The Objective
I Doubt It (also known as Cheat or BS) is a game of deception where players aim to be the first to get rid of all their cards by playing them in sequence and bluffing when necessary. It's easy to learn and full of energy, centered around bluffing, quick calls, and playful challenges.
What You Need
A standard deck of 52 playing cards
3 to 10 players (best with 4-6 players)
For larger groups, use two decks shuffled together
Setup
Shuffle the deck thoroughly
Deal all cards to players one at a time, clockwise
Some players may have one more card than others – this is fine
Players should look at their cards but keep them hidden from others
How to Play
The Sequence
The game follows a strict sequence: Aces, 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s, 7s, 8s, 9s, 10s, Jacks, Queens, Kings, then back to Aces. Players must play cards (or claim to play cards) in this order.
Taking Turns
The player with the Ace of Spades (or the player to the dealer's left) starts by placing one or more cards face down in the center and announcing "One Ace" (or however many Aces they're playing)
The next player must play 2s, announcing how many they're playing: "Two 2s" or "One 2"
The next player plays 3s, and so on through the ranks
The Bluff
Here's the key: You don't have to tell the truth! If you don't have the card you need to play, you can play any card(s) face down and lie about what they are. But be convincing – other players can challenge you!
Challenging
Any player can shout "I doubt it!" (or "Cheat!" or "BS!") if they think someone is lying
The challenged player must then flip over the cards they just played
If the challenger was right (the cards don't match what was claimed): The player who lied must pick up the entire center pile
If the challenger was wrong (the cards do match): The challenger must pick up the entire center pile
Only one challenge is allowed per turn, and only the most recent play can be challenged
Continuing Play
After a challenge is resolved and someone picks up the pile, play continues with the next rank in sequence from the person to the left of whoever just played.
Winning
The first player to get rid of all their cards wins! You must successfully play your last card(s) without being challenged, or survive any challenge made against your final play.
Strategy Tips
Keep track of which cards have been played
Bluff strategically – don't lie every time
Watch for tells and patterns in other players' behavior
Consider the odds before challenging
Save multiple cards of the same rank to make convincing plays later
Sometimes it's better to let a suspected bluff pass than risk picking up a large pile
Variations
Multiple Cards: Allow players to play 1-4 cards on their turn (claiming they're all the required rank).
Skip Variation: If you have none of the required cards and don't want to bluff, you can pass your turn (but this reveals you don't have those cards).
Team Version: Play in teams where teammates can't challenge each other.
Strict Sequence: The sequence continues exactly where it left off after a pile is picked up.
Flexible Sequence: After someone picks up a pile, the next player can start with any rank they choose.