Pitty Pat – Rules

Play Pitty Pat against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? Pitty Pat is a quick family game in Belize and the Caribbean. Everyone holds five cards and looks for partners for them: two cards of the same rank make a pair. But a pair can only be made with the face-up card – whoever has laid down three pairs wins.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 52 French cards.
• Only rank counts: Two cards of the same rank make a pair; suit doesn't matter.
• Face up and face down: Hands concealed, face-up card in the middle, pairs face up.

3. Preparation and start

1. Dealing: Everyone gets 5 cards.
2. Face-up card: The top stock card is placed face up.
3. Start: The player left of the dealer begins.

Start example: An 8 lies face up. You hold an 8 – you take the face-up 8 and lay down the pair.

4. Goal and winning

• A deal: Whoever lays down their third pair has no cards left and wins.
• Game: The first to win three deals wins.

5. Play in detail

A turn.

1. If the face-up card matches one of your cards: take it, lay down the pair and discard a card – it now lies face up for the next player.
2. If it doesn't match: it is taken out of play and you turn over the top stock card.
3. If the turned card matches: lay down the pair and discard a card.
4. If it doesn't match: it stays face up and the next player is on.

Example with Players 1 to 3. Order: Player 1, 2, 3.

1. A queen lies face up. Player 1 has no queen – it is taken out of play. He turns over a 4 – he has a 4: a pair! He discards a king.
2. Player 2 has no king. He turns over a 9 that doesn't match – the 9 stays face up.
3. Player 3 has a 9: a pair, and he discards a 2.
4. Player 1 has a 2: a pair – his second. He discards a 6.

6. Scoring

• No points: Only deals won count.
• With stakes (variant): The winner takes the pot.

7. Special rules and situations

• No pairs from your hand: Pairs already in your hand may not simply be laid down – a pair is always made with the face-up or turned card.
• Stock empty: The cards taken out of play are reshuffled.
• Five players: With two packs.
• Common mistakes: discarding cards the next player might need.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: 5 cards, three pairs to win, game to 3 deals won.

When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play against one to four computer opponents (standard: four players), game to 3 or 5 deals won.

9. Tips for beginners

1. Discard often-seen ranks: There are hardly any partners left for them.
2. Don't feed: Don't discard a card the next player was just looking for.
3. Watch opponents: What they don't take, they don't have.
4. Keep different ranks: A hand of all different ranks has the most chances.
5. Play fast: Pitty Pat lives on pace.
6. Keep count: How many cards of a rank have gone?
7. Fun first: Ideal for children and families.

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 52 cards, 2–5 players.
2. 5 cards each.
3. One card face up.
4. It matches: take it, lay down the pair, discard.
5. It doesn't: out of play, turn over a stock card.
6. That one matches: lay down the pair, discard.
7. Otherwise it stays for the next player.
8. Pairs only with the face-up card.
9. Third pair: no cards left, you win.
10. Three deals won win the game.

11. Frequently asked questions

What is a pair?

Two cards of the same rank, whatever the suit.

May I lay down a pair from my hand?

No, a pair is only made with the face-up or turned card.

What happens to cards that don't match?

They are taken out of play.

How many pairs do I need?

Three.

What happens when the stock runs out?

The discarded cards are reshuffled.

How long does a game take?

About 10 to 20 minutes.

Origin & history

Pitty Pat is regarded as the national card game of Belize and is played there in families and on the street; it is also known in Jamaica. The game is fast and simple and is often played for small stakes. It is a very simple relative of rummy.