Table of Contents
Cheat (BS)
Your turn — select cards, choose a rank to declare, then click “Play Cards”.
Your Hand
Declare:
Center Pile: 0 cards
If you love chaos, laughter, dramatic accusations, and the occasional “I swear I’m not lying!”… then Cheat (also known as BS, Bluff, or I Doubt It) might just be your new favorite card game.
Cheat is a fast-paced party card game built on deception, straight faces, risky bluffs, and calling out your friends. It works with 2 to 6 players, requires only a standard deck of cards, and usually leads to someone yelling “BS!” loud enough to scare the neighbors.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover:
- The basic rules of Cheat
- How many players and how many cards to deal
- How to play with 2, 3, and 4+ players
- Whether you can pass, lie, or skip
- Who starts and why that matters
- Smart bluffing strategies
- Common mistakes beginners make
- Adult / party variations (yes, the spicy ones 👀)
And at the end, we’ll answer every FAQ you listed.
Let’s deal in.
What Is the Cheat Card Game?
Cheat is a deception-based card game where the objective is to get rid of all your cards. Players take turns placing cards face-down and claiming they are a certain rank — but they may lie.
Other players can either:
- Let the play continue… or
- Call “CHEAT!” (or “BS!” depending on your group)
If someone is caught lying, they pick up the whole pile.
If they were telling the truth, the accuser picks up the pile.
The fun part? Most people lie.
The best part? Most people think they can bluff better than they actually can.
Cheat Card Game Setup
How many decks of cards to play Cheat?
- 2–6 players: Use 1 standard 52-card deck
- 7+ players: Use 2 decks shuffled together
How many cards do you start with in Cheat?
- Typically, deal all the cards evenly across all players
- Some players may have one more or one fewer card — that’s fine.
Cheat card game who starts?
The player holding the Ace of Spades usually starts,
OR just choose randomly / youngest / rock-paper-scissors.
How Does the Cheat Card Game Work?
On your turn:
- You must play 1 or more cards face-down into the center pile.
- You must announce their rank, such as: “Two 7s.”
- You may tell the truth or lie.
The Twist:
Players take turns in rank order.
Example:
- If the last person said “7s”, the next player must call 8s.
- After Kings, the sequence loops back to Aces.
Can you cheat?
YES.
That’s the entire game.
Can You Pass in Cheat?
Yes — but only if your group plays with the “pass rule”.
Two common variations:
| Version | Can You Skip Your Turn? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Cheat | ❌ No | You must play cards every turn (truth or lie) |
| Party / Social Version | ✅ Yes | You may pass once per round to avoid risky plays |
If you want a more intense, bluff-heavy game → No passing.
If you want a chill, friendly game → allow one skip per round per player.
Download Cheat Card Game Rule Sheet & Score Sheet (PDF)
How to Play Cheat (Step-by-Step)
1. Shuffle and Deal
Deal all the cards evenly.
2. First Player Declares a Rank
Example:
“I play one 5.”
3. Next Player Declares the Next Rank
Example:
“I play two 6s.”
4. Calling “CHEAT!”
At any moment, any player can call out the previous player if they think they lied.
If the accuser is correct, the liar picks up the entire pile.
If the accuser is wrong, the accuser picks up the pile.
5. Continue Until Someone Runs Out of Cards
First player to have no cards left wins.
Can You Play Cheat with 2 People?
Yes — and it’s surprisingly intense.
With 2 players:
- Both players know almost everything about the card flow.
- Bluffing becomes psychological warfare.
- Games run faster and require more memory.
Pro tip:
Don’t bluff too early. Two-player Cheat rewards slow, sneaky lies.
How to Play Cheat With 3 Players
With 3 players:
- Bluffing gets safer (less tracking pressure).
- Calling “Cheat!” becomes more dramatic.
- You’ll see more “double-bluffs” (“I knew you knew I was lying!”).
How to Play Cheat With 4+ Players
This is the party sweet spot.
- Bigger piles
- Heavier bluffing
- More confusion
- More laughter
- More shouting
When someone yells “CHEAT!” across the room, it’s electric.
How to Cheat Better (Without Getting Caught)
1. Play Mixed Lies
Never lie in a predictable rhythm.
2. Look Relaxed
People call BS when you look tense.
3. Pass Small Lies
Don’t always lie big — sneak in tiny lies no one questions.
4. Watch Faces
People blink before they lie.
Yes. It’s real.
Common Mistakes
- Lying every turn — too obvious
- Calling “Cheat!” too often — you’ll end up with the pile
- Forgetting to track card ranks already played
Conclusion
Cheat is a game that rewards:
- Cleverness
- Observation
- Bluff confidence
- And knowing your friends’ terrible poker faces
Whether you’re playing at a family table, a student dorm, or a party full of chaotic energy — this game delivers laughter every single time.
How do you play Cheat with 3 players?
Deal the whole deck as evenly as possible. Turns proceed in rank order (A→K cycling). On your turn, lay 1+ cards face-down and announce the current rank (truth or bluff). Anyone may call “Cheat/BS.” First to empty their hand wins.
How do you play Cheat with 4 players (or more)?
Same rules as 3 players. With 4+, expect larger piles and bolder bluffs. If your group is 7+, shuffle in a second deck.
Who starts in the Cheat card game?
Common starts: player with the Ace of Spades, dealer’s left, or the youngest player. Pick a method and stick with it all game.
How many decks of cards do you need to play Cheat?
Use 1 deck for up to 6 players; use 2 decks for 7 or more.
How do you play BS?
BS is the same game as Cheat. Players lay cards face-down declaring a rank (truth or lie). Anyone may challenge by calling “BS.” If the play was a lie, the liar takes the pile; if it was true, the challenger takes the pile.
What are the basic BS rules?
Deal all cards, play face-down cards while announcing the required rank in sequence, allow challenges, and the first player to shed all cards wins.
How many cards do you start with in BS?
Typically all cards are dealt out as evenly as possible; starting hand sizes vary by player count rather than a fixed number.
Can you pass in Cheat?
Depends on house rules. Classic play: no pass. Social/party variant: allow one pass per round per player to slow the chaos.
Can you play Cheat with 2 people?
Yes. Two-player Cheat is highly psychological; both players track card flow closely. Expect fewer wild bluffs and more timing plays.
How does the Cheat card game work (quick version)?
Play or bluff the required rank, others may challenge, the wrong party takes the pile, and you win by emptying your hand first.
Cross-Game / General Card Questions Users Also Ask
How many decks do you need for Cheat?
One for up to 6 players; two for 7+ players.
How to play cards step by step (for Cheat)?
- Deal all cards, 2) choose starting player, 3) declare and play the required rank in turn order, 4) allow challenges, 5) pile goes to the liar or the wrong challenger, 6) first to have no cards wins.
What are the rules of Bluff?
Bluff (aka Cheat/BS) follows the same rules: declare rank in sequence, allow challenges, loser of the challenge takes the pile, goal is to shed all cards.
What are the rules of the game (Cheat in one line)?
Declare the current rank, tell the truth or lie, survive challenges, and empty your hand first.
What are some common mistakes in BS?
Bluffing every turn, calling BS too often, showing tells (hesitation, over-explaining), and forgetting the rank order.
Broader/Related Games (helpful context FAQs)
What is the inappropriate card game called?
People often mean “BS” (for its name), or adult party titles like Cards Against Humanity. “Cheat” itself is family-friendly despite its bluffing theme.
How many cards do you start with in CAH (Cards Against Humanity)?
Each player typically starts with 10 white cards (per the base rules). Players draw back to 10 after each round.
How many decks of cards do you use to play Sequence?
A standard Sequence set uses two decks (included with the board).
What does NSFW mean in card games?
NSFW = “Not Safe For Work.” It flags adult themes or language (e.g., CAH expansions, NSFW party packs).
Do 18+ card games exist?
Yes. Examples include Cards Against Humanity, What Do You Meme? (adult packs), For The Girls, Exploding Kittens NSFW, and other adult-humor games.
What are some common adult party card games?
Cards Against Humanity, What Do You Meme?, Exploding Kittens (NSFW), Unstable Unicorns (NSFW), and Bad People are popular choices.
What is the intimacy card game?
A broad label for conversation/relationship decks (e.g., We’re Not Really Strangers, Let’s Get Deep, The And), focused on prompts rather than winning tricks.
What is the Dirty Minds card game?
A classic adult party game where clean answers are hidden behind risqué-sounding clues. It’s wordplay-based rather than a standard trick-taking card game.
History/Trivia & Other Classics
What was Winston Churchill’s favorite card game?
Churchill is widely associated with bezique, which he reportedly enjoyed frequently. (Some sources also note canasta later in life.)
What card game did Churchill play?
Bezique — a 19th-century trick-taking game using a 64-card deck (two 32-card Piquet decks).
What is the bezique card game?
A trick-taking game for two (sometimes more) using melds like bezique (Q♠ + J♦) and combinations for points; highest score wins.
Why is the card game called chemin de fer?
It’s a baccarat variant; “chemin de fer” means “railway” in French, likely referencing the quick pace or the shoe passing like a train.
What is the #1 card game in the world?
It’s subjective. By global play and media presence, poker and solitaire dominate attention; by family table play, rummy variants are also hugely popular.
Math/Meta Curiosities Card Players Ask
Why is 52 factorial so special?
52! (~8.07×10^67) is the number of possible orderings of a standard deck. It’s so vast that no two genuine shuffles in human history are likely identical.
What is the 75% rule in MTG (Commander)?
A community deck-building philosophy: build your deck to win against strong casual decks ~75% of the time, avoiding fully tuned, oppressive lists.
What is the rule of 3:2:5 in cards?
Often refers to regional trick-taking games like 3-2-5 (Teen Do Paanch): a three-player game where players aim to win 3, 2, and 5 tricks respectively, rotating roles each deal.
Quick Clarifiers Users Often Mix Into Cheat/BS Searches
How to cheat card game (are you asking how to play “Cheat”)?
If you mean the game Cheat/BS, see the rules above. If you’re asking how to break rules, don’t — the fun is in bluffing within the rules, not actual cheating.
How play Cheat card game (step-by-step)?
Deal all cards, choose a starter, announce ranks in order when playing cards face-down, allow challenges, loser of a challenge takes the pile, first to empty hand wins.
