G4A: Spite & Malice

Spite & Malice is an exciting competitive patience game designed for two players, perfect for those who enjoy strategic card play. Each player begins with a hand of 5 cards, a pay-off pile consisting of 20 cards, and 4 empty side stacks. In the center of the play area, you'll find 3 empty center stacks and the stock pile, which holds the rest of the deck.

The ultimate goal is to be the first to empty your pay-off pile. The center stacks are built up sequentially from ace to king, regardless of suit. For instance, you could start with the ace of diamonds, then play the two of spades, followed by the three of hearts, and so on. Kings hold a special power in this game—they are wild cards. When you play a king on a center stack, it transforms into the card needed to continue the sequence. So, if you place a king of spades on top of a ten of clubs, that king becomes a queen.

Once a center stack reaches its completion by playing a queen or king on a jack, the stack is shuffled back into the stock pile. Side stacks offer more flexibility; you can place any card on them, but remember, only the top card of each side stack is playable during your turn.

At the beginning of your turn, you replenish your hand to 5 cards from the stock pile. Your turn can include several types of moves:

• 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.
• Play a card directly from your hand onto a center stack.
• Place a card from your hand onto one of your side stacks, which will end your turn.

The game concludes when a player successfully plays their last card from the pay-off pile onto a center stack, securing victory. The winner earns points equivalent to the number of cards left in the opponent's pay-off pile. If the stock pile runs out before anyone empties their pay-off pile, the game ends in a draw, with no points awarded to either player. The first player to accumulate 50 points wins the match!