Rules

Gameplay

The winner of a hand is the first player to have no cards left in their hand at the end of any one turn.

Start by dealing out 7 cards to each player, then place the remaining cards (the Draw Pile) in the middle of the table. Take the top card and place it face-up next to the Draw Pile - this is the Play Pile. Play starts clockwise, starting with the player to the left of the dealer.

On a player's turn, they must play a card on the Play Pile from their hand, adding cards to their hand from the Draw Pile when unable to play. A card can be played if it matches the suit or rank of the top card of the Play Pile. When the Draw Pile is empty, it is replenished by shuffling the cards from the Play Pile, leaving the current top card out of the shuffle.

Card Values

Starting Rules

• Uno: When a player is down to a single card, you must say "Uno!" If another player calls "Uno" (after a respectful pause) before the player with one card left, that player must draw four cards.
• Stacking: When the player before you plays a Draw Two, you may avoid drawing two cards if you also play a Draw Two. "Stacking" Draw Twos compound the punishment (a second Draw Two would make the 3rd player draw four cards, unless they continue the stack.) The turn does not end until a player cannot or chooses not to play a 2, and incurs the total penalty.
• Stack and Skip: If a Draw Two is stacked on an identical Draw Two (a 2 of the same suit), the skip occurs first. Draw 2 stacking may then continue as normal.
• The Bomb: Wild Draw Four is unavoidable when played: Playing one guarantees that the next player will draw four cards. However, the card can't be played to avoid Draw 2 stacks.
• Ocho: When an eight is played, it is encouraged to say "Ocho!"

Strategy

Going Out

• Keeping a variety of ranks in your hand increases your chances of being able to play, so it follows then to play cards with ranks you have multiple of first, when possible.
• Like Uno™, if you can save a wild card as your last card, you greatly increase your chances of winning the hand.

Stopping Other Players From Going Out

• Collusion against players who have one card left is not only encouraged, but critical to the game. Players should openly strategize together about what cards they can play for each other to result in the player with Uno from winning, by delaying their turn with skips, forcing them to draw, or changing the suit to one they won't be able to play on.
• When playing before someone with Uno, consider the frequency of the rank of the card you're going to play. In the standard Ocho deck, 3s are less common than 7s, so its less likely they'll be able to win by matching their cards rank if you play a 3 as opposed to if you play a 7. Similarly, playing a Wild removes that chance all together, making the player win by matching suit or with a wild.
• Keep an eye on the size of your opponents' hands. By calling an opponent's Uno before they do, you defuse a potential threat. The best defense is a good offense!

FAQ

• Who deals to start the game?
  The player who won the last hand deals. That means they're last to play, handicapping them for the hand.
• The card flipped to start a hand is an Ace or a 2. Does play start reversed/Does the first player draw two cards?
  No. The first card of the game should only be recognized for setting the starting suit and rank, not like a card played from a player's hand.
• Can a player look through the stack of played cards?
  No. It is okay if the stack is not tidy and cards can be seen, though any player could tidy it up if they so choose. Picking up cards to see what is underneath is not allowed.
• The Draw Pile is empty, who shuffles the Play Pile to replenish it?
  The player that drew the last card from the Draw Pile should replenish it, even if that card allows them to stop drawing and play.