Playing a board or card game with friends and family makes sweet memories. One such excellent card game is UNO. It is easier to learn how to play UNO as the cards in a deck are quite simple. There are numbers and special cards a player can use to win this game. Let us delve deeper into the types of cards first and then focus on learning the rules.
Types of UNO cards
A deck of 108 UNO playing cards comprises the following components.
1. Number cards
- There are four colors of number cards. The colors are red, green, yellow, and blue.
- Each color has 19 cards ranging between 0 and 9. So, the total number of cards is (19 x 4) = 76.
2. Special cards
Apart from the number cards, there are special cards that provide a special power to a UNO player. These special cards are:
- Reverse card: There are 8 reverse cards, two for each color. This card has the power to reverse the direction (right to left or left to right) of a game. It has a symbol of two arrows. A reverse card can only be played if its color matches with the previous card on the discarded pile.
- Skip card: Like the reverse card, there are 8 skip cards, two for each color. It has a symbol of a circle with a line inside. A player can play this card only if its color matches the previous card. When played, it delivers the power to end the turn of the next player. The turn goes to the second next player.
- Draw 2: As the name suggests, this special UNO card makes the next player skip his turn and draw two cards from the face-down deck. It has a ‘+2’ sign on it. This category has eight cards, two for each color. A player can only leave this card face up if its color matches the previous card.
- Draw 4: This special card makes the next player pick four cards from the face-down deck and skip his turn. The user will get to choose a color to be played by the second-next player. It has a ‘+4’ sign on it. There are four Draw 4 cards in a deck and this category does not fall in any color.
- Wild: The Wild card allows a user to pick a color to continue playing. There are four Wild cards in a deck. A player can use this card when he lacks a particular color and wants to change it for convenience.
Rules to play UNO
Now that we have learned the different categories of UNO cards, let’s focus on the rules. This game can be played by 2 to 10 players. The age limit is 7+.
1. Shuffle the card deck properly to mix all the cards properly.
2. Once the deck is shuffled, distribute 7 cards to each player and put the rest of the undistributed cards face down to form a deck.
3. Turn the top card to choose the first color or number to begin this game. If it is a special card, turn in another one and leave the special card inside the pile, not at the top.
4. The game starts clockwise from the dealer. It means the player to the left of the dealer will start.
5. Play a card that matches the first card in terms of color or number. The next player will repeat the same by matching the card you have left on the face-up pile.
6. If a player is unable to find a matching card, he can either have to play a Wild or Draw 4 card to continue. If not, he will have to pick one card from the face-down deck and put it in his hand. The next player will get to play the next card.
7. If a player can match the color of a special card, he can use it. He can voluntarily choose to play a special card or can pick one from the deck.
8. If a player has one card left in his hand, he will have to yell ‘UNO’ to alert other players. He can play the last card once his turn comes. If he forgets to say UNO and gets caught by other players, he will have to draw 2 cards from the deck. If no one notices, he goes unpunished.
9. During a UNO Game, if a player with one card in hand cannot match a color or a number, he will have to pick one from the pile.
10. Players can use the special cards to foil the plans of players with one card in their hands.
11. The first player to empty his hands will win the game.
12. The rest of the players will keep the cards face up on the table to count points. All number cards carry their face value. Draw 2, Skip, and Reverse add 20 points for each card. Draw 4 and Wild add 50 points. The player to reach 500 points first is eliminated.
Tips to win a UNO game
Here is a list of tips you can follow to win a UNO card game.
1. Keep track of your cards in hand
Stack the cards as per color. Keep the Wild and Draw 4 cards aside. Count the cards and check how many cards are left in the opponents’ hands.
2. Try changing the color
Observe to find if a player is putting down cards of similar color. Change the color if possible with a number card or a Wild Card.
3. Card management
Make sure you play your cards by balancing the colors. It is not necessary that you have to play the same color all the time. Experts suggest playing cards with color variation will keep your hand balanced to play a card in the next moves without missing your chance.
4. Special card tricks
Focus on killing two birds with one stone. Try using special cards when the player next to you is low on cards. Try changing the direction of the game to calculate your next moves.
Conclusion
UNO has a simple game play that links one generation with the other. Follow the rules and develop your strategy to win every hand. Enjoy unlimited fun and bond well with your friends and family.
FAQs – How to Play Uno
Q 1: How many cards are there in a UNO deck?
Answer:
There are 108 cards. The altered versions may have more cards such as Swap Hands and blank cards that players can customize.
Q2: Can I end a UNO game with a special card?
Answer:
The international rule suggests you can end it with a special card. However, many conventional players make it a rule to end it with a number card.
Q3: How many players can play UNO?
Answer:
This game can be played by 2 to 10 players at the same time.
Q4: What will happen when special cards are played between two players?
Answer:
When you play a Draw 2, the opponent will pick two cards and you will get to play a card again. The same stands for Skip, Reverse, Draw 4 but not Wild.