Setup. 3–7 players use one 52-card deck; 8–12 combine two decks. Host picks capacity and shares the 4-letter room code (or speakable phrase).
Rank. Standard high-low: 2 is the lowest card, then 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, and Ace is the highest. Suits don't matter at all.
Round 1 opening. Whoever was dealt the 3♣ leads first. They must play a single, pair, triple, or four-of-a-kind.
Following. Each next player must play the same number of cards and a strictly higher rank, or PASS. If everyone else passes, the last player to play takes the trick and leads a new one with any combo.
Finishing. Run out of cards first → you're President next round. Second out → VP. Last left holding cards → Scum. Middle players are Citizens.
Tax swap. Before each next round: Scum sends their 2 highest cards to President; President picks any 2 to send back. In 4+-player games, VP and Vice-Scum swap 1 card each way.
Round 2+ opening. Last round's President always leads the new round — the 3♣ rule only applies to round 1.
The host closed the lobby. Return to role-select to start or join another room.
The host removed you from the lobby. Return to role-select to host or join another room.
Everyone else left the room. A President round needs at least 3 players.