added to the pile.

In this example the cards need not necessarily be jacks, or even of the same denomination.  A player may choose to put down a four, a five and a seven and declare "3 Jacks."

The next player has three options:

Typical play might go:

If the 2 "kings" last added by Player 4 are actual kings, then Player 2 adds the entire pile to his hand and Player 4 begins a new pile.

If the 2 "kings" last added by Player 4 are not both kings, then Player 4 adds the entire pile to his hand and Player 2 begins a new pile.

Object of Play - To get rid of all your cards.  If you make a play that adds all of your remaining cards to the pile, you then declare "I'm out!".  Unless you were lying and someone doubts you, the hand is over and the player going out wins.

Strategy

This version of Liar's Poker is great fun for families, children as young as five pick it up quickly.

Other Liar's Poker/I Doubt It sites on the WWW:
John McLeod's I Doubt It Page
GameRules.org I Doubt It Page

Back