• Players: 3-8
• The pack: 52 card deck. For 6+ players it is better to play with two decks.

Bluff Card Game - Know How to Play Bluff Games & Its Rules

Bluff is one of those card games that brings thrill, laughter, and intense moments to the table. It’s all about deception, a straight face, and reading the room. Bluff is one of the most entertaining card games you can play with friends. It’s all about outsmarting your opponents through deception. You don’t need fancy strategies or card-counting skills—just a good poker face and the ability to lie convincingly. Want to know how to play bluff card game and master its rules? Let’s dive into everything you need to know. 

What is Bluff?

Bluff, also called Cheat or I Doubt It or Show it, is a card game that focuses on outwitting your opponents by lying about the cards you play. The aim of the bluff game is simple: be the first to get rid of all your cards. However, in this game, players can lie about what they discard. The challenge is to avoid getting caught while knowing when to call a bluff and expose your opponents. 

Setting Up the Game

Bluff can be played with 3-6 players using a standard deck of 52 playing cards. The dealer shuffles the deck and deals all the cards to the players, one at a time. Some players may end up with more cards than others, but it doesn’t affect the game. The remaining cards form the discard pile, and players take turns clockwise around the table. 

OBJECT OF THE GAME

Get rid of all your cards.

THE DEAL

Deal the cards out evenly, such that each player has an equal number of cards. If there are any remaining cards, place them face down in the centre as the beginning of the discard pile.

HOW TO PLAY

The player to the left of the dealer begins by placing a card or cards of the same rank face down on the table. The player must say what the cards are, but does not have to tell the truth. For example, they could say they have "3 fives", and place any 3 cards in the centre. The other players must then follow suit. If they do not have a card of the same rank, they can either play a different card and hope that no one calls their bluff, or they can pass.

Blind Player - The blind players must not look at their cards before betting. To play blind place a bet in the pot. That bet must be equal to but not more than twice the total in the pot. If you are the first player, your bet must be at least equal to the boot.

If a player thinks that another player has played a card that they do not actually have (i.e. they are bluffing), they can call their bluff by saying “Bluff!”. If that player was indeed bluffing, they must take all of the cards on the table as a penalty. If they were not bluffing, the player who called the bluff must take the penalty instead.

The round ends when all the players have passed. The winner is the first person to get rid of all their cards.

Here’s a step-by-step on how to play bluff: 

1. The first player starts by placing one or more cards face-down in the pile and announcing what they are (e.g., "two Jacks"). They can either be honest or lie about the cards. 

1. The next player continues by placing cards face-down and stating what they are (e.g., "three Queens"). The key is to announce cards of the same rank as the previous player (in this case, Jacks or Queens). 

1. The game continues like this, with players taking turns to discard cards. At any point, another player can suspect the person discarding cards and say "Bluff!" to call them out. 

1. If a bluff is called, the discarded cards are revealed. If the player lies, they must pick up the entire discard pile. If they are telling the truth, the person who called the bluff picks up the pile. 

The turn then moves to the next player, and the game continues. The first player to discard all their cards wins the bluff game. 

Bluff Card Game Rules

Here are the essential bluff card game rules to keep in mind: 

• Players must announce the rank of the cards they are discarding. 

• You can lie about the rank of the cards you discard. 

• You must follow the sequence of ranks based on the last card that was played. 

• Players can call a bluff if they suspect someone is lying. 

• If the bluff is called correctly, the liar must pick up the pile of cards. 

• If the bluff is wrong, the player who called the bluff must pick up the pile. 

• The game ends when one player successfully discards all their cards. 

STRATEGIES

Be aware of what cards are in your hand. For instance, if you have 2 jacks in your hand and someone else calls 3 jacks, obviously they are bluffing.

If you pick up the discard pile, you might be able to see who has been bluffing. This will give you clues about the approach of different players.

Strategies for Winning at Bluff

Bluff isn’t just about lying; it’s about knowing when to lie and when to play it safe. Here are some strategies to help you win the bluff game: 

1. Play it safe in the beginning: Don’t start the game with an obvious lie. Gradually build up your trust so that when you do lie, it’s less suspicious. 

1. Mix truth and lies: Keep your opponents guessing by occasionally playing the right cards. This makes it harder for them to figure out when you’re bluffing. 

1. Watch other players closely: Pay attention to how many cards other players have left. If someone has only a few cards, they may be desperate and more likely to bluff. 

1. Use body language to your advantage: Keep a neutral expression no matter what you’re playing. If you show nervousness, other players might call your bluff. 

1. Call bluffs carefully: Don’t call a bluff on every turn. Choose your moments wisely. If you call a bluff too often and you’re wrong, you’ll end up with a lot of cards in your hand. 

Common Mistakes in Bluff

While bluff is a fun game, players often make mistakes that cost them the win. Here are some things to avoid: 

• Over-bluffing: If you lie too much, other players will catch on and call your bluffs more often. 

• Calling too many bluffs: Don’t get carried away with calling bluffs. Sometimes, players tell the truth and calling them out can lead you to pick up a massive pile of cards. 

• Not paying attention to discarded cards: Keep track of what cards have been played. If someone says they’re discarding three Kings, but you’ve already seen a lot of Kings in play, it might be a good time to call a bluff. 

Variations of Bluff

Bluff has a few different versions that you can try out: 

1. Two-Deck Bluff: You play with two decks instead of one in this variation. This makes it harder to track what cards have been played and increases the chances of bluffs. 

1. Silent Bluff: In this version, players don’t announce the rank of the cards they discard. This makes it purely a guessing game, adding a whole new level of excitement. 

1. Pass the Turn Bluff: If a player doesn’t want to play their cards, they can choose to pass the turn. But beware—passing too often may make you look suspicious! 

Bluff is easy to learn and a guaranteed good time. If you love competitive games and enjoy testing your friends’ ability to read you, this is the perfect card game for your next get-together. 

Ready to Test Your Bluffing Skills?

If you’re excited to start playing bluff and want to grab a high-quality deck of cards, head over to Art of Cards and explore our wide range of premium playing cards. We have the perfect deck for you. Shop now and start bluffing like a champion!