Cards rank (from low to high): 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A
Choose a dealer by whichever means.
Each player is dealt 3 cards in front of them face-down, 3 cards face-up on top of the face-down cards, and 3 cards to their hand. The rest of the cards are placed in a draw pile face-down in the center.
Before beginning, each player may swap out any number of cards between their hand and their face-up cards.
Play begins with the player on the dealer's left. The object of the game is to play all the cards from your hand, then all your cards on the table.
Each player in turn places up to 4 cards of the same value in the center; the discard pile. The next player must play up to 4 cards of equal or higher value. If a player cannot play a card, they must pick up the discard pile.
Unless the draw pile is exhausted, players must have a minimum of 3 cards in their hand.
Only when a player's hand is exhausted are allowed to play their face-up cards. If a player has to pick up any cards at any point, they must play them first before continuing to play their face-up cards. This rule applies to their face-down cards as well.
Once a player has played all of their face-up cards, they're able to play their face-down cards. Players must not look at their face-down cards before playing one.
Once a player plays all 3 of their face-down cards, they are out. There are no winners in Shithead. Instead, the last player still in is the loser; or the 'Shithead'. They then become the dealer for the next round.
Some cards are considered wildcards, and have special rules when played.
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Any 2 is played | A 2 can be played on any card, and any set of cards can follow a 2. |
| Any 7 is played | A 7 must be played normally, and can only be followed by cards valued at 7 or lower; effective only the the turn immediately after. |
| Any 10 is played | A 10 burns the discard pile, including the played 10. The burnt pile is placed aside and isn't used for the remainder of the game. |
| 4 cards of the same value are played | 4 cards of the same value played in a row also burns the discard pile. This can happen across multiple turns. |