We’ve heard this game called Trash or Garbage. The goal is to line up your cards in number order, so it’s perfect for practicing number recognition.

Trash (Garbage)

Number of people: 2~3 ｜ hours: about 30 minutes

Garbage, despite its name, is a game you'll want to play again and again. It is also, not surprisingly, known as Trash. Garbage is an excellent game for a wide range of players and even preschoolers who are working on number recognition will benefit from playing.

Table of Contents



[1]. Components

- A standard 52-card deck of playing cards. 
(Need an additional deck for 4 or more players.)


[2]. Game Set

Deal each player 10 cards. Place the remaining cards in the middle of the table. This is the "draw pile."

Each player arranges their cards in two lines of 5 cards each, face down. 

These lines of cards will correspond to the sequence of numbers with ace in the top left and 10 in the bottom right.


[3]. Game Progress

Player 1 takes the top card from the draw pile. If it is a number card he places it in the corresponding place in his number line, flipping and removing the card that occupied that position. He then takes the flipped card and places it in its corresponding spot, if applicable.

For example, if player 1 draws a 5, he flips over the card from the corresponding spot in the cards in front of him and places the 5 in that spot. If the flipped card is a number, he moves it to the corresponding position, and so on.

If he turns over a jack or a queen he discards it. Jacks and queens are "garbage!"


- Player 1 draws a 5, places in the 5 position, flips over the original card, which is a Jack, so he discards it and his turn is over.

A king is a wildcard and may be placed in any position. Wildcards can also be moved on subsequent turns.



Player 2 draws an 8, places it in the 8 position, flips over the original card, which is a 10; she places the 10 in the 10 position and will now flip over the original card in that position.

Play continues according to the game play rules above, with the exception that players can now choose a card from the draw pile or pick up the top card from the discard pile.


[4]. How to Finish the Game

After one player has completed the ace-ten sequence, the other player(s) get one final turn in an attempt to tie the game.


Player 1 is close to winning. Note the King as a wild card in the 1 (ace) position.