How to Play the Garbage Card Game (aka Trash) | Tutorial & Rules
What is the Garbage game?
The Garbage Card Game, also known as the Trash Card Game, is a simple and fun sequencing game where players attempt to organize randomly dealt cards from a standard deck of cards into 10 designated spots, from 1 (Ace) to 10.
Objective
The objective of the garbage game is to be the first player to win 10 rounds. The objective of each round is to organize your cards into sequential order before your opponent.
Number of Players
The garbage card game is best played with 2 players. For 3+ players, see the variations below.
Skills
- Number recognition
- Number ordering
Age
Garbage is fun for any age as long as the player has a basic understanding of number recognition and order. In fact, it’s an especially great teaching tool for Kindergarten and 1st graders to reinforce basic number identification and sequencing.
Why we like it
Garbage is a fun, simple, and fast paced game that also teaches number recognition and sequencing. It’s also based on a “10 frame,” which is a common math framework for early number recognition, addition, and subtraction. This game lays the foundation for the 10 frame system.
How to Play the Garbage Card Game in 8 Steps
1: Set up the game with 10 cards face down for each player and the rest in a stockpile
Each player is dealt 10 cards face down and does not look at their cards. They then assemble the 10 cards into 2 rows of 5 cards.
Each of the 10 spots is designated a number 1-10 from left to right starting in the upper row. Note: while not important for game play, this builds the foundation of the 10-frame framework.
The remaining cards for the “stock” or “draw pile.”
2: Determine who goes first using any method
Generally, the person who is not the dealer (or the person left of the dealer in a 3+ person game) goes first. When you’re playing the first game, you can use any method to determine who goes first, such as rock-paper-scissors, highest card drawn, etc. The player who wins can choose their position (going first, dealer, etc).
3: Play the first turn of the first round by flipping a card from the stockpile and playing it
Begin the first turn by drawing a card from the deck and playing it
The first player begins their turn by flipping over the top card on the draw pile.
Play all playable cards
If that card is playable (Ace through 10) on an open slot (1-10) they play the card in the corresponding spot and flip over the card that was in that slot.
If that card is also playable in an open slot, they play, flip, and repeat.
Discard an unplayable card into the “garbage” (discard pile) and your turn ends
If an unplayable card is revealed, either by flipping the top stockpile card from during a turn or flipping over a played card, the player discards it in the discard pile and their turn is over.
Unplayable cards include:
- Face cards: Jack, Queen, and King (except under wild card rules)
- Any card Ace – 10 that matches a corresponding slot that has already been played.
4: Alternate turns with the other player
During the second, and subsequent turn of any round, players may choose to play a card from the discard pile, or draw and play the top card from the stockpile. The turn is played the same as described above with players playing all playable cards, and their turn ending when they have and discard an unplayable card.
5: Continue alternating turns until one player wins the round by sequencing 1-10 in designated spots
The round ends when one player has ordered their cards Ace through 10 in their corresponding 1-10 slots and that player wins that round.
6: Start the next round with winner reducing spots by one
The next round is played in the same way, except that the winner of the previous round removes their highest slot. For example, to begin the second round, the winner will only have 9 slots (1-9), while the other player will still have all 10 slots (1-10).
7: Continue playing more rounds, reducing the number of slots for the winner
After every round, the winner will continue to remove their highest spot.
8: Game ends when player is down to 1 spot and gets the Ace (1)
The game ends when a player who is down to there last spot (the 1 slot) plays an ace.
Garbage Rules
- During each turn, players may play any playable cards from the stockpile or discard pile onto any of their open corresponding number slots. For example, the 3 card may be played
- Players may not play a slot that already has been played (except a wild card under wild card rules)
- After a card is played in a slot, the face down card is flipped over and is either played on that players open slots, or, if none are available, is discarded
- Playable cards include: Ace (for 1), and 2-10. (and the wild card under wild card rules)
- Unplayable cards include all face cards: Jack, Queen, and King, although many people play wildcard rules where the Jack, King, or Joker is wild. See wild card rules below.
- The winner of each round removes their highest playable slot in the subsequent round
- If the stockpile runs out, leave the top card face up, but shuffle the remaining cards and reform the stockpile
Garbage Game FAQs
What is the card game garbage also called?
The garbage game is also often called the “trash” game.
Why is the garbage game called “garbage?”
The garbage game is fast moving with lots of cards being unplayable and ending up in the discard, or “garbage” pile.
How do you play the garbage card game solo (aka 1-player Garbage)
You can play garbage as a 1-player game card game to practice. We recommend playing it similar to solitaire. Flip over 3 cards at a time, and only play the top card, but keep the other cards visible. Other than that, follow the same rules as above
How many decks do you need for the garbage card game?
A standard 2-person game of garbage only requires a single standard card deck. You should move up to a second deck when you have 4-6 players.
