The Ghost In My Machine

Stories of the Strange and Unusual

The Most Dangerous Games: The Playing Card Game

by

Previously: The Little Finger Game. 

Although I’m not sure how long this particular Playing Card Game has been around, cartomancy — the practice of using a deck of cards for divination purposes — has existed for centuries. Tarot is probably the most well-known form; however, you don’t necessarily need a tarot deck in order to practice this type of divination. Indeed, it’s believed that cartomancy kicked up shortly after playing cards arrived in Europe, circa the late 14th century — that is, no tarot was required. For this game, you can use a deck of plain old Bicycles (or whatever your standard, 52-card playing card deck of choice is—just make sure it’s got the four suits in it).

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This Playing Card Game is similar to the Ouija; once you’ve summoned your spirit, you can (politely) ask it questions, which it might choose to answer via the deck of cards. Unlike the Ouija, though, this method doesn’t have a way to spell out answers — you’ll have to stick to yes or no questions.

Whatever you ask, though, make sure you really want to know the answers first. Once you’ve learned something, you can’t usually unlearn it.

As always… well, you know how it goes.

Players:

  • At least one principal. Additional players may take part as well. If there are two or more players, designate one player the First Principal.

Requirements:

  • A deck of playing cards. This deck must be a standard, French-suited deck of 52 cards, although a specific brand is not required. Discard the Jokers.
  • Salt.
  • A candle.
  • A lighter or matches.
  • A dark, quiet room.

Instructions:

The Invitation:

  1. Begin at any time.
  2. Go to the dark, quiet room. If it is daytime, draw the curtains. Bring your supplies with you.
  3. If there are two players, sit opposite each other. If there are three or more players, sit in a circle.
  4. Place the candle near you and light it.
  5. Place the deck of cards in front of you. If there are two players, place it between the players. If there are three or more players, place it in the center of the circle.
  6. Sprinkle a small amount of salt on the cards.
  7. Shuffle the deck of cards thoroughly. If there is more than one player, have each player shuffle them: Begin with the First Principal; then pass the deck to the player opposite you (if two players) or around the circle clockwise (if three or more players).
  8. When the cards have returned to the First Principal, deal out the first 18 cards face down in front of you, between the players (if two players), or in the center of the circle (if three or more players). The cards should be arranged in three columns, with each column containing three rows of two cards each. (See Additional Notes for diagram.)
  9. Have the First Principal ask the following question: “Are the spirits willing to speak with us tonight?”
  10. The First Principal should then hold their hand over the dealt-out cards, hovering over each card for a few seconds in turn. When the First Principal feels heat emanating from one card, they should turn that card over.
    • If the card is a Heart: The answer is “Yes.”
    • If the card is a Spade: The answer is “No.”
    • If the card is a Diamond: The answer is “Maybe.”
    • If the card is a Club: The answer is “I don’t know.”
  11. Depending on the answer to this first question, proceed along one of the following paths:
    • If the answer is “Yes”: You may proceed. Remove the card that was just turned over from the playing field and deal another card face down in its place. Continue to The Conversation.
    • If the answer is “No”: Do not proceed. Continue immediately to The Farewell.
    • If the answer is “Maybe”: Proceed with caution. Continue to The Conversation, but be on your guard. If, at any moment, any players begin to feel apprehensive, hear anything unusual, or experience a physical touch of any sort, continue immediately to The Farewell.
    • If the answer is “I don’t know”: Proceed with caution. Continue to The Conversation, but be on your guard. If, at any moment, any players begin to feel apprehensive, hear anything unusual, or experience a physical touch of any sort, continue immediately to The Farewell.
    • If you do not feel any heat emanating from a card: The Invitation has failed. Continue to The Farewell. Try again another time.

The Conversation:

  1. Each player may take turns asking questions, alternating players (if two players) or moving clockwise around the circle (if three or more players). Each player may ask only one question per turn.
  2. After the player asks their question, they should hold their hands over the cards as in The Invitation: Step 10. When the player feels heat emanating from one card, they should turn that card over. The answer may be interpreted according to suit as previously described.
  3. After a question has been answered, the card which answered that question should be removed from the playing field. Deal out another card face down in its place before proceeding to the next question.
    • Note: If a question is asked and the player feels no heat emanating from a card, the spirit has chosen not to answer. Move onto the next player. (In this event, there is no need to remove or replace a card in the playing field before asking the next question.)
  4. Players may proceed in this fashion for as long as they desire.
    • Note: If, at any moment, any players begin to feel apprehensive, hear anything unusual, or experience a physical touch of any sort, continue immediately to The Farewell.

The Farewell:

  1. To end the game, have the First Principal speak the word, “Goodbye.”
  2. Blow out the candle.
  3. Gather up the cards and sprinkle a small amount of salt over them.
  4. Have the First Principal shuffle the cards thoroughly.
  5. Do not use the deck of cards again.

Additional Notes:

You may begin the game at any time; however, nighttime is recommended.

You may use any type of candle, although it is recommended that your choice be in some sort of holder. A pillar candle in a glass jar is recommended, as there is little chance of it falling over.

The cards should be dealt out in the following formation:

If you reach a point where question after question goes unanswered, consider that your cue to end the game. Proceed to The Farewell.

An alternate version of this game may be found here. This version is more elaborate, but may also be slightly safer due to more safeguards being put into place during the set-up.

Concerning the Deck of Cards:

As an extra precaution, considering burning the deck after The Farewell has been completed. This will ensure that it is never used again.

Should the deck be used again, even by accident…

…Well, don’t.

Just don’t.

You don’t want to know what happens if you do.

The Playing Card Game: FAQ.

***

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[Photos via IIIBlackhartIII/Pixabay; Lucia Peters/The Ghost In My Machine]

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Very, very bad things. I played this game and used the cards a few years later by accident. Noises, voices, touches (scratches, pokes, jabs, etc.) unexplainable figures following me around that no one else can see besides the people that played with me, unexplainable deaths between three people that played with me out of the six. Every time I reach out my hand, I feel the same heat I felt when my hand was hovering over the cards. If you decide to play this game, whatever you do, PLAY WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND NEVER EVER PLAY WITH THE CARDS AGAIN!! I have a feeling I’m the next one in my group to die, it’s been counting backward from seven and I was the Third Principal.

      Reply

      • I played the game. 1 year later I played with the cards again and something wasn’t right. the cards are watching us and we can’t figure it out but they are all dead and it’s counting down from 7. I was the first. it’s up to me and my sister. we are trying to stay alive but we know our time is coming.

        Reply

        • I played this game but I didn’t use salt. Does that still mean I can die if I play with the cards again? I am really scared but I don’t know if it worked ??

          Reply

          • I didn’t do the salt thing and I played with the cards over and over and over again… Does that mean I can die?

          • if you havent used salt it means you haven’t ended the game yet so the spirit can’t do anything as he is still bound to the rules of the game. untill you use the salt, you are most likely safe.

      • What about pouring or spitting holy water on the deck? Or burning sage and letting the burning sage contact the deck? Anything evil that the deck is possessed by will no longer be possessed by it, trust me on this.

        Reply

      • I have played this game three times today the first time by myself but ended it when it said no didn’t burn them.played again a couple minutes later with my sister but ended when we put salt on it on the very beginning. about like ten minutes later played again went through with it and ended later on the game and burned them. I continued to play the games without burning them at the end until the very last game. will anything happen?

        Reply

        • If you do not burn the stack of cards you used, the ghost will haunt you anyone else that played the game with you will also see the ghost. Until you burn the cards the ghost will haunt you and your friends. No revenge on you but you will hear strange noises every night at 3am

          Reply

        • I did the same, trying to burn the cards. They didn’t burn so I just thought it was they type of cards… but I tried it with another brand new deck of the same brand and that deck burned fine. I feel that it is the spirit within the cards that are preventing the burning.

          Reply

      • Well I just played the game for the second time with the same deck of card that I used for the first game and nothing happened, not at least till now. I played with it first in the evening time and then again at 03:00 in the night but nothing happened. I wanted to be creeped out so I played the game alone both the time but still nothing, it’s a really boring game.

        Reply

    • I used the cards again after playing this. Well, it didn’t turn out well for the last time, playing it at 3am. We contacted ZoZo. ; ^ ;
      So yeah. Just be careful using the same deck again…

      Reply

    • No at least I don’t think that’s recondmended because the cards still remain “whole” because the cards still have its pieces. It’s recondmened that it’s burns so that the spirit leaves the deck of cards and that the cards are not to be used again. Idk I might be wrong tho

      Reply

    • Actually no you shouldn’t. Even though it is roped up, the cards are yet “whole” and the spirit can still reside in the cards. Burning them however forced the spirit of the cards for there isn’t anything to posses anymore except ashes. Idk I might be wrong though.

      Reply

    • The only way to rid yourself of he spirit is to burn the cards. The salt ensures that the spirit stays within the cards without being able to harm you. Also if you have not used salt you are in danger of being harmed. By playing this game you are opening a portal to the other dimension and if you break the rules you make it possible for the spirit to break the rules. Burning the cards burns the spirit and sends it back to their world. Tearing them does nothing.

      Reply

  5. Is it recommended that i burn the card after the ritual has completed to avoid using the same cards by accident?

    Reply

  6. I’ve been reading your posts for over two years now and I LOVE paranormal things. Most of the games I would never try (even though I am extremely curious!). This one, however, I might actually do with my roommate. I’ll follow up with another comment if I do so you can hear my experience!

    Reply

    • I might do some of the more dangerous more ones later in life, but for now I recommend you do this and the Red Book game, that one is pretty harmless.

      Reply

  7. creepy, how come the first principal is the only one to say “Goodbye”? would the spirit be mad if only one person said it?

    Reply

  9. So, if this game is similar to the Ouija board, are other participants allowed to talk during it, or are you only allowed to speak when you are asking a question? I suppose you would be able to, but just in case ;;

    Reply

    • Since the game doesn’t state on what the jokers’ use will be, it will probably be useless. And might get the spirits confused, making an error with the game. So I don’t think the jokers’ are to cause anything bad, but I still suggest taking them out.

      Reply

    • Why, yes it is. I contacted him while playing this at 3am. I asked if it was human, and it said, “maybe” as in the diamond. Later on when there was 2 cards left and it was my turn, I asked if it’s name started with a “Z” and it said yes, as in “heart”. But I recommend not to. I know this is very later btw. Ty if you read this. :3

      Reply

  13. Me and my friends will decide to risk this just to play this game, but I have some questions–One, can the deck of cards be already used previously or must it be new? And two, at the part of saying–“Are the spirits willing to speak with us tonight?” Must it only be ‘tonight’ even if we play in the day?

    Reply

    • That most likely wouldn’t happen, but if such a sensation were to occur, and it makes any of you [players] feel uncomfortable and nervous :apprehensive:, in any kind of way, you should probably proceed to the Farewell to avoid any potentially… harmful events.

      Reply

    • Yes you can use old cards as long as they are complete. But remember to burn them at the end. You can say “is there anyone that wants to communicate with me/us?” Any sentence like that is fine

      Reply

  15. Ok so I actually tried this game and unfortunately I felt heat for the six of spades when trying to start so I said the farewell. I did this by myself. I have two questions though. Firstly, I forgot to shuffle the cards right after the farewell but I did less then five minutes after turning the light back on, could that be a problem for me? And secondly it says not to use the cards again but if I didn’t feel any heat could I do it again at a later date with the same deck?Because in the instructions it says if you don’t feel heat you can try again later but it doesn’t say if the cards can be reused in this case.

    Reply

  17. Can someone help me IMMEDIATELY my friend and I forgot to shuffle the cards and say goodbye is that bad? Also I felt my arm heating up, my whole arm felt hot and that’s when we went to farewell.

    Reply

  19. Hi. Me and my friends are playing this game. During the game one of my friends pushed all the cards out of the way. We didn’t end the game or anything. So is this bad or not?

    Reply

  20. My friend and I played this game during the daytime, the first time we tried it we did not start it right nor did we feel heat, so we said goodbye and tried again, with the same deck. The second time we felt heat and were getting weird answers to all our questions, and when we went to say farewell, we didn’t shuffle the deck or sprinkle salt on it. It is now 12 hours later and my friend, whose house we did it at, is starting to hear weird noises and doors slamming. What do we do?

    Reply

    • With these kinds of games, you must follow the rules precisely to help ward off undesirable consequences. Plain and simple, you did not follow the rules. It can only get worse from here. I would say I’m sorry, but you brought this on yourself.

      Reply

  21. I have a different version of this game. It involves using 2 jokers. And those cards mean any cards, powerful cards. My version is: Heart means yes and Diamond means no. Nobody teach me this but I learned by just suddenly know how to use.

    Moreover, I’ve been using the same deck with jokers for more than 3years.

    I dont think using 18 cards is safe. 6 multiply by 3 means 18. And it means 666.

    Reply

  23. I’m wanting to play this game to contact my deceased father. I have a jar with some of his ashes inside of it as well as a crucifix. I will also be alone while doing this. Is there any way to play so that I can contact my father? Can I put his ashes next to the deck or opposite me? Also, can I have the crucifix in my pocket/hand while I’m playing this?

    Reply

  24. I would suggest not to. Get Microsoft Solitaire Collection if you have a Windows 10 operating system. It’s a much safer way of solitaire if you already used the deck.

    Reply

  25. Can I use a deck of cards that are not new? I just got a deck of cards that used to be my dad’s and he passed away 5 years ago and I was thinking about using those cards.

    Reply

  26. So, my friend and I played the game with one standard deck. We spoke with an ‘evil’ spirit, after awhile of me now being able to feel any heat or energy we asked if we could talk to it later. It agreed for us to use the same deck. So later, after icing my fingers so I could feel heat, we used a different deck after noticing that it was a bad entity. The flame on the lighter basically attacked her thumb, despite there being no draft in the room. After starting the game again with the new deck, the flame started spazzing out before we did the invitation ritual. The card said ‘no’ so we instantly went to farewell, quietly chanting bible verses. Shortly after we ended the game and had our bibles, we heard the mocking of the holy trinity, three knocks on the wall. Early we asked for two light knocks but instead it flickered the light. We nearly used the first deck again, thinking that it’s approval would make it safe. Besides the three knocks of death/the mocking of the trinity we heard joyful whistling. Someone close to us may die soon..

    Reply

    • Burn those cards bro. I played this and came across ZoZo. I played it 3x at first with the same deck. But when it turned 3am me and my cousin played. We kept hearing noises and all the cards were cold. We kept hovering our hands over the cards repeatedly until we felt heat. When there was 2 cards left, it was my turn so I asked if it’s name started with a “Z”. It replied, yes, or known as “heart” in this game. It was proven demon knowing it’s name started with a Z. Anyways. Just burn them. Or throw them away and pray every night that you have seen your mistake and want the evil spirits and entities gone, amen. :3 ty if you read this coz this is very late. UwU

      Reply

  27. I went to my friends house for a birthday party and we ended up playing this game. We had 5 of us playing and we went around and did everything you are told to do but use the cards over we played multiple games with the same cards and nothing happened to us we had fun playing the game and we played the Ouija board too and nothing happened except for right before we played it me and my friends were walking back to the sleepover birthday party from the park and two cars were following us and there was police and armour involved the game was so FUN

    Reply

  29. I used to play this but in the end I would play it as when you want to end you have to ask permission and if the entity says anything other than yes you’d have to try again until it says yes.

    Reply

  30. my sister her friend and her friend’s brother played this game. My sister is scared to death. her friend’s brother randomly got something a couple days ago the morning after they played. they say if you did it wrong something will happen. i’m scared for my sister’s life and her friend and brother. The doctor said he had only gotten better a little bit. He was supposed to get out of the hospital today, but that’s not happening. I’m just telling you if you play this game, do it with caution. you don’t want to end up dying over this game. imagine what hell your family would go through losing you.

    just be careful…

    Reply

  31. I played this game a couple minutes ago, my friend and I broke the first rule, I was the first principal and when I asked the first the answer was a club, so I asked again, it was a spade. My friend decided to try and we got a spade again. We decided to stop. Legit after we blew the candle, the wax shoot up and landed all over me. Burning my arm and hand, not only that but her cats were going crazy until we turned on the light.
    We made a video and will post it on Laughing Stock gaming if you’re interested in watching us fuck everything up.

    Reply

  32. Say I did it once and I decide to do it again with more people and in a different location. Could I reuse those cards from the last time? Or do I just need to leave the card in a storage unit where no one will find it? haha I’m kidding about the storage unit part but seriously. Can I just use the cards for when I play again?

    I LOVE your work Lucia (I spelled it wrong probably sorry!)

    Reply

  34. Okay, so me and my girlfriend did this challenge thing. It didn’t work at all, and I generally don’t believe in this sorta stuff. But, a month after we used the same cards because I wanted to show her some awesome card tricks. I know it said not to use again, but hey, I didn’t believe in this stuff so I didn’t care. Now, the deck has completely vanished. It’s been gone for 3months. We’ve turned the whole house upside down, inside out and so on. They’re completely gone. Anyone experienced something similar?

    Reply

  35. I am going to play this tomorrow I am super scared but after watching Sam golbach play this it was a little more reassuring I hope nothing happens to me 😐

    Reply

  37. Okay, so I did this 4 times with the same deck. I did it with my cousin. the first time was in the morning. the 3rd and 4th time was at night. The 4th time was at 3am. We played and kept getting strange answers as, “diamond”, or maybe, and, “club”, as in i don’t know. I asked if it was human and it said, “diamond”, as in maybe. We barely got any “hearts” or yes. When there was 2 cards left and it was my turn, I asked if it’s name started with a “Z”. It replied, “heart”, or yes.

    …

    My heart started beating so fast. My cousin told me to end the game since I was the 1st principal. I said, “goodbye”, immediantly. Gathered the cards and threw salt on them. I was shaking terribly. Afterwards we couldn’t figure a way to burn them. We thought we were done for. Knowing the ZoZo came into our session. Knowing it’s name started with a “Z” is proven that it is a demon. My friend told me another way. It’s easier than burning a fucking stack of cards. So I tried microwaving them and got terrified I was going to burn the house down, knowing everyone was asleep except me, my cousin, and my cousin’s little sister[my lil cousin]. So I ripped them up. And when my friend told me that other way, I threw them away. Anyways. I hope you enjoyed reading this shitty post. This is real, just stating that as a fact. But, I recommend not to play this at 3am knowing that ZoZo came. The first 3x were actually very fun. We didn’t use a candle, but a flashlight. We played this is a kitchen, which the kitchen is the main room of the house, it’s shared with the living room. Them there is the hallway. So I believe you don’t have to be in a room to play this. “) If you play this, I hope you have fun, and not contacting that demon, ZoZo. Bai! ^w^

    Reply

  38. okay so i didn’t have any candles, or salt, the light was on and everything. Does that mean the ritual still worked cause all i had was cards

    Reply

  39. If you blow out the candle but keep the cards and everything the same then relight the candle you will get a different spirit. Warning this may anger them though.

    Reply

  40. Hello, I am going to play this game tonight by myself, but I have a question: all in my family lives there, my little brother sleeps next door from my room where it might happen, can it affect him or my mom and dad while they sleep?

    Reply

  42. Ok so my friends and I were playing this in P.E. we have been playing this for the past few day. We have not burned the deck, we played in a loud gym, we did not have salt or no light, and we had to leave before we could say goodbye. We did not play be the rule that says we have to have a first principle either. Did we technically complete the ritual or did we just ask random questions and flip cards over? Please I need answers, I had not experienced any paranormal events, but I am still worried.

    Reply

  44. I need help. Right now. Me and my friends played this. We went in groups of two. First ritual with a deck of cards. Two of my friends played in it. I don’t know if we played the game right. But then me and my other friend played WITH THE SAME CARDS. And I don’t know if we played the game right either. But I’ve been reading some comments and I am so scared that we will die….please. help me! I am way too young to die 😭

    Reply

    • Gurl you are not gonna die but you will have freaky coincidences and nothing harmful but you will be freaked out and its gonna happen periodically for the rest of your life but i know if you keep yourself busy and dont pay attention to the little stuff in life and defitnetly stop calling it a game and dont communicate with spirits , in due time it will leave your memory and you should be a-okay! Thats if you dont want the wierd ass coincidences to go on for the rest of your life! well good luck!

      Reply

  46. I played this game by myself one afternoon but I don’t think I ended it completely correctly. I’ve used the cards again but not for the same game. I don’t know if this is related to the game but I’ve started getting random bruises all over me. I’d definitely recommend playing VERY carefully.

    Reply

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