How to Play Stress (Card Game)

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Reviewed by Ashton Wu

Last Updated: February 24, 2025

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Setting Up

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Playing the Game

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

Stress is a fun two player card game that requires you to be fast and think fast. It uses elements of the card game Speed. This can be played at any age; you just need 2 players and a regular 52 card deck (without jokers).

Part 1

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Setting Up

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Player A and Player B should each have 26 cards.
If there are any cards with the same number/letter, just stack them on top of each other until you have 4 different cards/piles.

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Pile A is where Player A should put their card and Pile B is where Player B should put their card. Now each player should have 21 cards.

Part 2

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Playing the Game

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to get rid off your cards first.
This is just like speed. Replace the cards you use from your original stack of cards.
If the two cards in the middle are the same, you must be the first to place each of your hands on each card and say "stress" so that the opposing player must take all the cards. They shuffle their cards and you each place one new card in the middle to continue the game
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Refresh the cards as needed:
- If neither player has any cards to place on the Pile A or Pile B, place a random card from your deck on top of your respective pile until one player is able to play.
- If both players have cards on the table but no cards in their hand, they must each take their respective pile and use it as their new deck.

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Question

When an ace is played is it high or low? In other words, do you play a 2 or a King?

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Community Answer

You can play both. Always remember the order, A,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,J,Q,K. So, if there is a K you can put either an A or a Q.

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What should we put in the middle?

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When you start, both of the players must each put a card in the middle. Then you can put your own 4 cards. So, if there is a K and 4 and you have the numbers, A,2,9,3, you can put an A at the K card and 3 at the 4 card.

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How can I be fast at playing stress?

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The key is to play calmly. For example, don't think, "If i need to win, I need to play fast." You can think vastly if you play calmly. Calm does not mean slow.

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Tips

Make sure to pay attention to the middle cards so you'll be able to say "Stress" before your opponent.

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Pay attention to your opponents cards

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You'll want to try to make your respective pile have the least amount of cards in case you'll need to use it as your new deck.

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