Draw cards in UNO are the key elements that make the game more thrilling and strategic. These special cards, such as Draw Two and Wild Draw Four cards introduce special effects to every match by forcing opponents to draw extra cards and skip their turns. Understanding how to use these cards effectively is crucial to mastering UNO gameplay. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about draw cards, their rules, and how to use them to your advantage.
What Are Draw Cards in UNO?
Draw cards are a special type of cards in UNO that forces the next player to draw extra cards from the draw pile. These cards change the pace of the game by slowing down opponents who are close to winning.
There are two common draw cards in a standard UNO deck. They are:
- Draw Two
- Wild Draw Four
Types of Draw Cards in UNO
Let’s break down how each of the draw cards works and when they’re most useful:
1. Draw Two Card
The Draw Two card in UNO makes the next player draw two cards from the draw pile and lose their turn. A standard 108-card UNO deck includes 8 Draw Two cards. These cards come in four different colors such as red, blue, green, and yellow, where each color has 2 Draw Two cards.
The Draw Two card can only be played if it matches the color of the top card on the discard pile. For example, if the top card is yellow and you have a yellow Draw Two card, you can play a yellow Draw Two card. This will make your next player pick up two additional cards and skip their turn to play.
2. Wild Draw Four Card
The Wild Draw Four card is one of the most powerful cards in UNO. It changes the current color of the game to any color you choose and forces the next player to take four cards from the draw pile and skip their turn.
The Wild Draw Four card can be used at any time. Yet, it can only be played if you don’t have any other cards of the same color as the top card. If you have a matching color, you must play that card instead.
For example, if the current color is green and you don’t have a green card, you can play the Wild Draw Four card and make the next player draw four cards. Remember that you must declare the new color for the game.
New Color Selection
- Choose a color that matches most of your remaining cards. It can help you avoid taking extra cards later.
- If you suspect an opponent has a specific color, pick another color to limit their chances of playing cards.
Challenge Rule for Wild Draw Four Cards
If you play a Wild Draw Four card when you have matching cards and an opponent notices, they can challenge your move. In this case, you must pick four cards from the pile. However, if the challenge is incorrect, the challenger must draw six cards from the pile.
Note: Use the Wild Draw Four card when you are stuck with no other cards to play. But be careful! Playing it when you could have played a card matching the top color might lead to a challenge, so it’s best to use this card wisely.
Understand the official rules of UNO to use the challenge rule correctly.
Effective Tips to Use Draw Cards in UNO
To master the use of draw cards in UNO, you need to understand the right timing and strategic application. Here are some tips to use draw cards effectively in UNO:
- Save draw cards for crucial moments. If an opponent is close to winning, play the Draw Two or Wild Draw Four card to slow them down and force them to draw extra cards. This works best if your opponent has fewer cards left. By making them draw more cards, you can delay their victory and make the game last longer for you.
- Make sure to use the Wild Draw Four card only when you don’t have any playable cards. Playing it unfairly can lead to a challenge, and you may end up drawing four cards yourself.
- In many house rules or custom plays, players can stack draw cards i.e. play a Draw Two card over a Draw Two card. Then, the following player would have to draw four cards instead of two. Make sure to clarify the rules before starting the game so you know how draw cards will work.
- Combine draw cards with other action cards to create powerful sequences. For example, playing a Draw Two card followed by a Reverse card can force your opponents to draw two cards and then skip their turn.
Get beginner-friendly tips to make the most of draw cards in your strategy.
Conclusion
To sum up, UNO’s Draw cards are powerful tools that can significantly alter the flow of the game. Whether it’s compelling your opponent to draw more cards or mess with their strategy, mastering the use of Draw Two and Wild Draw Four cards can provide you with a competitive advantage.
To learn more details on all the card types, visit our Card Types in UNO guide.
FAQs
Can you stack Draw cards in UNO?
No, you can’t stack Draw cards in UNO because official UNO rules don’t allow stacking these cards. However, some house rules may allow it, so check with other players before starting the game.
Can you play a Draw Two card on another Draw Two?
Yes, in official UNO rules, you can play a Draw Two card on another Draw Two. This move passes the penalty to the next player, who must draw four cards unless they also play a Draw Two card. This process keeps going until a player can’t play a Draw Two card, at which time they have to draw all the cards they’ve collected and lose their turn.
Can you play a Draw Two Card on a Wild Draw Four?
No, you cannot play a Draw Two card on a Wild Draw Four in official UNO rules. Each draw card must be used independently. After a Wild Draw Four card is played, the next player must draw four cards or challenge its use. Stacking draw cards is not allowed.
Can a Wild Draw Four card be played on a Draw Two?
No, Wild Draw Four cannot be played on a Draw Two card in the official UNO rules. Each card is played individually, and stacking them is not allowed. The next player must either draw the required cards or play a valid action card if possible.
Can you play a Wild Draw Four card when you have a matching color?
No, you can only play a Wild Draw Four card if you don’t have any cards that match the color of the top card on the discard pile. If you play it unfairly, the next player can challenge you.
Can you end the game with a Draw card?
Yes, you can end the game with a Draw Two card, as it counts as a regular card. However, if you play a Wild Draw Four as your final card, the next player must still draw four cards before the game ends.
