How to Play Palace
Palace is a fast shedding game known by many names, including Idiot. Every player has cards in hand, three face up and three face down. Play cards of equal or higher rank onto the pile, use the special cards to turn the game around, and avoid being the last player left with cards.
- Players
- You + 1 to 3 computer players
- Cards
- Standard 52 cards
- Game length
- 5–10 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
The goal
Get rid of all your cards. Players drop out one by one as they run out of cards, and the last player still holding cards loses the game.
Setting up
- Use one standard 52-card deck. We play with four players.
- Each player gets three cards face down on the table, three cards face up on top of them, and three cards in hand. The rest of the deck is the draw pile.
- Before play starts, you may swap any cards in your hand with your face-up cards. Strong cards such as 10s, 2s and aces are good to keep face up for later.
- The player holding the lowest card in hand starts (3 is the lowest card).
Playing a turn
- Play all your cards of one rank onto the pile. They must be equal to or higher than the top card of the pile. Aces are high.
- Draw from the draw pile until you have three cards in hand again, while it lasts.
- If you cannot play anything, pick up the whole pile. Your turn ends.
Special cards
| Card | What it does |
|---|---|
| 2 | Can be played on anything. It resets the pile: the next player may play any card. |
| 10 | Can be played on anything. It burns the pile: the pile is removed from the game and you play again. |
| Four of a kind | Four cards of the same rank in a row on top of the pile also burn it, even when played by different players. You play again. |
Your table cards
- When your hand is empty and the draw pile is gone, play from your face-up cards, following the same rules.
- When the face-up cards are gone too, turn over one face-down card at a time without looking first. If it can be played, it is played. If not, you pick it up together with the pile.
- If you pick up cards, you must play those from your hand before going back to your table cards.
Strategy tips
- Play your lowest cards first and save 2s and 10s for when you are stuck.
- Use a 10 when the pile is big. Burning a large pile hurts the next player's chances much more than a 2 does.
- Put your best cards face up before the game starts. You will need them when your hand runs out.
- Watch how many cards the next player holds. A low card can force them to pick up the pile.
Rule variations
Palace is a family game with many house rules. Some groups make 7 a special card (the next card must be lower), let players choose how many matching cards to play, or deal more cards. Our version uses the common core rules above, so the computer players always play by the same rules as you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Palace the same game as Idiot?
Yes. Palace, Idiot and Shithead are names for the same family of shedding games. House rules for the special cards differ from place to place.
Who wins at Palace?
Nobody really wins: the goal is not to lose. Players drop out as they get rid of their cards, and the last player holding cards loses.
Card games have many house rules. This page describes the most common way Palace is played, and the version you play on Card Sunday. Does your family play differently, or have you spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will check it.
