Rules for Uno (with standard deck)

Uno with a standard deck, also known as Crazy Eights, is a card game where the goal is to be the first to get rid of all your cards. It works for 2-6 players and a round usually takes 15-30 minutes. All you need is a standard 52-card deck (no jokers) and some table space.

The game is built around matching cards by suit or rank, with eights acting as wild cards that let you change the suit. There is a decent mix of luck and tactics involved.

Start by shuffling the deck thoroughly. Then deal cards to each player:

• 2-3 players: 7 cards each
• 4-6 players: 5 cards each

Place the remaining cards face down in the center of the table as the draw pile. Turn over the top card and place it beside the draw pile to start the discard pile.

If the first card turned over is an eight, put it back somewhere in the deck and turn over a new card.

In this Uno variant, regular playing cards have the following functions:

• Numbers 2-7 and 9-10: Regular cards with no special function
• Eights (8): Wild cards - can be played at any time and let you choose a new suit
• Ace (A): Skip the next player
• Jack (J): The next player draws 2 cards
• Queen (Q): Reverse the direction of play
• King (K): Wild draw 4 - choose the suit and the next player draws 4 cards

Note: Some people prefer simpler rules where only eights have special functions.

Play goes clockwise from the player to the dealer's left. On your turn, you can:

• Play a card that matches the top card of the discard pile by suit (♠️♦️♣️♥️) or rank (same number or face card)
• Play an eight (wild card) and choose a new suit
• Draw cards from the pile if you have nothing to play

If you have no playable cards, draw up to 3 cards from the draw pile. If you draw a card you can play, you may play it straight away. If you have drawn 3 cards and still cannot play, say 'pass' and the turn moves on.

Eights are the most powerful cards in the game:

• Can be played regardless of what suit or rank is on top
• The player who plays an eight decides which suit the next player must follow
• You must announce the new suit out loud (for example, 'I'm changing to hearts')
• Save eights for when you really need them.

If you have multiple cards of the same rank, you can play them all at once - but only if the first card matches the discard pile.

'UNO!' / 'Last Card!': When you are down to one card (after playing your second-to-last card), you must say 'Uno!' or 'Last card!' out loud. If you forget and another player catches you before your next turn, you must draw 2 penalty cards.

Empty draw pile: If the draw pile runs out, take all cards from the discard pile except the top one, shuffle them, and use them as the new draw pile.

Last card: You can finish with any card, including special cards.

When a player has played all their cards, they score points based on the cards still in other players' hands:

• Eights: 50 points each
• Face cards (K, Q, J): 10 points each
• Aces: 15 points
• Number cards 2-10: Face value

Play several rounds until someone reaches 500 points. That player wins.

There are many variants of the game:

• Simple version: Play without special cards - only eights can change suits
• Draw twos: Twos force the next player to draw 2 cards
• Stacking: If someone plays a Jack (+2), the next player can play another Jack to pass the penalty on (becomes +4)
• Seven-zero: Playing a 7 lets you swap hands with any player; playing a 0 rotates all hands in the direction of play
• Jump-in: If you have the exact same card (matching both suit and rank), you can play it even when it is not your turn

A few things worth keeping in mind:

• Hold onto eights until you really need them. They are your most flexible cards.
• Try to keep track of which suits opponents seem to be missing
• Notice when other players are forced to draw cards
• If you have several cards in one suit, try to steer play toward that suit
• Keep an eye on players approaching one card and try to block them
• Always remember to say "Uno" when you are down to one card