President: Rules and How to Play
President (also called Daifugo) is a card game for 3 to 6 players that takes about 15 minutes. Empty your hand first to take the top rank. Free. In-browser. No account.
Setup
- Three to six players. You need a 52-card deck and two jokers.
- Two cards are set aside face down, then everyone gets the same number of cards.
- In the first round the player at the top of the seating order leads.
How to play
- On your turn, play cards that beat what is on the table, using the same number of cards. When the table is empty you may lead with any legal set.
- You can play a single card, two or more cards of the same number, or three or more cards of one suit in a run.
- If you cannot or do not want to play, you pass. When everyone else has passed, the table is cleared and the last player to play leads again.
- The 3 is the weakest card, then 4, 5 … K, A and 2. A joker beats every number.
- Playing four or more cards of the same number causes a revolution: the order of strength is reversed until the next revolution.
- Playing an 8 clears the table and the same player leads again.
- A single joker can only be answered by the three of spades, played alone.
- If your play repeats the suits of the previous play, those suits are locked for the rest of the trick.
Winning and scoring
- The order in which players empty their hands sets the ranks: millionaire, rich, commoner, poor and beggar (how many steps there are depends on the number of players).
- Finishing on a joker, a 2, an 8 or the three of spades is a foul finish and drops you to last place for that round.
- If last round's millionaire is beaten to first place, they fall from grace and take last place for that round at once.
- After the agreed number of rounds, the player with the most points wins (millionaire +2, rich +1, commoner 0, poor -1, beggar -2).
Defaults on this site
| Item | Default on this site |
|---|---|
| Players | 3–6 players (set automatically by the party size) |
| Turn time limit | None by default (the host can set 30 or 60 seconds) |
| If someone drops mid-game | Reopening on the same device returns you to your seat. If you do not return, the CPU plays in your place. |
| Draws | For games that allow a draw, ratings do not change. |
| Source of the rules | Based on the standard reference rules |
Rules supervised by Qdan, Inc. (based on the standard reference rules)
House rules
Defaults follow the standard reference rules. The party can change these.
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rounds | How many rounds decide the overall winner. | 5 rounds | Yes |
| Revolution | Four or more of the same number reverse the order of strength. | On | Yes |
| Revolution by run | A run of four or more also causes a revolution. | Off | Yes |
| Spade three counter | The three of spades answers a single joker. | On | Yes |
| Seven gives | Playing a 7 passes the same number of cards to the next player. | Off | Yes |
| Eight cut | Playing an 8 clears the table and you lead again. | On | Yes |
| Ten discards | Playing a 10 lets you discard the same number of cards. | Off | Yes |
| Jack back | A jack reverses the order of strength until the table is cleared. | Off | Yes |
| Suit lock | Repeating the suits of the previous play locks them for the trick. | On | Yes |
| Foul finish | Finishing on a joker, a 2, an 8 or the three of spades drops you to last place. | On | Yes |
| Fall from grace | Last round's millionaire takes last place if beaten to first. | On | Yes |
| Jokers | How many jokers go into the deck. | 2 | Yes |
| Card swap | How many cards the millionaire and the beggar swap before the next round (rich and poor swap one fewer). | 2 | Yes |
Terms
- Revolution
- Four or more cards of the same number. It reverses the order of strength.
- Eight cut
- Playing an 8 to clear the table. The same player leads again.
- Suit lock
- When a play repeats the suits of the previous one, only those suits can follow.
- Spade three counter
- Answering a single joker with the three of spades.
- Foul finish
- Finishing on a joker, a 2, an 8 or the three of spades. It drops you to last place for the round.
- Fall from grace
- Last round's millionaire failing to finish first. They take last place at once.
- Run
- Three or more cards of one suit in consecutive order.
FAQ
How does a revolution happen?
Play four or more cards of the same number. The order of strength is reversed, and a second revolution puts it back. Runs do not cause one by default.
Does an 8 inside a run clear the table?
No. Only a single 8, or a set of 8s, clears the table.
What is wrong with a foul finish?
Ending on a joker, a 2, an 8 or the three of spades drops you to last place for the round. A party can turn this off.
What does falling from grace mean?
Last round's millionaire takes last place the moment somebody else finishes first.
How is the card swap decided?
The beggar hands over their two strongest cards and the millionaire gives back their two weakest. Rich and poor swap one card each. The number can be changed in the party settings.
Once I pass, can I play again in the same trick?
No. You are out until the table is cleared.
What house rules are available?
There are several — revolution, eight cut, the spade-three counter, seven gives, ten discards, jack back, fall from grace and more. Some are on by default and some are off; a party can change any of them. See the House Rules table on this page for the full list.
What are revolution and eight cut?
A revolution happens when someone plays four or more cards of the same number — it reverses the order of card strength (on by default). An eight cut happens when someone plays an 8, clearing the table so the same player leads again (on by default). Both can be turned off in the party settings.
Play now with these rules
Last updated 2026-09-13 · Run by Qdan, Inc.