• 🃏  How to Play Pitty Pat
• 📏  Pitty Pat Rules (and Winning Tips)
• 🔀  Pitty Pat Variations
• 🍻  Pitty Pat as a Drinking Game
• ❓  FAQs About the Pitty Pat Card Game

Let’s be honest — some card games are all brains and bluffing. Pitty Pat is not one of them. This one’s all about speed, luck, and the kind of chaotic energy that makes for great comebacks and even better trash talk.

It’s simple enough for kids to play, but don’t be fooled—it gets spicy real fast, especially if someone throws in house rules or a drinking twist.

The pitty pat card game is a southern staple, often played at family parties, game nights, and anywhere people want fast-paced fun without thinking too hard.

👉 Looking for more family-friendly chaos? Check out these 13 fun games to play with family, perfect for game nights, weekends, or just making core memories.

And because the rules are easy to pick up, it’s the perfect warm-up before you get into more strategic or wild drinking games later in the night.

How to Play Pitty Pat

At its core, Pitty Pat is a race to get rid of your cards by matching them to a pile in the center. The first player to empty their hand wins the round—and gets the bragging rights (or the free shot, if you’re spicing things up).

1. Deal 5 cards each.

You’ll need a standard 52-card deck. Deal 5 cards to each player, and place the rest face-down as a draw pile.

2. Flip a starter card.

Take the top card from the draw pile and place it face-up in the center. This is the pile everyone will try to match.

3. Take turns matching cards.

On your turn, you can place a card from your hand that matches the rank of the center card (e.g., play a 7 on a 7). If you can’t match, draw from the pile.

4. Replace the matched card.

After a match, place the card you used in the center pile—this becomes the new card for the next player to match.

5. First to empty their hand wins.

Keep going until someone plays all their cards. That person wins the round, and you can reshuffle and go again if you’re playing multiple rounds.

Pitty Pat Rules (and Winning Tips)

Pitty Pat is all about speed and attention—but there are a few sneaky ways to play smarter and tilt the odds in your favor.

1. Watch the pile.

Keep track of which ranks are coming up often. This can help you decide whether to hold onto a match for later or use it now.

2. Don’t hold back.

You might be tempted to save a match, but that can backfire fast. If you’ve got it, play it—you never know when you’ll get stuck with a useless hand.

3. Burn through that deck.

Draw fast and keep the game moving. Slow players are sitting ducks, especially if the group decides to introduce speed rounds or drinking penalties.

Pitty Pat Variations

Like any great card game, Pitty Pat has evolved into several house rules and spins that can shake things up.

1. Speed Pat

No turns—everyone plays at the same time. First to get rid of all their cards wins. Chaos guaranteed.

2. Team Pitty Pat

Pair up into teams. Teammates sit across from each other and work together to empty both hands first.

3. Pat Royale

Play with more than four players by combining two decks. The center pile becomes a free-for-all.

4. Double Trouble

Players must match two cards of the same rank at once instead of one. Makes the game trickier and more strategic.

Pitty Pat as a Drinking Game

Yes, Pitty Pat can absolutely turn into a drinking game — and no, it’s not just an excuse to drink when you lose (though that works too). All you need are some drinks, a standard deck, and a few spicy rules.

👉 Check out these top 13 card drinking games to keep the good times rolling.

1. Take a sip when you draw

Every time you’re forced to draw because you can’t match, take a sip. If you draw more than once in a turn, sip for each card.

2. Drink if you miss a match

If someone points out that you could’ve matched but didn’t, you drink. No backtracking!

3. Loser takes a shot

Whoever finishes last or gets stuck with the most cards when the round ends has to take a shot or finish their drink.

FAQs About the Pitty Pat Card Game

1. Can kids play Pitty Pat?

Yes! The base game is super kid-friendly. Just leave out the drinking rules, obviously.

2. How many people can play Pitty Pat?

Anywhere from 2 to 5 works best. If you’re more than 5, consider using two decks to avoid running out of cards too quickly.

3. What happens if the draw pile runs out?

If no one can play and the draw pile is empty, the round ends. Count remaining cards—whoever has the fewest wins, or just reshuffle and go again.