Irish Snap Rules

How to Play Irish Snap (aka Chaos in a Deck)

Irish Snap is a fast-paced slap card game where reaction time beats strategy – and mistakes cost you drinks.

It’s part snap, part bluff, and pure party chaos, making it perfect for pubs, house parties, or late-night drinking sessions.

What You Need

• Players: 3+
• Equipment:
  • 1 full deck of cards
  • Drinks for everyone
  • A stable table that can handle plenty of slaps

Setup

1. Shuffle the deck.
2. Deal all cards evenly, face-down, to players.
3. Players hold their stack without looking at the cards.

The Basics

• Players take turns flipping one card at a time into the center pile.
• While playing, they say the next number in sequence, starting from Ace → King → back to Ace.
• The number called doesn’t have to match the card – unless it does…

When to Snap

If the card matches the number said (example: you say “7” and flip a 7):

• Everyone slaps the pile.
• The last to slap drinks (or takes the pile, depending on house rules).
• The pile is cleared.

Bonus Snap Rules (Optional)

Want extra chaos? Try these variations:

• Doubles → Two of the same card in a row = snap.
• Sandwich → Matching cards with one in between (e.g., 5–9–5).
• Silent 8s → After an 8, next round is silent. Speak? Drink.
• Reverse (10s) → Reverse play order.
• Slap on Jack → Any Jack = instant slap.

What Happens If You Mess Up?

• Snap at the wrong time → drink.
• Forget the count → drink.
• Hesitate too long → drink.
• Flip your card wrong → also drink.

Winning Irish Snap

This is more about survival than victory.

Play until:

• One player runs out of cards (they win), or
• Everyone else is too drunk to keep up.

Overview of the Rules

• Flip cards in turn, calling out numbers in sequence
• Match between number called and card played = snap
• Last to slap drinks
• Wrong snap = drink
• Optional chaos rules (doubles, sandwiches, silent 8s, etc.)