UNO Emoji is a fun and exciting twist on the classic UNO card game, designed with modern emojis to make the game more colorful and relatable to today’s world. With bright, expressive emoji faces and new special action cards, UNO Emoji brings a new level of excitement to the classic gameplay. Whether you’re playing with family, friends, or fellow emoji lovers, this version of UNO is sure to bring out lots of laughter and fun! Let’s explore the rules and tips for playing UNO Emoji!
What is UNO Emoji?
UNO Emoji is a themed version of the classic UNO game which is formed with colorful emoji cards instead of the usual numbers and colors. These cards represent a wide variety of facial expressions, objects, and actions that players can use to spice up the game. The goal remains the same as in traditional UNO: be the first to get rid of all your cards. However, the game introduces some exciting new action cards based on popular emojis, which add a fun twist to the original rules.
Setting Up UNO Emoji
UNO Emoji is easy to set up and play. Here’s how you get started:
- Shuffle the Cards: Mix up the cards thoroughly to ensure a random distribution.
- Deal the Cards: Each player receives 7 cards at the start of the game.
- Place the Draw Pile: Put the remaining deck face down in the center of the table to form the draw pile.
- Start the Game: The player to the left of the dealer goes first. Play moves clockwise around the table.
Rules of Playing UNO Emoji
UNO Emoji follows the basic structure of classic UNO but with a twist. The primary goal is still to be the first to get rid of all your cards, but the fun comes from the unique emoji-based cards and their special effects.
Matching Cards
On your turn, you must match the card in the discard pile by either color, number, or emoji symbol. For example, if the discard pile has a red “heart” emoji, you can play a red card or any card with a heart emoji, regardless of the color.
If you can’t play any card, you must draw a card from the deck. If the drawn card is playable, you can immediately play it; if not, your turn ends.
Special Emoji Action Cards
What makes UNO Emoji special are the emoji action cards. These cards have unique effects that add a fun, unexpected twist to the game. Here’s a look at some of the most exciting ones:
- (Heart Eyes): This card allows you to skip the next player’s turn, just like a traditional Skip It’s perfect for slowing down an opponent who’s getting too close to winning.
- (Wink): This card forces the next player to draw two cards and lose their turn, similar to a Draw Two Use it to throw off your opponents and gain an advantage.
- (Thinking Face): This card allows you to change the color in play, just like the traditional Wild Card. Use it to switch to a color that suits your hand and disrupt the flow of the game.
- (Thumbs Up): This card allows you to reverse the direction of play, just like the Reverse card in classic UNO. It can be used to your advantage if you want to change the direction and take control of the game.
- (Mind Blown): This is a special Wild Draw 4 When played, the next player must draw 4 cards and lose their turn. It’s a powerful card to disrupt your opponents’ progress!
Winning the Game
UNO Emoji ends when a player plays all their cards. Just like regular UNO, the first player to get rid of all their cards and shout “UNO!” wins the round. The game is quick and fun, so you can easily play multiple rounds in one session.
Scoring in UNO Emoji
In UNO Emoji, scoring is similar to regular UNO. After a round ends, players count the points in the cards left in their opponents’ hands:
- Number cards: Worth their face value (e.g., a 3 card is worth 3 points).
- Emoji action cards: Special action cards like (Heart Eyes), (Wink), and (Thumbs Up) are worth 20 points
- Wild cards: The (Thinking Face) and (Mind Blown) Wild cards are worth 50 points
The game continues until one player reaches 500 points.
Expert Tips for Playing UNO Emoji
UNO Emoji adds a fun, emoji-filled twist to the classic game. To help you win, here are a few expert tips:
- Use the (Mind Blown) card strategically: The Wild Draw 4 card can completely disrupt the game, especially if you’re able to play it when your opponent is close to winning. Hold onto this card until the right moment.
- Control the color with (Thinking Face): The Thinking Face Wild card is your best friend when you need to change the color and play your remaining cards. Use it when you’re running out of options.
- Disrupt with (Wink): Don’t hesitate to use the Wink card when your opponent has only one card left. Forcing them to draw two cards can delay their victory and give you more time to win.
- Keep track of reverse actions with (Thumbs Up): The Thumbs Up card is perfect for reversing the flow of the game when it works to your advantage. If you’re playing in a large group, use it strategically to force an opponent into a tough position.
Conclusion
UNO Emoji is a lively version of the classic UNO game. It is perfect for players of all ages who want a more playful and modern twist. With the fun emoji cards and new action cards, you’ll find yourself laughing, strategizing, and getting into the spirit of the game with every turn. So grab your UNO Emoji deck, get ready to use those expressive emoji cards, and start playing!
Check out the Uno Game Variations & Special Editions guide to explore all the exciting game variations of UNO
FAQ
Can I play UNO Emoji with the regular UNO deck?
No, UNO Emoji uses a special deck with emoji-themed cards. The regular UNO deck does not have the same emoji action cards, so you’ll need the UNO Emoji deck to play.
How do I score in UNO Emoji?
In UNO Emoji, scoring is based on the cards left in your opponents’ hands. Action cards like (Heart Eyes) and (Wink) are worth 20 points, and Wild cards like (Mind Blown) are worth 50 points.
What happens if the draw pile runs out of cards?
If the draw pile is depleted and no player can play a card, the discard pile (except for the top card) is shuffled and becomes the new draw pile. The game continues as normal, with players drawing from this reshuffled pile. If no player can make a move, the game can be paused for a brief moment, and the pile can be reshuffled for continuity.
Can I combine UNO Emoji with other UNO versions?
While it’s technically possible to combine UNO Emoji with other UNO decks (like classic UNO or UNO Wild), the special emoji action cards in UNO Emoji could interfere with the flow of other versions. The best experience is to keep each UNO version separate
Can I skip or reverse the direction multiple times in one turn?
Yes, the direction of play can be reversed multiple times during a single turn if multiple Reverse cards () are played in succession. For example, if Player A plays a Reverse card and Player B follows with another Reverse card, the direction of play will be reversed twice and return it to the original direction.
