Speed Card Game – Play Free Online
Speed is a fast card game for two players and one ordinary deck. There are no turns: you and your opponent slap cards down at the same time, each one one higher or one lower than a pile in the middle, and the first to get rid of all 20 cards wins. Play the Speed card game free online against the computer above. Playing at home with real cards? Read the full Speed card game rules.
- Real-time vs ComputerNo turns. You both play at once, just like the real thing.
- Easy, Medium, HardStart relaxed and work up to a computer with lightning reflexes.
- Tap or dragTap a card and it jumps to the right pile, or drag it where you want.
- Playable cards glowGreat for learning. Turn it off in the menu for a real challenge.
- Pause any timeBuilt for phones first, and it pauses itself if you switch apps.
What is Speed?
Speed is a two-player shedding game played with a standard 52-card deck. Unlike most card games, there are no turns: both players play at the same time, as fast as they can. It’s a family favourite, quick to learn and over in a couple of minutes, and a close cousin of Spit (sometimes called Slam) – in some places the names are used for the same game. Because it rewards quick eyes and quick hands, it’s also a brilliant way for kids to practise counting up and down.
How to set up Speed
You need one standard 52-card deck with the jokers taken out. Shuffle, then deal:
- 5 cards to each player – this is your hand. Pick it up.
- 15 cards to each player, face down – this is your draw pile. Put it beside you.
- Two side piles of 6, face down, in the middle between you, with a gap between them for the two play piles.
That’s all 52 cards: 20 each, plus 12 in the side piles. On “go”, both players flip the top card of a side pile into the gap at the same moment to start the two play piles.
How to play Speed
- Set up as above: a hand of 5 and a draw pile of 15 each, and two side piles of 6 in the middle.
- Start. Both players flip the top card of a side pile into the middle at the same moment, making two face-up piles. Then shout “Speed!” and go.
- Play. Put down any card from your hand that is one rank higher or lower than the top card of either middle pile. Suits don’t matter, and Aces wrap round, so an Ace goes on a King or a 2. Play one card at a time, but as many as you like, as fast as you like.
- Keep five cards. Whenever you have fewer than five cards in your hand, draw from your draw pile to get back to five. (In this game it happens for you, for both players.)
- When nobody can play, both players flip a new card from the side piles onto the middle piles at the same time, and play carries on.
- Win. The first player to get rid of every card in their hand and draw pile wins. In a real game they slap the table and shout “Speed!”.
For every detail – playing at the same time, running out of side piles and house rules – see the full Speed card game rules.
Speed rules at a glance
| Rule | Speed (2 players) |
|---|---|
| Deck | One standard 52-card deck, no jokers |
| Each player | Hand of 5 + draw pile of 15 (20 cards) |
| Middle | Two side piles of 6, two face-up play piles |
| What you can play | One rank higher or lower than a pile’s top card |
| Suits | Don’t matter |
| Aces | High and low: A goes on K or 2 |
| Turns | None – both play at the same time |
| Stuck | Both flip a side card onto the middle |
| Winner | First to play all 20 of their cards |
Read the full Speed card game rules, with examples and house rules.
What if the side piles run out?
If nobody can play and the side piles are empty, pick up each middle pile (leaving its top card), shuffle it and put it face down as a new side pile. Then flip as usual. This game does all of that for you.
Playing against the computer
Pick the level that suits you. The computer only ever sees its own cards and the two piles in the middle, so it plays fair at every level. The level changes how fast it reacts:
- Easy – a relaxed pace, about two seconds per card. Perfect for learning the game or playing with children.
- Medium – a steady opponent that looks for runs of cards. A fair race for most players.
- Hard – lightning reflexes and smart runs. You’ll need to plan ahead to win.
Speed strategy tips
- Look for runs. If you hold a 6, 7 and 8, play them in a row on the same pile: 6 on a 5, then 7, then 8. Runs win games.
- Watch both piles. Most beginners stare at one pile. Glance at both after every card.
- Pick the pile that keeps you going. When a card fits both piles, put it where your next card can follow. (Tap a card here and the game does this for you.)
- Don’t hesitate. If a card fits, play it. A pile that changes under your opponent’s hand slows them down.
- Remember the wrap. Kings and Aces sit next to each other, which is easy to miss in the rush.
Speed, Spit and California Speed: what’s the difference?
These real-time card games are often mixed up, and families use the names differently. Here’s how they usually compare:
| Speed | Spit | California Speed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cards each | 20 (hand of 5 + 15) | 26 | 26 |
| Your cards | A hand of 5, refilled from a draw pile | Five stock piles in a row, top cards face up | Four face-up cards in front of you |
| How you play | One higher or lower on a middle pile | One higher or lower on a middle pile | Cover any cards of the same rank |
| You win when | You’ve played all 20 cards | You get rid of all your cards, usually over several rounds | You’ve played all 26 cards |
Spit (also called Slam)
Spit is the closest relative of Speed – in some places the two names mean the same game. Each player gets half the deck and lays out five stock piles of 1 to 5 cards, top cards face up, keeping the rest as “spit cards”. Both shout “Spit!”, turn up a spit card each to start two piles, and then play up or down onto them just like Speed. When nobody can move, both turn up another spit card.
California Speed
California Speed works differently. Each player has 26 cards and deals four face up, making a row of eight between the two players. Whenever two or more cards of the same rank are showing anywhere, race to cover them with cards from your pile. When there are no matches, each player picks up their own four stacks, puts them under their pile and deals four new cards. The first to play every card wins.
Other ways to play
- Speed with jokers – jokers are wild and can stand for any rank once played.
- No wrapping – some families don’t let Aces go on Kings. Agree before you start.
Speed FAQ
Is Speed a card game?
Yes. Speed is a fast card game for two players, played with one standard 52-card deck. There are no turns: both players race at the same time to play their cards one higher or lower onto two piles in the middle, and the first to get rid of all their cards wins.
Is this Speed card game free?
Yes. It is completely free, runs in your browser and needs no download, app or account.
How do you play Speed?
Each player has a five-card hand and a fifteen-card draw pile. Two cards are turned up in the middle, and both players play at the same time, putting down any card one rank higher or lower than either middle card. Refill your hand from your draw pile as you go. The first player to get rid of all their cards wins.
Is Speed the same as Spit?
They are close cousins, and some people use the names for the same game. Both are real-time games where you play cards one higher or lower onto shared piles. In Spit each player splits the deck in half and lays out five face-up stock piles instead of holding a hand of five.
What is California Speed?
California Speed is a different real-time game. Each player has 26 cards and deals four face up, making eight cards on the table. Whenever two or more cards of the same rank show, players race to cover them with new cards from their pile. The first to play all their cards wins.
Can I play Speed against the computer?
Yes. Choose Easy, Medium or Hard. The level only changes how fast the computer reacts and whether it plans a run of cards. It never sees your hand.
Can I pause a game of Speed?
Yes. Tap the pause button at any time. The game also pauses by itself if you switch tabs, and counts you back in when you resume.