UNO is a timeless card game that brings people together with its simple rules and quick gameplay. It’s a good pick for people of all ages, from kids to adults, and perfect for family or friends. In this guide, I’ll provide you with the basics of UNO, including the different cards, gameplay steps, winning strategies, and scoring system. Let’s explore!
What is UNO?
UNO is a card game suitable for 2 to 10 players, where each player aims to be the first to discard all their cards in different rounds. The game is played with a unique deck containing 108 cards. The cards split into four different colors (red, yellow, green, and blue) and numbered from 0 to 9, with some special action cards.
Who can Play UNO?
UNO is such an easy and fun game that anyone can enjoy it. It’s a go-to choice for players of all ages, whether it’s a family gathering or a casual hangout. The simple rules and colorful cards of UNO especially hook kids aged 7 and up.
A typical UNO round lasts from 5 to 15 minutes. So, it’s a great choice for players with shorter attention spans. Additionally, its competitive gameplay attracts adults alike, making it the ultimate choice for any lively game night.
What Setup Do You Need to Play UNO?
To play UNO, all you need is the unique UNO card deck. This special deck comes with 108 cards in four colors including red, yellow, green, and blue, crafted to make the game more exciting and easy to play. Here’s a breakdown of the 108 deck cards:
- Number Cards (76 cards): Each color has 19 cards, ranging from 0 to 9.
- Action Cards (24 cards): Each color contains three types of action cards: Skip, Reverse, and Draw Two. Additionally, each color has two of each type of action card.
- Wild Cards (8 cards): Includes two types of wild cards: Wild and Wild Draw Four.
How to Start UNO?
To start UNO, follow the steps below:
- Shuffle the Deck: Shuffle the cards randomly.
- Deal the Cards: Distribute 7 cards to each player.
- Create a Draw Pile: After distributing cards to everyone, place the extra cards face-down to create a draw pile.
- Start the Discard Pile: Pick the top card from the draw pile and place it face-up next to the stack. This stack is called the discard pile, which determines the required color and number for players to match. If the card is an action card (Skip, Reverse, or Draw Two), it activates instantly. However, if it’s a Wild or Wild Draw Four, you can flip over another card from the draw pile and begin the discard pile.
Check out our guide on UNO Game Rules to get a better understanding of how the game works.
Gameplay Steps in UNO
The gameplay steps in UNO are as follows:
- Take Turns: The left player to the card dealer starts the game in a clockwise direction, one after another.
- Match Cards: Match the card on the discard pile by its color, number, or action. If you can’t match the card, you must pick a card from the draw pile.
- Shout UNO!: When you’re down to your last card, you must yell “UNO!” before anyone else spots you. If you miss, you’ll have to draw two penalty cards.
- Keep Playing: A round ends when a player has no cards left. The winner gets points by counting the cards their opponents still have. It typically continues until a player reaches 500 points and wins the game.
Points and Scoring System in UNO
In UNO, the winner of each round gets points based on the cards their opponents have left. After a round, all other players’ cards are combined into one deck, which the winner then sorts into points based on the particular card values.
The table demonstrates the scoring for the particular cards as follows:
| Type of Card | Points |
| Number Cards | Face value (0-9) |
| Action Cards | 20 points each |
| Wild Cards | 50 points each |
The winner openly tallies the points of each round and keeps a running total of the points. The game continues like this until one player attains 500 points.
Conclusion
To sum up, UNO is a quick, easy game suitable for a wide audience. Whether you’re just hanging out with friends or looking for a serious match, UNO can always be a classic option for entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many cards are in UNO for each player?
There are 7 cards in UNO for each player. The remaining cards create the draw pile, from which players take turns to flip over a card and form a discard pile beside the draw pile.
How to set up the game?
To set up the game UNO, shuffle all the cards thoroughly and give 7 cards to each player. Place the remaining cards face down in the center as the draw pile. Next, flip the top card and place it next to the draw pile to form the discard pile. Then, the player to the dealer’s left goes first, and the game continues in a clockwise direction.
What happens if the draw pile runs out?
If the draw pile runs out, simply shuffle the discard pile to make a new draw pile and keep playing.
What if I forget to shout ‘UNO’?
If you forget to shout ‘UNO’ when you’ve only one card left and your opponent grabs it before your turn, you’ll have to draw two cards from the draw pile as a penalty.
Is there a limit to how many rounds you can play?
No, there’s no limit to how many rounds you can play. You have the freedom to play as many rounds as you want. It all depends on whether you prefer a shorter or longer game. Typically, the game continues until a player scores 500 points.
How do you win a round of UNO?
To win a round of UNO, you must play your final card. Points are then given to the other players based on the cards they have left. Finally, the game ends when a player reaches the targeted points.
What are the penalties in UNO?
The main penalty in UNO is not saying ‘UNO’ when you have one card remaining, which leads to picking up two more cards from the draw pile. In addition, if you play a Wild Draw Four card when you have the option to play another, you might have to pick up four cards as a penalty if the person challenging you wins the challenge.
