CardsAnywhere

CardsAnywhere Info

This page explains the shared table model, host tools, and the main rules toggles that change play behavior.

Table of contents

Default Setup

What a brand new session does before the host changes anything.

A new table starts with a standard 52-card deck, shuffled, one host, and open claiming of the winning pile at round end.

Turn order is on by default, so only the current player can take turn-based actions.
Cards played to the table are shown face up by default.
The host can shuffle, deal, move the table pile, force draws, change stage, and change mode.
Winning pile claims are open to any player after every seated player has played in the round.

How To Play

Core session flow from create to active play.

The host creates a session and shares the code or QR join link.
Players join, then the host shuffles and deals cards.
Players use their private hand to select cards and play to the table.
At round end, the winning pile can be claimed or delegated by the host, depending on the claim rule.
The host can move cards, force draws, rotate the dealer, and adjust table rules as needed for the game being played.

Host Abilities And Rules

What the host can control and what each rule changes.

The host controls session rules, arbitration, and card movement when a game needs manual direction.

Set stage: manually moves the table between setup, deal, declare, play, score, and reset when a structured game needs an override.
Set mode: changes how strongly the backend assists or enforces a rules profile.
Turn order: when enabled, turn-based actions are restricted to the current player.
Winning pile claims: choose whether any player can claim at round end or only the host can delegate it.
Zone visibility: defines whether a zone is shown face up, face down, or privately to a player.
Force actions: target a player to draw, receive the table pile, receive the deck, or become the current player.

How To Allow Multiple Cards In One Turn

The short answer to the rules question that is easy to miss in the main UI.

If you want players to play multiple cards freely, the host should disable strict turn flow and use the lighter table controls.

Open Host Controls.
Use the turn order control to disable turn-order enforcement for free play.
If you still want the backend to surface recommendations without hard blocking actions, use Set mode: assist.
If you want the backend to block out-of-policy moves, use Set mode: enforce.

Practical rule of thumb: for games like Bullshit or custom house rules, disable turn-order enforcement. For trick-taking games, keep it enabled.

Zones And What They Mean

Player-facing names for the different card areas.

Deck: the stock pile players draw from.
Discard: cards that have been discarded out of active play.
Cards on Table: the current played pile. The newest card is the top of pile.
Private Hand: cards only visible to the current player.
Winning Hands: grouped piles that a player has captured from completed rounds or tricks.
Cards Played: the user-facing name for the internal `table.played` zone.
Show Face Up: everyone can see the card faces.
Show Face Down: everyone knows cards exist in the zone, but not which cards they are.

Example Game Setups

Two concrete examples for using the table with different rules.

Go Fish

Bullshit / Cheat

Disable strict turn-order enforcement if you want freer handling.
Keep the host in control of disputed pile movement.
Use the host controls to send the whole table pile to a player after a failed bluff.
Use face-down visibility when you want hidden played cards.