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How to play Nertz (2026) — Nertz (also spelled Nerts, and known as Pounce or Racing Demon) is competitive solitaire at full speed. Every player has their own deck and their own layout, there are no turns, and everyone plays at once onto shared piles in the middle of the table. The first player to empty their Nertz pile calls “Nertz!” and the round ends. Here is how to set up, play and score.
The best deck set for Nertz: Bicycle Nertz Card Game
Each player needs a deck with a different back so cards can be sorted after a round. This set has eight color-coded Bicycle decks with jumbo indexes, enough for up to eight players.
Price band: $20–$30 (about $29) · Check today’s price on Amazon
Nertz at a glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 or more; with 6 or more, play in pairs |
| Decks | One standard deck per player or team, each with a different back |
| Play style | Simultaneous, no turns |
| Goal | Empty your Nertz pile and play the most cards to the center |
| Game length | Rounds to 100 points |
Setting up your layout
- Nertz pile: deal 13 cards in a stack, twelve face down and the thirteenth face up on top.
- Work piles: deal four cards face up in a row beside the Nertz pile.
- Stock: hold the rest of your deck face down. You will turn these three at a time onto your own waste pile.
- Center: leave space in the middle for shared foundation piles.
Playing a round of Nertz
Someone says “go” and everyone plays as fast as they can, using one hand to move cards. You can build on your own work piles in descending order and alternating colors (a red six on a black seven) and move whole sequences between your work piles. Fill an empty work pile with any card from your Nertz pile, waste pile or another work pile. When the top card of your Nertz pile is played, flip the next one.
Aces go to the center to start foundations, and anyone can build up on any foundation by suit, ace to king. The cards you can play to the center are the top of your Nertz pile, the exposed card of each work pile and the top of your waste pile. If two players hit the same foundation at once, the card that landed first stays.
Using your stock
Turn your stock three cards at a time onto your waste pile, keeping their order. When you run through it, flip the waste pile over to start again. If every player is stuck, everyone moves the top card of their stock to the bottom and play continues.
Calling Nertz and scoring
When your Nertz pile is empty you may call “Nertz!” and play stops immediately. You do not have to call it right away if you think you can improve your score. Then sort the center piles by card back.
| Scoring | Points |
|---|---|
| Each of your cards in the center | +1 |
| Each card left in your Nertz pile | −2 |
Play rounds until someone reaches 100 points. The player who calls Nertz usually, but not always, scores highest.
Table etiquette for a fast game
- One hand at a time. Move cards with one hand; you can hold your stock in the other.
- Only touch your own layout. You may play to any foundation in the center, but never take cards back out of the center or touch another player’s piles.
- Move one card at a time except when shifting a whole sequence between your own work piles.
- Use sturdy cards. Center piles get slapped and scrambled, so slick, durable decks hold up better.
Nertz strategy
- Work your Nertz pile first. It is the only pile that costs you points.
- Keep a work pile empty when you can, so you can drop your next Nertz card into it.
- Watch the center. Play twos and threes fast before others take the spot.
- Do not chase every foundation. Losing a race wastes time; keep your own layout moving.
Nertz variations
- Jokers: add two jokers per deck as wild cards; announce the card a joker stands for before playing it to the center.
- Shorter Nertz pile: deal 11 or 12 cards for faster rounds.
- Bonus scoring: some groups give 25 points to the player who calls Nertz.
- Like fast card games? Try Speed or Dutch Blitz.
Using standard decks? Any decks work as long as every player’s backs look different. If you only have two back colors, two players can use a Bicycle multi-deck pack. For more card games, see our guide to adult games with playing cards.
Nertz questions
How many cards are in a Nertz pile?
Thirteen: twelve face down and one face up on top.
Why do you need different decks in Nertz?
So that after the round you can sort the center piles and count each player’s cards.
Is Nertz the same as Pounce?
Yes. Nertz, Nerts, Pounce and Racing Demon are names for the same game.
