Uno is a family-friendly card game first developed in Ohio in 1971. Rights to the game changed hands a couple of times before being acquired by Mattel in 1992. Today, Uno is played all over the world, with many theme versions in existence. This classic card game is a staple of family game nights and rainy afternoons. 

The game requires a specialized deck of cards, and as few as two players or as many as ten players can join in. The game is a lot of fun, and Uno rules are easy to understand. Here is what you need to know about how to play Uno.

Understanding the Cards

Each Uno deck consists of 108 cards divided into four colorways: green, blue, red and yellow. Each colorway includes number and action or symbol cards. There are also Wild Cards and Wild Draw Four Cards.

Action cards have specific effects when played. When a ‘Skip Card’ is played, the next player is skipped and loses their turn. The ‘Reverse Card’ reverses the direction of play, so if play is moving in a clockwise direction, it will switch counter-clockwise upon playing a ‘Reverse Card.’ The ‘Draw Two Card’ requires the next player to select two cards from the draw pile and miss their turn. 

A ‘Wild Card’ and ‘Wild Draw Four Card’ allow the player who plays the card to select the next colorway. When a ‘Wild Card’ is played, play continues in the new colorway. When a ‘Wild Draw Four Card’ is played, the next player must draw four cards from the draw pile and lose their turn before play resumes.

Explanation of Uno Rules

A dealer is selected, and all players are dealt seven cards at the start of the game. The remaining cards are placed facedown in a stack. This stack is known as the draw pile. The top card from the draw pile is placed face-up next to the stack in what is known as the discard pile.

Play starts with the player to the left of the dealer. Each player plays one card from their hand that matches the top card in the discard pile. Matching cards must be the same color, number or symbol as the topmost card in the discard pile. For example, if the top card in the discard pile is a blue five, then any blue card or a ‘five’ of any color can be played.

If a player does not have a playable card, they must draw one card at a time from the draw pile until receiving a playable card. A ‘Wild Card’ can be played regardless of the topmost card in the discard pile. Players can only use a ‘Wild Draw Four Card’ if they do not have a card that matches the topmost card in the discard pile.

Namesake Rule

Perhaps the best-known Uno rule is the requirement to call out the name of the game at a specific time. When a player is about to play their second-to-last card, they are required to yell out, ‘Uno.’ This signifies the player has one card left. If a player does not do this, and another player calls ‘Uno,’ then the player with a single card is penalized by taking four cards from the draw pile.

How to Win the Game

One game consists of several rounds. The objective is to be the first player to get rid of all of the cards in their hand. Once that happens, the other players tally up the points in their hands. Number cards are scored based on the face value. Skip, Reverse and Draw Two Cards are worth 20 points. Both types of Wild Cards are worth 50 points each.

Points are awarded to the person who won the round. The first player to reach 500 points is the winner of the game.

Unofficial Rules

Uno acknowledges several variations to the rules, often referred to as ‘house rules.’ These variations offer an opportunity to mix things up and add a new dimension to the game. Examples of popular house rules include:

• Stacking: If consecutive players play the same action card, the penalty is stacked or doubled for the next player. For example, if two ‘Draw Two Cards’ are played in a row, the recipient of the second penalty would draw four cards.
• Seven-O: When a player plays a ‘7’ card, they can trade their entire hand with another player of their choosing. Every time a ‘0’ card is played, all players hand their cards to the next player in the direction of play.
• Jump-In: If a player has the same card that appears on the top of the discard pile, they can immediately play that card even if it is not their turn. Play will then resume as if it had been that player’s turn.

The simplicity of the game is undoubtedly part of the appeal of Uno. Understanding Uno rules means you can get playing and enjoy spending time with friends and family.