Spite & Malice is an engaging competitive patience game designed for two players, perfect for those who enjoy strategic card play. Here's how you can dive into the excitement:

Each player begins with a hand of 5 cards, a pay-off pile of 20 cards, and 4 empty side stacks. In the center of the table, you'll find 3 empty center stacks and a stock pile containing the rest of the deck.

The ultimate goal? Be the first to empty your pay-off pile and claim victory!

The center stacks are built up sequentially from the ace upwards, regardless of suit. For example, you might start with the ace of diamonds, followed by the two of spades, then the three of hearts, and so on. Kings are wild cards, adding a twist to the game. When you play a king on any center stack, it transforms into the card needed to continue the sequence. If you place a king of spades on a ten of clubs, it becomes a queen, keeping the game flowing.

Once a center stack reaches completion (by playing a queen or king on a jack), it's shuffled back into the stock pile, keeping the game dynamic.

Side stacks offer flexibility; you can place any card on them, but remember, only the top card is playable. This adds a layer of strategy to your moves.

At the beginning of your turn, draw cards from the stock pile to ensure your hand contains 5 cards. During your turn, you have several options:

• Play the top card from your pay-off pile onto a center stack.
• Play the top card from one of your side stacks onto a center stack.
• Play a card from your hand onto a center stack.
• Play a card from your hand onto one of your side stacks, which will end your turn.

The game concludes when a player successfully plays their last card from the pay-off pile onto a center stack, winning the game. The winner scores points equal to the number of cards left in the opponent's pay-off pile.

If the stock pile runs out before anyone empties their pay-off pile, the game ends in a tie, with no points awarded.

The first player to accumulate 50 points wins the match, making every game a thrilling race to the top!

Join the fun and test your strategic skills with Spite & Malice!