How to Play Nertz
The fast, frantic, competitive solitaire race
Objective
Empty your 13-card "Nertz pile" before anyone else by playing cards to shared foundation piles.
Players
2-6+ players. Works with any number! Each player needs their own deck with a unique back design.
Equipment
One standard 52-card deck per player. Each deck must have a different back design to sort cards after rounds.
The Chaos
Everyone plays simultaneously! No turns. It's a race. Expect hands flying everywhere!
Game Setup
Each Player Sets Up Their Area
Sit around a large table with space in the middle. Each player needs room for their own cards.
Create Your Nertz Pile
Deal 13 cards face down in a pile, then flip the top card face up. This is your Nertz pile - your goal is to empty it!
Deal Your Work Piles
Deal 4 cards face up in a row next to your Nertz pile. These are your work piles (like solitaire columns).
Hold Your Stock
The remaining cards (about 35) are your stock pile, held in your hand face down.
Layout Diagram
Your Area:
[NERTZ] [Work1] [Work2] [Work3] [Work4]
13 cards 4 face-up work piles
(top face up)
[STOCK in hand] [WASTE - empty to start]
CENTER: Foundation piles (shared by all!)
[A♠→K] [A♥→K] [A♣→K] [A♦→K] ...
Playing the Game
EVERYONE PLAYS AT ONCE!
There are NO TURNS. Someone says "Go!" and everyone plays simultaneously. It's a race! Use only ONE hand to move cards.
Foundation Piles (Center)
Anyone can start a foundation by playing an Ace to the center. Build UP by suit (A-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-J-Q-K). Anyone can play to any foundation!
Work Piles (Your Area)
Build DOWN in alternating colors (like solitaire). Red 6 goes on black 7. Move cards or stacks between your own work piles. You can also play FROM work piles TO foundations.
Your Nertz Pile
Play the top card of your Nertz pile onto foundations or your work piles. When you move that card, flip the next card face up. EMPTYING THIS PILE IS YOUR GOAL!
Your Stock Pile
Flip through your stock 3 cards at a time (or 1 at a time - decide before starting). Play the visible card to foundations or work piles. When you reach the end, flip the waste over and continue.
Ending the Round
Calling "NERTZ!"
When you play the last card from your Nertz pile, yell "NERTZ!" as loud as you can. Everyone must immediately STOP playing!
After "Nertz" is Called
- Everyone stops playing immediately
- Sort all foundation pile cards by deck back design
- Count cards for scoring
- Reshuffle and play another round!
Important Rules
- One hand only: You can only use one hand to move cards
- One card at a time to foundations: No stacking multiple cards at once onto center piles
- Don't block others: Keep your cards in your area; don't reach across people
- Collisions: If two players try to play on the same foundation, first one down wins. Return the other card.
- No takebacks: Once a card is placed, it stays
How Scoring Works
Point Calculation
Scoring Example
Sample Round (Player A calls Nertz)
Negative Scores are Possible!
If you have too many cards left in your Nertz pile, you can end up with negative points for the round. That's why emptying your Nertz pile matters so much!
Sorting Cards After Each Round
Why Unique Deck Backs Matter
After each round, you need to sort all the foundation cards back to their owners. This is why each player must have a distinctly different deck back!
Sorting tips:
- Sort foundation piles first (count as you go)
- Return cards to owners
- Each player counts their remaining Nertz pile cards
- Record scores, then reshuffle
Winning the Game
Game Length Options
Core Strategy
Nertz Pile is EVERYTHING
Every decision should prioritize emptying your Nertz pile. Don't get distracted building pretty work piles - focus on playing Nertz cards!
Opening Moves
Play Aces Immediately
Start foundations fast! Get your Aces to the center before others. Having more foundations gives you more places to play.
Check Your Nertz Card
Look at your top Nertz card. Can it play immediately? If not, can you create a spot on your work piles?
Build Work Piles Strategically
Build work piles to uncover and play Nertz cards. An empty work pile lets you move a King there.
Speed vs. Accuracy
Be Fast, Not Sloppy
Speed matters, but mistakes cost time:
- Placing wrong cards means taking them back
- Reaching across the table causes collisions
- Messy work piles slow you down
Find your rhythm - smooth is fast!
Advanced Tactics
Watch the Foundations
Know what cards can play to center piles. If foundations are stuck on 5s, don't waste time looking for 2s to play!
Empty Work Pile = Flexibility
An empty work pile is valuable - you can move a King there (from Nertz pile or elsewhere) to start building down.
Stock Pile Management
Cycle through your stock efficiently. If you've seen every card and none play, something's blocked - fix your work piles!
Physical Tips
- Good posture: Sit where you can reach the center comfortably
- Organize your space: Keep work piles neat and accessible
- Dominant hand: Use your stronger hand for playing (you can only use one)
- Stay calm: Panic leads to mistakes; focused speed wins
- Clear the center: Don't hover - play and pull back
Alternative Names
This game goes by many names:
- Nertz: Most common name
- Pounce: Popular alternative
- Racing Demon: British name
- Nerts: Alternate spelling
- Scrooge: Some regions
- Peanuts: Occasional name
Common Variations
Choose before starting:
- 3-card flip: Standard - flip 3 cards, play top one
- 1-card flip: Easier, faster - flip one at a time
- No limit: Go through stock unlimited times
- Limited passes: Only go through stock 3 times
Standard is 13 cards, but you can adjust:
- 10 cards = faster games
- 15 cards = longer, more strategic
- Match to player count = balance skill levels
Partners sit across from each other. You can play on your teammate's work piles (but not their Nertz pile). Either teammate emptying their Nertz ends the round; combined team score.
Players can use both hands instead of just one. Much faster and more chaotic! Not recommended for beginners.
Scoring Variations
The player who calls Nertz gets a bonus: +10 points, or double their foundation cards.
Instead of -2 per Nertz card remaining, the penalty increases: -1 for card 1-5, -2 for 6-10, -3 for 11-13.
Where to Get Different Decks
Deck Sources
- Airlines (collect from flights)
- Casinos (used decks are cheap)
- Themed decks (Star Wars, art, etc.)
- Vintage/thrift stores
- Playing card subscription boxes
- Dedicated Nertz/Pounce sets (12 decks)