Spite & Malice is an engaging competitive patience game designed for two players, promising fun and strategic challenges. At the start, each player is equipped with a hand of 5 cards, a pay-off pile of 20 cards, and 4 empty side stacks. The game setup includes 3 empty center stacks and a stock pile that holds the rest of the deck, setting the stage for an exciting battle of wits and luck.

The ultimate goal of Spite & Malice is to be the first to completely empty your pay-off pile. The center stacks are pivotal to gameplay, built upwards starting from an ace, regardless of suit. Imagine laying down an ace of diamonds, then following with a two of spades, and then a three of hearts, and so on. Kings add an intriguing twist to the game; they are wild and can be played on any center stack, transforming to fit seamlessly with the card below. For instance, if you play a king of spades on a ten of clubs, the king morphs into a queen, keeping the sequence alive.

Once a center stack reaches completion by playing a queen or king on a jack, it's shuffled back into the stock pile, refreshing the game's dynamics. Side stacks serve as temporary storage; you can place any card on them, but only the top card is in play, offering strategic options for your turns.

Each turn begins with drawing cards from the stock pile to replenish your hand to 5 cards, setting the stage for your moves. During your turn, you have several options:

• Play the top card from your pay-off pile onto one of the center stacks.
• Move the top card from one of your side stacks to a center stack.
• Use a card from your hand to advance a center stack.
• Place a card from your hand onto one of your side stacks, which concludes your turn.

The game concludes victoriously when a player successfully plays their last card from the pay-off pile onto a center stack, winning the round and earning points equivalent to the number of cards left in their opponent's pay-off pile. However, if the stock pile runs out before either player empties their pay-off pile, the game ends in a draw, with no points awarded.

The first player to accumulate 50 points across multiple games clinches the match, making Spite & Malice a thrilling test of strategy and patience. Ready to challenge your opponent and empty that pay-off pile?