Solitaire
About Spite and Malice
Spite and Malice is a turn-based card game about timing, blocking and clearing your pay-off pile before your rival. Suit does not matter in the center; rank and opportunity do.
Play online with a friend, meet an opponent, or challenge the computer. The table enforces legal moves and handles completed center piles automatically.
How to play Spite and Malice
- Each player receives a 20-card pay-off pile, a hand and four personal discard piles.
- Build three shared center piles from Ace through Queen without regard to suit.
- Kings are wild and may represent the next rank needed on a center pile.
- Play from your pay-off pile, hand or the top of a discard pile. Emptying your hand refills it.
- Discard one hand card onto a personal discard pile to end your turn. Clear the pay-off pile first to win.
Tips for a better game
- Prioritize the exposed card on your pay-off pile whenever it can be played.
- Arrange discard piles so useful sequences remain accessible rather than burying key ranks.
- Save a wild King when an ordinary card can keep the same center pile moving.
Frequently asked questions
Is Spite and Malice the same as Skip-Bo?
They are closely related building games, but this table uses traditional Spite and Malice rules and ordinary playing cards.
Do suits matter in Spite and Malice?
No. Shared building piles follow rank only, beginning with Ace and ending with Queen.
What do Kings do?
Kings are wild. They can stand for whichever rank is next on a shared center pile.
Can I play alone?
You can play against the computer, or choose online matchmaking or a private table for another person.