Variation: If you want to play with more than 6 people, you can play as teams of two. Just be sure to sit next to your partner and use the same deck as them. [2] X Research source

The Nertz pile is the stack of 13 cards you’re trying to empty. You’ll trigger the end of the game if you’re able to play all of the cards from your Nertz pile. Every player has their own Nertz pile.

Each card in the row forms a work pile where you can play cards from your Nertz pile or hand. Every player has their own work piles so you’ll never play a card in another player’s pile.

Example: A work pile has a black 7 and the top card of your Nertz pile is a red 6. You can play the red 6 on top of the black 7. Example: You have a red jack in one work pile. Another work pile has a stack with a black 10 and a red 9. You can move the stack with the black 10 and red 9 on top of the red jack. Aces are considered the lowest card in each suit.

Example: There’s a 2 of spades in the foundation pile and you have a 3 of spades on top of your Nertz pile. You can move the 3 of spades to the foundation pile and flip over the next card of your Nertz pile. As soon as someone plays a king on a foundation pile, flip the pile over to show that you can’t play cards to it anymore. You score points for playing cards to the foundation piles, so pay close attention to see if you have any cards on top of your Nertz or work piles that you can add to them.

Example: There’s a 2 of spades in the foundation pile and you have a 3 of spades on top of your Nertz pile. You can move the 3 of spades to the foundation pile and flip over the next card of your Nertz pile. As soon as someone plays a king on a foundation pile, flip the pile over to show that you can’t play cards to it anymore. You score points for playing cards to the foundation piles, so pay close attention to see if you have any cards on top of your Nertz or work piles that you can add to them.

When you run out of cards in your stock pile, flip the waste pile face-down to make your new stock pile. If all players are stuck and can’t make any moves, pick up your waste pile to form your stock pile. Then, take the top card of the stock pile and put it on the bottom before you resume playing. [10] X Research source

When you run out of cards in your stock pile, flip the waste pile face-down to make your new stock pile. If all players are stuck and can’t make any moves, pick up your waste pile to form your stock pile. Then, take the top card of the stock pile and put it on the bottom before you resume playing. [10] X Research source

While it’s usually best to play a card from your Nertz pile, you may want to use a high-valued card from your waste pile so you’re able to move more cards around.

If you want to score extra points, you can move cards onto the foundation piles from your work piles before you shout “Nertz. ”

Example: If you have 3 cards left in your Nertz pile, you’ll lose 6 points.

If 2 players cross 100 points in the same round, whoever called “Nertz!” for the round wins. Otherwise, whoever has the higher score wins.