Nerts
Multiplayer solitaire at full speed. Everyone races to build shared foundations.
Setup
Each player needs their own deck with a distinct back. Deal a 13-card Nerts pile and four tableau cards.
How to Play
- Play cards to shared foundations by suit from ace upward.
- Build your tableau downward alternating colors.
- Cycle through your stock three cards at a time.
- Call Nerts when your Nerts pile is empty.
How to Win
Score foundation cards minus cards left in your Nerts pile; highest score after several rounds wins.
Use different deck backs so scoring is painless.
Is Nerts Right for You?
Nerts is a frantic, real-time competitive solitaire race for two to six players, each working their own layout simultaneously to a shared pool of foundation piles. Reach for it when a group wants noise, speed, and the chaos of everyone playing at once with no turns.
Maybe skip it if: Anyone who dislikes hectic, hand-clashing speed games will find it stressful rather than fun.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting that foundations are communal: anyone can build on any Ace pile in the center, so speed beats ownership.
- Letting your 13-card Nerts pile stall while you fiddle with work piles, since emptying it is how you call Nerts and end the round.
Strategy Tips
- Prioritize playing your Nerts pile down at every chance, even over tidier tableau moves.
- Watch the center foundations constantly; a card you cannot place now may become playable the instant an opponent builds up a pile.
Popular Variations
Pounce
A common regional name for the same game, sometimes with slightly different pile counts or layouts.
Solitaire Scoring
You score the cards you placed on the center foundations and subtract a penalty (often 2 each) for cards left in your Nerts pile.
Our Take
We find Nerts gloriously chaotic, a card game that feels like a sport with all the shouting and grabbing that implies. It is our recommendation when a group wants energy and laughter over quiet contemplation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you win a round of Nerts?
The first player to empty their 13-card Nerts pile shouts Nerts to stop play; then everyone scores the cards they sent to the center minus a penalty for cards left in their pile.
Do you need multiple decks for Nerts?
Yes, each player uses their own full 52-card deck with a distinct back design so cards can be sorted out afterward.