Uno is one of the most fantastic games. It is a widely played card game around the world. If you haven’t yet tried this card game, then give it a shot. You will surely love it. Also, don’t worry about the card game UNO rules; we are going to share the basic UNO rules with you so you can play it without any worry.
So, if you’re curious to know how to play UNO, keep reading this post. Here, we are sharing a comprehensive list of rules for this popular card game, along with frequently asked questions. So, let’s get started…
About UNO
UNO is a popular card game created by Merle Robbins in 1971. It is played with a specifically designed deck of 108 cards. It consists of 25 cards of each color, including red, blue, green, and yellow.
There are 19 number cards (One zero and two of every number from one to nine). There are 2 reverse cards, two skip cards, 2 draw 2 cards, 4 wild draw 4 cards, and 4 wild cards.
This card game can be played by individuals of all age group, including children and oldies. Player to score 500 points first wins the game. Players are supposed to play all the cards in hand. They earn points based on the cards left in their opponents’ hands.
Understanding UNO Card Meaning
UNO seems to be an easy card game; however, you need to have proper strategies in place to increase your chances of winning. Here is a brief description of all the UNO cards:
➡ UNO Reverse card
This card changes the direction of play, such as from clockwise to anticlockwise. You need to be very careful when handling this card.
➡ The UNO Skip card
The UNO kip card, as the name says allows the next player to be skipped. This helps the player to have an added advantage.
➡ Draw 2 Card
When a draw 2 card is played, the next player is required to pick up 2 cards, and their turn is skipped. Playing a +2 card can be a strategic move to thwart your opponent’s chances of winning, as the goal of the game is to get rid of all your cards in hand.
➡ Wild Card
The wild card is the one that contains all four colours. This card grants players the freedom to choose which colour they want to proceed with for the round. When playing a wild card, it’s important to clearly communicate the colour you want the game to switch to.
You can choose to play with the same colour as the current card and discard the wild card. The wild cards can be a strategic move for players with a greater number of cards of the same color. You can choose to get rid of those cards using a wild card.
➡ Wild Card Draw 4
Again, using this card allows you to choose the colour of your choice from among all the four colors in the card. But there is a twist. When you play Wild Card Draw 4, the next player is required to pick up 4 cards from the draw pile and skip their turn.
However, to play this card, you need to make sure you do not have a card in your hand that matches the color of the card on the discard pile. The player who will require to pick up 4 cards can challenge you if they suspect you have a card in the same colour.
And if their suspicion is correct, you’ll have to draw 4 cards. If, on the other hand, they are mistaken, the challenger will need to draw the 4 cards along with an additional 2 cards.
Also See: How to Play Patience Card Game Online
How To Play UNO?
Playing UNO is a breeze, especially if you are accustomed to the rules. Here is how you can play the classic UNO card game effortlessly. Take a look…
➡ STEP 1. Distribution of the UNO cards
Each player is dealt 7 cards to begin the game. At the same time, the remaining cards are placed in a draw pile with face down. The top card of the draw pile is turned over or flipped to form a discard pile.
When a wild card is revealed, it should be placed at the bottom of the draw pile and the following card should be flipped.
➡ STEP 2. Align your cards with the discard pile
The game can be started with either the player to the left of the dealer or the youngest player. Afterward, it continues in a clockwise direction.
It is advisable to carefully examine the card on the top of the discard pile to determine if any of your cards can be played. You should have a playable card that aligns with the colour or number of the card.
If you don’t have any playable cards, draw a card from the draw pile. Since the objective of UNO is to be the first player to discard all of your cards, it is suggested that you do not pick up additional cards unnecessarily.
If you need to draw a card, play it immediately if it is playable. Otherwise, your turn will be over.
In the event that all of the cards in the draw pile have been used and no player has won so far, then you will have to reshuffle the discards pile in order to start it all over again.
Basic Rules for the UNO Card Game
➡ Beginning Order: The game begins with either the player to the left of the dealer or the youngest player.
➡Turn Order: Players take turns in a clockwise direction.
➡ Forming a Discard Pile: The top card of the draw pile is turned over or flipped to form a discard pile.
➡ Playing Cards: When the game starts, players need to match a card from their hand to the card on the top of the discard pile. They can match either by color, number, or symbol.
➡ Special Cards: The UNO deck includes special action cards, including
- Skip: One who plays a skip card skips the next player in the game.
- Reverse: This card allows the player to reverse the direction of play (from clockwise to anticlockwise).
- Draw Two: Playing this card simply means the next player needs to draw two cards and skip their turn.
- Wild Card: Since wild card has all four colours. It allows the player to change the current color being played.
- Wild Draw Four: Allows the player to change the current color and forces the next player to draw four cards. However, it can only be played if you have no other cards that can match the color of the card on the discard pile.
➡ Drawing Cards: When you don’t have playable cards in hand, you must draw one card from the draw pile. If the drawn card is playable, you must play it immediately; otherwise, your turn will be gone.
➡ Winning a Round: The round ends when a player has gotten rid of all his cards in hand. Once the player declares win, the opponents’ cards in hands are counted and added to the winner’s score according to the following point values:
- Number cards (0-9): Face value.
- Skip, Reverse, and Draw Two: 20 points each.
- Wild, Wild Draw Four: 50 points each.
Winning the Game
UNO card game continues with multiple rounds until a player reaches a total of 500 points. If none of the players comes out victorious at the end of the round, the reshuffling of the discard pile takes place in order to restart the game all over again.
Strategies To Win UNO Game
UNO is a fun and engaging game ideal for people of all age groups. However, it is crucial to have your strategies in place in order to win the game. Here are some tried and tested strategies that can help you win this friendly game. Take a look…
➡ BE FAST: Every player in this game strive to get rid of the cards in their hand. In such a situation, it becomes important to be alert and fast when announcing your win.
You need to be fast enough to announce “UNO” the moment you get rid of your cards so that the next player cannot complete his chance. If you don’t say UNO in time and are caught by another player, you’ll need to pick up 4 cards from the draw pile.
➡ BE SMART: Play your turns very carefully and keep all the rules in mind. Avoid suspicion. If you’re caught, you’ll have to start again.
➡ BE GUIDED: Do not be over confident when playing UNO. This game comes with special cards that can turn the course of the game anytime. Hence, be aware of all the rules and regulations.
➡ BE PATIENT: Patience is the key to playing and winning any game. Being patient will help you use the right strategies and special cards at the right moment.
Wrapping it up…
So, these are the rules and strategies to play and win the UNO game. Hopefully, this article has been informative for you and helped you understand this thoroughly!
Happy Gaming… 😊 😊