Fuse and Defuse! Card Game

Objective: Avoid being eliminated by the bomb!

Up to 3-6 players
Standard 52 card deck (Jokers removed)
[Optional: A marker]

Setting up the game:

Determine the Bomb card and Diffuser cards:

• “Bomb” Card: Randomly select ONE of the four Queens to be the “Bomb” card.
  •  [Optional: Draw a bomb on the card as an indication.]
• Diffuser Cards: Randomly select TWO of the four Jacks to be the Diffuser cards. 
  • [Optional: Draw wire cutters on the cards as an indication.]

Shuffle the deck thoroughly and deal 5 cards to each player. Place the remaining deck facing down in the center to form the draw pile.

Playing the Game:

The player to the dealer’s left goes first. Play proceeds clockwise.

On a player’s turn, they draw a card from the pile and then play a card from their hand.

The drawn card is added to the player’s hand without showing it to others.

• Number Cards (2-10): These cards have no special effect, simply place them face up in the discard pile.
• Face Cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings):
  • Jack (Diffuser): If a player has a Jack, they can play it to neutralize the “Bomb" if they draw it or if it is played against them. The “Bomb” card is returned to the bottom of the draw pile, and the Jack used is discarded.
  • Queen (“Bomb”): If a player draws or receives the "Bomb" card and cannot diffuse it with a Jack (Diffuser), they are immediately eliminated from the game. If the player has a Jack in their hand, they can use it to diffuse the “Bomb.” The “Bomb” card is then placed at the bottom of the draw pile.
  • King: The player who plays a King can swap hands/deck with any other player of their choice.
  • Ace: When an Ace is played, the player may choose to look at another player’s hand OR force another player to discard one card of their choice.

After playing a card, if a player has more than 5 cards in their hand, they must discard down to 5 cards.

If a player has no cards left at the end of their turn, they are NOT eliminated from the game but must draw 5 cards to continue playing. (Reshuffle the discard pile if needed.)

Scoring/Winning the Game:

The game continues until only one player remains who has not been eliminated.

The last player standing is declared the winner!

Enjoy the game and may the best strategist win!