Kemps Card Game: Bringing Fun Back to Game Night
Get ready for a night of laughter and secret signals with Kemps! This ridiculously fun card game is perfect for family game night.
Team up with a partner to collect four of a kind, then try to signal them without getting caught – good luck with that!
Kemps is basically a wacky mix of poker and charades that’ll have everyone cracking up. No poker face? No problem! (Well, maybe a tiny problem.)
Mainly, Kemps is all about having fun and creating hilarious memories together. So gather the family, deal the cards, and let the good times roll – just don’t blame us if Grandma turns out to be a secret Kemps mastermind!
Let’s dive in!
The Rules for the Kemps Card Game: AKA How Not to Look Like a Total Noob
First things first, you’ll need 4 to 8 players divided into teams of two. If you’ve got more than 6 players, throw in another deck because things are about to get real.
The goal? Be the first team to score a four of a kind and signal your partner without getting caught. Easy peasy, right? Wrong. Here’s how to set up this beautiful disaster:
- Sit across from your partner (no footsie allowed, folks)
- Deal 4 cards to each player
- Place 4 cards face-up in the center
- Stash the rest of the deck nearby
The Snack Attack Strategy: Incorporate your signaling into snack time. Maybe “scratching your nose” is really just you wiping away Cheeto dust. Delicious deception!
Gameplay: Where Friendships Go to Die
Now, this is where the real chaos begins. When the dealer screams “Go!” (or whatever battle cry floats your boat), it’s time to unleash your inner card-swapping demon.
Here’s the deal, I’ll break down Kemps for you:
- Buddy up in teams of two. Choose wisely. Partners aren’t allowed to sit next to each other.
- Everyone gets four cards. (No one ever has more than 4 cards) Don’t peek at your partner’s.
- Toss four cards face-up in the middle. It’s go time.
- Swap like crazy to get four-of-a-kind. Speed is key, folks. Players don’t take turns. You just swap out cards for the ones you need to try and get four of a kind – as quickly as you can. This game is gonna go fast.
- When no more cards can be swapped by the players, the dealer removes the cards, puts them in the bottom of the draw pile, and puts four new cards from the draw pile in the middle. On “Go”, start swapping again – to try to get that four of kind.
- Got your four? Once you’ve got your four of a kind, it’s showtime. Flash that signal to your partner like you’re a malfunctioning traffic light. Try not to look like you’re having a seizure.
- Partner spots it? They yell “Kemps!” You win that round and score 1 point! (High fives all around) If your partner is wrong, you lose a point.
- But watch out! Opponents can shout “Block” if they catch you. Busted! And you lose a point. If the other team is wrong about your signaling your partner, the other team loses a point.
- Agree on a secret signal beforehand. No, aggressive winking doesn’t count.
- Play till someone hits the winning score. Bragging rights included.
Remember, subtlety is your friend here. Unless you’re terrible at it, then maybe just enjoy the laughs. Now go forth and Kemp your hearts out!
Now, about that secret signal. This is where you get to channel your inner spy. Maybe you’ll scratch your nose, adjust your glasses, or do that weird thing with your eyebrows.
Just remember, subtlety is key. You don’t want to look like you’re auditioning for a mime troupe.
Here’s a link to a video about how to play Kemps, if you need a tad bit more clarification.
Mix it up, folks. If you use the same signal every round, you might as well wear a neon sign saying “I’VE GOT FOUR OF A KIND, SUCKERS!” Trust me, I learned this the hard way after a particularly embarrassing game night involving a bag of Doritos and an overly enthusiastic eyebrow wiggle.
Scoring in Kemps: Where Math Meets Mayhem
Time to flex those addition and subtraction skills you’ve been honing since second grade.
Scoring in Kemps is easier than explaining to your cat why it can’t have a fifth dinner.
Here’s the breakdown that even your goldfish could understand:
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Successful “Kemps!” | +1 |
| False “Kemps!” | -1 |
| Successful “Block!” | +1 |
| False “Block!” | -1 |
It’s like golf, but with more yelling and less plaid.
The first team to hit the agreed-upon winning score (usually 5 points, but hey, live dangerously if you want) gets to do their victory dance. Or cry. Or both. We don’t judge here.
Remember, a false “Kemps!” or “Block!” will cost you a point. So unless you’re 100% sure your partner has four of a kind (or that your opponents are cheating cheaters who cheat), don’t say a word.
Nothing’s more embarrassing than losing a point because you got trigger-happy with your “Kemps!” calls.
And there you have it, folks. Kemps: the game that’ll test your poker face, your ability to communicate telepathically, and quite possibly, your friendships.
May the cards be ever in your favor… unless you’re playing against me. Then all bets are off.
Ever had a game night where the only thing organized was the chaos? Same.
This Facebook group is like that one drawer full of random stuff in your kitchen; it’s a bit of everything and somehow EXACTLY what you need. Dive into the treasure trove of laughs, printable games and tips for moms who wish “winging it with style” was a recognized party planning strategy.
You Made It This Far? Congrats!
Alright, champ, you’ve survived the crash course in Kemps. Let’s recap, shall we?
- Get four of a kind
- Signal your partner without being obvious
- Yell “Kemps!” before the other team catches on
- Try not to lose friends in the process
Remember, the key to Kemps is subtlety. Which, if you’re anything like me, means you might be in trouble.
But hey, that’s half the fun, right?
Want a Few More Easy, Fun Card Games to Fall in Love With?
Give one (or two) of these awesome card games a try:
| Game | Blurb |
|---|---|
| Crazy Eights | Think you’re crazy enough for this one? Crazy Eights is like UNO’s weird cousin who forgot to trademark their idea. Match suits or numbers, and watch your friends squirm as you unleash those devious 8s. Pro tip: If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying hard enough! |
| Spit | Got the reflexes of a caffeinated cat? You’ll need ’em for Spit! This rapid-fire card game is all about speed, skill, and screaming “Spit!” louder than your opponent. Perfect for those who think patience is overrated and bruised hands are a badge of honor. |
| I Doubt It | Calling all fibbers, fakers, and fantastic liars! I Doubt It is your time to shine. Bluff your way through discarding cards while trying not to get caught in a lie. It’s like poker, but with more dramatic gasps and finger-pointing. May the best (or worst) liar win! |
Your Turn
So, if you’re playing Kemps, who would you like your partner to be? And why???? Feel free to expand your list into fictional and famous people. Let me know in the comments below.