Learn President: Tutorial

On your turn, you play one or more cards of the same rank. You can play:

- A single card

- A pair (two cards of the same rank)

- A triple (three of the same rank)

- A quad (four of the same rank)

The first player to lead a trick sets the trick size. All subsequent plays in that trick must match that size. For example, if someone leads a pair of 7s, you must play a pair (or pass).

Your cards must be of equal or higher rank than the last play. Here Player 1 leads with a single 8 of Clubs.

If you cannot or do not want to beat the current play, you pass. Once you pass, you are out of the current trick and cannot play again until a new trick starts.

A trick ends when all players but one have passed. The last player who played cards wins the trick and leads the next one. The center pile is cleared and the winner starts fresh.

You cannot pass when leading -- if it is your turn to start a new trick, you must play something.

Special rule: playing a 2 (the highest rank) immediately clears the pile and lets you lead again!

Playing pairs, triples, or quads is a powerful strategy! When you lead with multiple cards, all subsequent plays must use the same number of cards.

For example, if you lead with a pair of 5s, the next player must play a pair of 5s or higher (or pass). This can lock out players who do not have matching pairs.

Playing a quad (four of a kind) is especially powerful because it is very difficult for opponents to beat. Quads of 2s are the ultimate play -- unbeatable!

Here Player 1 leads with a pair of 8s, and Player 2 must respond with a pair of 8s or higher.

When you play your last card(s), you go out and receive a finish position:

- 1st out = President (+2 points)

- 2nd out = Vice-President (+1 point) (4+ players)

- Middle = Neutral (0 points)

- 2nd to last = Vice-Asshole (-1 point) (4+ players)

- Last out = Asshole (-2 points)

The order in which players empty their hands determines the social hierarchy for the next round. The faster you shed your cards, the better your role!

Here Player 3 has gone out first, earning the title of President.

In multi-round games, roles from the previous round determine a card exchange at the start of the next round:

- Asshole gives their 2 best cards to the President

- President gives any 2 cards to the Asshole

- Vice-Asshole gives their 1 best card to the Vice-President

- Vice-President gives any 1 card to the Vice-Asshole

The Asshole/Vice-Asshole must give their highest-ranked cards, while the President/Vice-President can choose any cards to give away (typically their worst).

After the exchange, the Asshole leads the first trick of the new round.

Key strategies for President:

- Lead with low cards early to save your high cards for later

- Play pairs and triples when possible -- they are harder to beat

- Hold your 2s for critical moments (clearing the pile or going out)

- Count cards -- know which ranks have been played

- Pass strategically -- sometimes it is better to pass and save strong cards for leading

- Watch hand sizes -- pressure players who are close to going out

As President, you get the best cards from the exchange, making it easier to stay on top. As Asshole, you lose your best cards but lead first -- use that advantage!

In a multi-round game, the game ends after the configured number of rounds. The player with the highest total score wins!

Scoring each round:

- President: +2 points

- Vice-President: +1 point

- Neutral: 0 points

- Vice-Asshole: -1 point

- Asshole: -2 points

Here after 3 rounds, Player 1 wins with 5 points. The key to consistent success is efficient hand management -- shed your worst cards early and keep a strong finishing hand.

Good luck climbing to the top!