Joker Palace Rules (Official Guide)
Master the official Joker Palace rule set, inspired by Palace/Shithead with unique special cards, the Joker card, and Chaos Joker Effects
The Goal
Be the first to get rid of all your cards.
You normally start with nine cards in three layers—Blitz Palace starts with ten—and you have to clear them in order. The match ends when the first player clears their final card; everyone else is ranked by the point value of the cards they have left.
Joker Palace is an online game inspired by the one known as Palace, Shithead, Castle, Karma and Shed. These are the official app rules — looking for the traditional game instead? Read our sourced Shithead and Palace rules guide.
Setup
2 to 5 players. Classic uses a 54-card deck and deals 9 cards in three layers; Blitz deals one extra hand card.
- Hand cards
- 3 (4 in Blitz)
- Table cards, face up
- 3
- Palace cards, face down
- 3
- Draw pile
- the rest
Before the first card, a swap phase lets you trade between your hand and your face-up table cards. Put your strongest cards face up.
Pure Palace removes both Jokers for a 52-card deck. Chaos Palace adds two extra Jokers for a 56-card deck.
How a Turn Works
Four beats decide every turn. Everything after this is an exception to them.
- 1
Play equal or higher
Beat the top card of the pile with one of equal or higher rank.
- 2
Refill your hand
While the draw pile lasts, refill to three cards—or four in Blitz Palace—at the end of your turn.
- 3
If you cannot play, take the pile
The whole pile goes into your hand and your turn ends.
- 4
Beat the clock
15 seconds in matchmade modes and 30 seconds in friend lobbies. Time out and you take the pile.
You play again if you drop a 10 or four of a kind (both destroy the pile), play a 05, or keep laying cards of the same rank.
Hand → Table → Palace
You cannot skip a layer, and you cannot start the next until the current one is gone.
Layer 1
Your hand
You play from your hand for as long as you hold cards, so it outlives the draw pile.
Layer 2
Your table cards
Once your hand and the draw pile are both empty, your three face-up cards come into play.
Layer 3
Your palace cards
Three face-down cards you have never seen. You pick one blind, one per turn.
Palace cards are not pre-validated. Flip one you cannot legally play and you take the pile and drop back to Layer 1. Clear all three and you win.
Special Cards
Five ranks ignore the equal-or-higher rule.
02 • Reset
03 • Override
05 • Extra Turn
09 • Reverse Rank
10 • Destroy
The Joker & Chaos Effects
The most valuable card in the game, and playing it hands you a decision that binds the whole table.
- Beats everything: it plays on any card, including an 03.
- Everything beats it: the next player may follow it with anything.
- Never picked up: take a pile and any Jokers in it are discarded.
- Always legal: it stays playable under every Chaos effect.
You choose the chaos. Play a Joker and three eligible effects are offered to you. Pick one within 5 seconds — or one of the three is picked for you. Lasting effects restrict every player for two full rounds; instant effects resolve once immediately.
Joker Palace FAQ
Common questions about Joker Palace rules and gameplay
How many cards do you get in Joker Palace?
In Classic, Pure Palace, and Chaos Palace, each player gets 9 cards total: 3 palace cards (face down), 3 table cards (face up), and 3 in hand. Blitz Palace starts with 4 hand cards for 10 total. You refill to the mode's starting hand size while the draw pile exists.
What happens if you can't play a card?
If you cannot play a valid card or your turn timer runs out, you must pick up the entire pile and add it to your hand.
What does the 03 (Override) card do?
The 03 is the most powerful card. Only another 03 or a Joker can be played on top of it. If the next player has neither, they must take the entire pile.
What does the 09 (Reverse Rank) card do?
When 09 is played, it flips the rule so the next card played must be 09 or lower. This creates strategic opportunities to play low cards.
What are Chaos Joker Effects?
There are six live Chaos Joker Effects. Low Only, High Only and No Specials restrict every player for two rounds. Rewind reverses turn order, Dump makes the next player take the pile, and Purge removes one random non-Joker special card from each eligible hand; these three effects resolve instantly. Playing a Joker offers three eligible effects, and you have 5 seconds to pick one — on timeout one of those three is chosen for you. Jokers remain playable during lasting effects.
How long do you have to take a turn?
You have 15 seconds in matchmade modes and 30 seconds in friend lobbies. If time runs out, you automatically take the pile.
What does the Joker card do in Joker Palace?
The Joker is the most valuable card in Joker Palace. It can be played on top of any card, and any card can be played on top of a Joker. Jokers can also be played during any Chaos Joker Effects. When you pick up a pile, Jokers are automatically discarded instead of added to your hand.
Ready to Master Joker Palace?
Now that you know the official Joker Palace rules, put your skills to the test! Challenge players worldwide and climb the leaderboards in this strategic card battler.