There are many variations of the game you're about to play. We've found other variants under names like, President, The Great Dalmuti and Dilbert Corporate Shuffle among others. However, the game basics remain the same, and to keep things simple we will use this set of rules as our official rule book. We will update the footer with the date of the last update as we make modifications.

The object of each hand is to get rid of the cards in your hand before the others, thereby moving up in rank at the table. The first one out in one hand becomes the President for the next, the second out, the vice-president and so on down the line, the last to go out, the loser, becomes the Scum of the Earth.

But, The TRUE Object of the Game is To enjoy the company of your friends and family, to heckle a bit, to laugh a lot, and to make great memories.

The game is designed for 4 to 7 players using a standard deck of cards. You can play with more than that, however, after 7 you should add an additional deck. The card rank is as follows (lowest to highest) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 J Q K A with the optional Jokers being wild cards.

Typically players draw cards to determine their initial rank, and therefore their seat at the table. Ties are broken by a redraw between the tying players. The person who wins this draw is the higher ranking player. The second-to-winner of the draw sits to the President's left as the Vice-President. Seating continues clockwise around the table to the loser of the draw who is the Scum of the Earth.

While using the scum of the earth app, players will be randomly seated at their beginning tables when the game officially begins..

The Scum of the Earth shuffles the cards and deals one at a time clockwise around the table, starting with the President. It doesn't matter if some players get more cards than others.

If the Scum of the Earth accidentally (it better have been an accident) shows a card while dealing, the President decides 1. the intended recipient gets the card, or 2. the Scum of the Earth gets the card and has to give the intended player a random card from the Scum's pile.

If a player is dealt all of the Jokers (before Tax Season), they may choose to declare a Takeover (Corporate Takeover, Revolution, whatever). They immediately become the President; the person currently to their left becomes the Vice-President; etc down to the person on the new President's right becoming the new Scum of the Earth. You then continue on to Tax Season with out redealing and continue the hand. There are no points awarded while the seats are shuffled.

Before the first trick of a hand. The Scum of the Earth gives the President his best two cards and the President gives the Scum of the Earth, any two cards of their choosing. Likewise the Vice-President and the Second-to-Scum exchange one card in the same fashion. This is paying tax to the President for the privilege of being around the other players.

The President leads the first trick. The winner of each trick after that leads the next. This player leading plays any number of matching card denominations (suit does not matter) to begin the trick.

Play continues clockwise around the table. To play a player must play the same number of cards at a higher denomination than the current cards played. For example, if the lead the was four eights, the next player must play four of any higher denomination or choose to pass. As you might guess, a Joker card can be used as any other card ranked A-K. In response to a lead of four eights, a player could play three cards higher than the eights (nines or above) and a Joker. etc.

If a player cannot or chooses not to play to a trick, they pass. Once a player passes they may resume playing if the trick gets back around to her.

When all players pass in response to a play, the trick is over. The Scum of the Earth then collects the cards played. The player who played last leads to the next trick.

Every player is required to either lay down their cards on the table or verbally announce if they are choosing to pass. A player's turn is considered finished when their cards are placed on the table, provided that the play is valid according to the game's rules. This is succinctly captured in the saying, "A card laid is a card played." It falls upon the subsequent player to verify that the previous player's turn has ended. If a player acts out of sequence, they risk revealing the contents of their hand to everyone at the table.

As soon as a player plays their last card they are out for the current hand. If a player goes out and ends up being the last person to play to the trick, the first person to that player's left who is still in leads to the next trick. Play for a hand continues until all players are out of cards.

The first person to go out for the hand is the President for the next hand. The second person to go out is the Vice-President next hand, etc. The last person to go out becomes the Scum of the Earth for the next hand. Between hands, everyone moves to their new position. The new Scum of the Earth shuffles and deals, and the whole thing starts all over again.

Upon request, the question of the number of cards remaining in a player's hand must be honestly answered whenever asked regardless of who asks it.

When possible, use seats that are obviously ranked. The President should have the nicest chair. Maybe even a nice leather recliner with a built-in cup holder, the Vice-President gets a nice chair (but not as nice). (Some people play where the Scum of the Earth gets no seat at all and has to kneel or stand). Between hands, everyone gets up and moves to their new position, however, the President has the privilege to remain stationary if they so choose (and must announce this to the table before the Scum of the Earth begins dealing), it is then the responsibility of all other players to position themselves accordingly. Essentially, the President's spot is, by default, considered the top of the table hierarchy.

Since the Scum of the Earth is collecting, Shuffling and dealing the next round, the President may ask the Second to Scum to refill drinks at the table and make sure the party treats are well stocked. This is their moment to be at the top. Be mindful however, when the tables turn you might find your place at the Presidents beck and call.

Some play until they can't keep awake any longer, however, to provide some sort of end to the game for those less adventurous, each position is awarded a annual salary after each hand (after trading places but before any possible Takeover). The current President gets 4 points; the Vice-President gets 3 points; the middle players each get 1; the Second to Scum gets -1; and the Scum of the Earth gets -2 (just being allowed to be around the other players is more than enough reward). Pick some ending point before the start of the game, as soon as someone earns that many points, they win and the game is over.

You don't have to play to a trick just because you can. You may want to keep a four-of-a-kind together for later rather than breaking it up to play a pair now. This goes for Tax Season as well; the President may want to keep his six Queens together and give the Scum of the Earth a King and a 10. (The Scum of the Earth doesn't have the option of which cards to pass.)

Well planned use of the Joker near the end of a hand often determines who ends up being the Scum of the Earth. Think before you play this card.

Initial table and seat position will be drawn randomly by scum event app before the start.

• Hand Score: President 4pts, Vice-President 3pts, Citizens 1pt, Second to Scum -1pt, Scum -2pt
• Round Score: Total Points after set amount of hands set by event organizer.
• Event Score: Total Points after set amount of rounds set by event organizer.

Note, the amount of available points per round is the same per table. IE if your the President for 6 hands you score 24 pts, likewise if your the Scum of the Earth each time, -12. What changes each time you move, is your level of competition.