The Special Cards in the Sly3 Card Game: 7, 9, Wild Paw and Swipe
The Sly3 card game has four special cards: the 7, the 9, the Wild Paw and the Swipe. Every other card in the 72-card deck plays by one rule, equal or higher than the top of the pile. These four bend that rule, and timing them is most of the skill in the game. Here's what each one does, when to play it, and the mistake everyone makes with it exactly once.
The 7: Play Low
What it does. The next player has to play a 7 or lower. The 7 still has to beat the top card to be played at all, so you can't drop it on a 10.
When to play it. When the player to your left is sitting on high cards and nothing else. A 7 turns their strong hand into a pile they have to pick up.
The mistake. Playing it early, when everyone still has low cards to answer with. A 7 in the first minute is a 7 wasted.
The 9: Skip
What it does. Skips the next player. The player after them still has to beat a 9.
When to play it. When the player to your left is one card from going out, or when you want to hand the turn to someone who's stuck. Four or more 9s played together stop skipping and act as a Swipe instead.
The mistake. Forgetting that the 9 has to beat the top card too. It's a special card, not a wild one.
The Wild Paw: Play Anytime
What it does. Plays on anything, any time it's your turn. After it lands, the next player can play anything too.
When to play it. When you can't beat the pile and you're about to pick it up. It's your escape hatch.
The mistake. Spending it when you didn't need to. A Wild Paw played on a 4 is a Wild Paw you don't have when the pile is a 12 and you're holding nothing.
The Swipe: Clear the Pile
What it does. Removes the Play Pile from the game entirely, and you go again. Because there's nothing left on top to match, the Chaos Rule can't touch a Swipe.
When to play it. When the pile is huge and you're about to inherit it, or right before you flip your first face-down card, so it lands on an empty pile and can't fail.
The mistake. Holding it too long. A Swipe in your face-down cards is a Swipe you can't choose when to use.
Four of a Kind Counts Too
Any time four or more cards of the same value are played in a row, across turns, they act as a Swipe. The pile clears and the last player to contribute goes again. Big tables hit this constantly.
Turning the Specials Up or Down
Increased Challenge removes Swipes from the deck two at a time, which makes every pile heavier and every Wild Paw more precious. Relaxed mode doesn't change the special cards at all; it only turns off out-of-turn play.
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72-card deck · 2–6 players (7–12 with two decks) · ages 7+ · $25
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