Author: Melissa

Part of the fun in raising Zoey is finding things that delight and educate her; I want to find fun, creative board games to play with her during our family game nights! This week we played Uno for 2 to 10 players!

When I’m researching the rules for these games I’ve played since childhood, I am discovering that I’ve been playing them differently for years! For example, when we didn’t have a playable card to match the one on the discard pile, we kept drawing until we found one, but apparently you are only supposed to draw once and move on! It does make for some funny game moments and prolongs the game; either way is fun!

So let’s play!

IN THE BOX

• 112 cards

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Each player draws a card; the player that draws the highest number deals (count any action card as a zero).
2. The dealer shuffles the deck and deals each player 7 cards.
3. Place the remainder of the deck facedown to form the “Draw” pile.
4. The top card of the “Draw” pile is turned over to begin the “Discard” pile. If any of the action cards are turned over to start the “Discard” pile (see the function of each action card for special instructions).
5. Action cards:
   • Draw Two card – When you play this card, the next player must draw 2 cards and miss their turn. This card may be played on a matching color or another Draw Two card. If turned up at the beginning of play the same rule applies.
   • Reverse card – When you play this card, the direction of play reverses (if play is currently to the left, the play changes to the right, and vice versa). This card may only be played on a matching color or another Reverse card. If this card is turned up at the beginning of of play, the dealer goes first, then play moves to the right instead of left.
   • Skip card – When you play this card, the next player is “skipped” or loses their turn. This card may only be played on a matching color of another Skip card. If turned up at the beginning of play, the player to the left of the dealer is “skipped”, and the player to the left of that player starts play.
   • Wild card – When you play this card, you get to choose the color that continues play (any color including the color in play before the Wild card was laid down). You may play a Wild card on your turn even if you have another playable card in your hand. If a Wild card is turned up at the beginning of play, the person to the left of the dealer chooses the color that continues play.
   • Wild Draw 4 card – When you play this card, you get to choose the color that continues play PLUS the next player must draw 4 cards from the “Draw” pile and lose their turn. You may only play this card when you do NOT have another card in your hand that matches color on the “Discard” pile (but it is acceptable to play this card if you have matching number or Action cards). If turned up at the beginning of play, return this card to the deck and pick another card.
6. The person to the left of the dealer starts play. 
7. On your turn, you must match a card from your hand to the card on the top of the “Discard” pile, either by number, color or action card symbol.
8. If you don’t have a card that matches the one on the “Discard” pile, you must take a card from the “Draw” pile. If the card you picked up can be played, you are free to put it down on the same turn. Otherwise, play moves to the next person.
9. You may also choose NOT to play a playable card from your hand. If so, you must draw a card from the “Draw” pile. If playable, that card can be put down in the same turn, however you may not play any other card from your hand after the draw.
10. If no player is out of cards by the time the “Draw” pile is depleted, the “Discard” pile is reshuffled and play continues.
11. When you play your next-to-last card, you must say “Uno” to indicate that you only have one card left. If you don’t say “Uno” and you’re caught before the next player begins their turn, you must draw two cards.
    • If the last card played in a round is a Draw Two or a Wild Draw Four card, the next player must draw 2 or 4 cards respectively. These cards are counted when the points are totaled.
12. Once a player has no cards left, the round is over and the first player to get rid of their cards in a round receives points for all the cards left in their opponents’ hands as follows:
    • All number cards (0-9) = face value
    • Draw Two = 20 points
    • Reverse = 20 points
    • Skip = 20 points
    • Wild = 50 points
    • Wild Draw Four = 50 points
13. Once the score for the round has been tallied, if no player has reached 500 points, reshuffle the cards and begin a new round. Players retain their points from previous rounds.
14. The winner is the first player to reach 500 points.

ENJOY!