Switch is the name most commonly used in the UK for a shedding card game where you try to get rid of all your cards first. While similar to the American game Crazy Eights, the UK version has several important differences - particularly the role of the Jack cards, the stacking rules, and the Last Card declaration.

This guide covers the rules as played across the UK, with a specific focus on the London variant (also called Blackjack or Two-Ball) which is what we use at LDN Blackjack.

Basic Setup

Switch is played with a full 52-card deck plus two Jokers. Deal 7 cards to each player. Place the remaining cards face-down as the draw pile. Turn the top card face-up to start the discard pile. If the first card is a power card, place it back and flip another.

The Core Rule

On your turn, play a card that matches the top card of the discard pile by either suit or rank. If you cannot play, draw one card from the draw pile. You may then play the drawn card if it is valid, or your turn ends.

UK Switch Power Cards

The 2 - Pick Up Two

Playing a 2 forces the next player to pick up 2 cards from the draw pile. They cannot play normally on their turn - they must pick up unless they can counter.

Counters: The player can play another 2 to pass the penalty on (adding 2 more), or a Black Jack (adding 5 more), or a Joker. Red Jacks do not cancel 2s in most UK house rules.

Stack example: Player A plays a 2. Player B plays another 2. Player C plays a Black Jack. Player D now faces a pick up of 9 (2+2+5) unless they can counter.

The Black Jack - Jack of Clubs or Spades

The most feared card in the game. Playing the Jack of Clubs or Jack of Spades forces the next player to pick up 5 cards.

Counters: The player can play another Black Jack (+5 more), a 2 (+2 more), a Red Jack (cancels entire stack), or a Joker.

Important: Unlike American Crazy Eights where Jacks often have no special effect, in UK Switch the black Jacks are the most powerful cards in the deck.

The Red Jack - Jack of Hearts or Diamonds

The Red Jack cancels any pickup stack. If you face a pickup of 5, 7, or even 12 cards, playing a Red Jack ends the stack and the next player continues normally with no penalty. The Red Jack cannot be used to start a pickup - it is purely defensive.

The 8 - Skip

Playing an 8 skips the next player's turn. Multiple 8s can be played together to skip multiple players. In a 2-player game, playing an 8 means you get another turn.

The King - Reverse

Playing a King reverses the direction of play (from clockwise to counterclockwise or vice versa). In a 2-player game, a King means you play again. Important: Kings cannot counter pickup penalties in UK rules.

The Ace - Change Suit

The Ace is the wild suit-change card in UK Switch (unlike American Crazy Eights where the 8 fills this role). You can play an Ace on any card. When you do, declare the new suit the next player must follow. You can declare the same suit if you wish.

The Queen - Must Cover

The Queen has a strict rule: you cannot finish the game by playing a Queen as your final card, and you cannot play a Queen and leave it uncovered. When you play a Queen, you must immediately play another valid card on top of it in the same turn. This second card can itself be a power card.

The Joker - Ultimate Wild

The Joker is the most flexible card in the game. It can be played on any card regardless of suit or rank. When played, you declare what card it becomes (both rank and suit). Use cases:

• Declare it as a Red Jack to cancel an incoming pickup stack
• Declare it as a Black Jack to add 5 to a stack
• Declare it as a 2 to add to a pickup stack
• Declare it as any card to set up your next play

Runs and Multiple Cards

You may play multiple cards on a single turn if they form a valid combination:

Same rank: Play all your 7s in one go, for example.

Suited sequence: Play 4, 5, 6 of Hearts as one move.

Mixed pickup stack: Play a Black Jack and a 2 together (7 cards pickup for the next player), or two 2s together (4 card pickup).

Last Card Rule

When you play down to one card in your hand, you must declare "Last Card" before or when playing your second-to-last card. Failing to declare and then winning results in a penalty card (you must draw one card and continue playing).

The declaration lasts 2 turns. If you draw a card and end up with 2 cards again, your Last Card declaration expires - you must declare again when you next reach one card.

Finishing the Game

The first player to legally empty their hand wins. You cannot finish on a Queen (must cover it) or on a King in a 2-player game.

Regional Variations

Across different parts of the UK, you will find slight variations: some areas allow Kings to counter pickups, some do not use Jokers, and some have different rules about whether 2s can counter Black Jacks. The rules above reflect the most common London version.

Play Switch Online with London Rules

LDN Blackjack enforces these rules automatically in real-time multiplayer. No arguments about house rules - the game handles all the logic. Free to play, no download needed.