How to Play BS If you’ve ever wanted to be the sneakiest player at the table without getting caught, the game BS (also known as “Cheat,” “I Doubt It,” or “Bluff”) is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s a fast-paced, hilarious card game that thrives on deception, quick thinking, and the occasional poker face. Whether you’re playing with friends, family, or total strangers, BS always guarantees laughs, frustration, and a good dose of suspicion.
But let’s be honest — if you’re new to it, the rules can feel a little confusing at first. Who plays what card? When do you call BS? And how do you win without giving yourself away? Don’t worry — this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to play BS, from the basic setup to pro-level bluffing tips.
What is the Game of BS?
Before you dive into learning how to play BS, it’s important to understand what the game is actually about. BS is a classic bluffing card game played with a standard 52-card deck. The main objective? Get rid of all your cards before anyone else does. Simple enough, right? Well, here’s the twist — you don’t always have to tell the truth about what you’re playing. In fact, lying is part of the fun.
Each player takes turns placing cards face-down in the center, claiming they’ve played certain ranks — like “two Kings” or “one Ace.” The catch is that they might be bluffing. Other players have to decide whether to believe them or call them out by shouting “BS!” If someone calls BS and the player was lying, the liar picks up all the cards in the pile. But if the person was telling the truth, the challenger gets punished and takes the pile instead.
It’s a simple formula that quickly turns into a chaotic mix of mind games, guesses, and laughter. The beauty of BS lies in its unpredictability — even the most honest-looking person at the table could be your biggest bluffer.
How to Set Up the Game of BS How to Play BS
Setting up the game is super easy — you don’t need anything fancy. All you need is a standard deck of 52 cards and a group of 3 to 8 players. The more players you have, the more unpredictable and fun the game gets.
Start by shuffling the deck thoroughly and dealing all the cards evenly among the players. Don’t worry if some people have one more card than others; that’s totally fine. Each player should keep their cards hidden in their hand — no peeking or showing allowed.
Now, choose who will go first. Typically, the player with the Ace of Spades or simply the youngest player starts. The first player begins by placing one or more cards face-down in the center and declaring what they’re supposedly playing. For example:
“I’m playing one Ace.”
Even if that player doesn’t actually have an Ace, they can How to Play BS bluff — that’s the whole point of the game. The next player continues the sequence with the next rank in order (so after Aces come Twos, then Threes, and so on up to Kings, then back to Aces again).
The setup is that easy, and once everyone understands the rotation, things start to get interesting fast.
Step-by-Step: How to Play BS
Now that you’ve got the setup ready, let’s walk through the actual gameplay step by step. This is where things get fun — and a bit sneaky.
Step 1: Declare and Play Your Cards
When it’s your turn, play one or more cards face-down in the middle and declare what you’re supposedly playing. For example:
“Two Fours.”
You can either be honest or bluff entirely. Maybe you’re actually playing two Fours — or maybe they’re two Sevens. No one knows except you.
Step 2: The Other Players Decide
After you’ve made your move, the other players have a chance How to Play BS to call you out. If someone thinks you’re lying, they can say “BS!” out loud. If nobody challenges your play, the next person continues with the next rank in order.
Step 3: Calling BS
This is where things get spicy. When someone calls BS, the cards you How to Play BS played are flipped over for everyone to see. If you were bluffing, congratulations — you just got caught. You’ll have to pick up the entire pile of cards in the middle. But if you were actually telling the truth, the challenger picks up the pile instead.
Step 4: Keep Going
The game keeps moving in order — Ace, Two, Three, Four, and so on — and everyone keeps playing, bluffing, and calling each other out until someone runs out of cards. The first person with no cards left wins!
Winning the Game
The first player to successfully get rid of all their cards without getting caught in a lie is declared the winner. But winning BS isn’t just about luck — it’s about psychology and timing. You need to know when to tell the truth, when to bluff, and when to call someone else’s bluff.
Some rounds will feel like a poker match. Others will dissolve into laughter as someone confidently calls “BS!” only to find out the cards were real. Winning consistently requires reading people’s faces, keeping track of played cards, and maintaining a calm demeanor even when you’re flat-out lying.
Expert Tips and Tricks to Master BS How to Play BS
Want to go from beginner to bluffing legend? Here are a few expert tips to help you dominate your next BS game.
1. Keep a Poker Face
If you’re going to bluff, sell it. Don’t laugh, fidget, or look nervous when you lie. Confidence makes people second-guess themselves — and that’s exactly what you want.
2. Track What’s Been Played
Pay attention to what cards have been called already. If three Kings have supposedly been played and someone claims to have “two more,” you know something’s off. This strategy gives you a logical edge instead of relying purely on guesses.
3. Mix Truth and Lies
If you always lie, people will start catching on. If you always tell the truth, you’ll never get ahead. The trick is to mix honesty and deception. Tell the truth just often enough to make your bluffs believable.
4. Don’t Always Call BS
Calling BS too often can backfire. Sometimes it’s smarter to let a questionable play slide and wait for a more obvious lie. The fewer cards you have to pick up, the better.
5. Watch Body Language
People’s faces can be giveaways. Maybe someone always smirks when they lie, or avoids eye contact when telling the truth. Watch and learn — your opponents will reveal more than they think.
Why BS Is Such a Great Game
The beauty of BS is that it’s easy to learn but endlessly entertaining. It’s perfect for parties, family nights, or casual hangouts. Every game feels different because it depends on the personalities at the table — the confident bluffers, the cautious skeptics, and the wild cards who throw logic out the window.
It’s not just about winning, either. BS helps build social awareness, quick decision-making, and even confidence in public speaking (seriously, trying to sound convincing in front of a skeptical crowd is no small feat).
At its core, BS is about fun, laughter, and the art of bluffing. Whether you win or lose, you’ll end every round with stories to laugh about later.
Final Thoughts: Bluff Boldly, Laugh Often
Learning how to play BS is like learning a secret language of lies, trust, and hilarious chaos. It’s not about perfection — it’s about confidence and connection. The more you play, the better you’ll get at reading people and controlling your own reactions.
So next time you’re hanging out with friends and want a game that’s equal parts strategy and silliness, grab a deck of cards and shout those two magical letters: “BS!”
