UNO Power Grab is a fast-paced and thrilling variation of the classic UNO game. It adds excitement with special Power Cards that let you grab advantages, block opponents, and change the game’s outcome in your favor. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned UNO player, this guide will help you learn the rules of UNO Power Grab and play confidently with smart strategies.
What is UNO Power Grab?
UNO Power Grab is a unique version of the traditional UNO game. It is a fast-paced and strategic game where special Power cards add surprises and challenges such as grabbing Power Towers, blocking opponents, or even changing the game’s direction.
Setting Up UNO Power Grab
To play UNO Power Grab, you’ll need the UNO Power Grab deck. The deck includes all the standard UNO cards along with special Power Grab cards that let you swap hands, block moves, and grab advantages. Here’s how to set it up:
- Mix the cards and deal 7 cards to each player.
- Place the rest of the cards face down in the center of the table to form the Draw pile.
- Turn over the top card from the Draw pile and place it face up next to it to start the Discard pile.
- The player to the left of the dealer goes first.
Rules for Playing UNO Power Grab
UNO Power Grab follows the basic rules of regular UNO but adds excitement with Power Towers and special action cards.
Matching Cards
When your turn comes, match the card in play by color or number. If you can’t match, draw a card from the deck. If the card you draw can be played, you can place it right away. If not, your turn ends.
Power Icons
In UNO Power Grab, some number cards feature Power Icons on them. These icons include U, N, O, and ! (exclamation point) and have a special connection to the Power Towers. Here’s what you need to know:
- Matching Cards: You cannot match Power Icon cards by their symbol. Instead, match them by their color or number, just like regular number cards.
- Grabbing Power Towers: When you play a Power Icon card, you can grab the matching Power Tower from another player. The tower’s color doesn’t need to match the card. It only needs to have the same symbol.
Power Towers
In UNO Power Grab, there are 4 colorful Power Towers that players can grab during the game. These Power Towers make the game more exciting. Here’s what each Power Tower does:
- U (Red Tower): Cancels the Draw One card effect.
- N (Blue Tower): Cancels the Draw Two card effect.
- O (Green Tower): Cancels the Wild Draw Four card effect.
- ! (Yellow Tower): Cancels the Skip card effect.
If you have a Power Tower, it protects you from Action cards that would normally affect you. You can ignore those cards while you hold the tower. If you collect all four Power Towers, you get an “Instant UNO”. This means you can discard all your cards at once except one. To do this, yell “UNO”, discard your cards, and return the Towers to their original spot beside the Play Tray.
Power Grab Special Action Cards
Here are some of the special action cards in UNO Power Grab that add excitement and strategy to the game:
- Skip: Makes the next player lose their turn.
- Reverse: Reverses the order of play. If the play order is clockwise, it changes to counterclockwise, and vice versa.
- Draw One: When you play a Draw One card, the next player must draw one card and skip their turn. You can only play it on a card that matches its color or symbol.
- Draw Two: When you play a Draw Two card, the next player must draw two cards and miss their turn. You can only play this card on another card that matches its color or symbol.
- Grab-2-Towers: When you play a Grab-2-Towers card, you can take two Power Towers of your choice. You can grab them from another player, from the unclaimed Power Towers next to the Play Tray, or a mix of both. This card can only be played on a matching color card or another Grab-2-Towers However, if the card is turned up at the start of the game, the first player can only match it by color and is not allowed to grab any Power Towers.
- Wild Grab-A-Tower: Playing a Wild Grab-A-Tower card allows you to take any one Power Tower of your choice. You can grab it from another player or the unclaimed Power Towers next to the Play Tray. Since it’s a Wild card, you also get to choose the color that continues the game. If this card is turned up at the start of the game, the first player can’t grab a Tower but can choose the starting color of the game.
- Wild Draw Four: Allows you to change the color and forces the next player to draw four cards. However, you can only play this card if you don’t have a card matching the current color in play.
Scoring in UNO Power Grab
At the end of each round, points are added up based on the cards left in opponents’ hands:
- Number: Worth face value.
- Skip: 20 points each.
- Reverse: 20 points each.
- Draw One: 20 points each.
- Draw Two: 20 points each.
- Grab-2-Towers: 20 points each.
- Wild Grab-A-Tower: 50 points each.
- Wild Draw Four: 50 points each.
The game continues until one player reaches 500 points and wins the game.
Expert Tips for Playing UNO Power Grab
Mastering UNO Power Grab requires strategy, quick thinking, and smart decision-making. Here are some expert tips to help you dominate the game:
- Grab Power Towers Early: Try to get Power Towers as soon as possible to protect yourself from opponent’s action cards.
- Use Wild Cards Strategically: Play Wild Grab-A-Tower or Wild cards at the right time to change the game in your favor.
- Maintain a Balanced Hand: Keep a mix of colors and numbers in your hand to ensure flexibility in your gameplay.
- Pay Attention to Opponents: Keep an eye on your opponents’ Power Towers and actions to anticipate their moves.
- Save Important Cards: Save your high-value or special action cards for crucial moments in the game.
Conclusion
With strategic opportunities to grab Power Towers, block opponents, and change the game’s direction, every round is full of surprises and challenges in UNO Power Grab. Whether you’re matching colors, blocking moves, or grabbing towers, every decision shapes the game’s outcome. So, grab your UNO Super Power Grab deck and get ready to play.
Check out the Uno Game Variations & Special Editions guide to explore all the exciting game variations of UNO
FAQs
What makes UNO Power Grab different from classic UNO?
UNO Power Grab is different from classic UNO because it adds special Power Cards and Power Towers. These new elements let players take cards from opponents, block effects, and change the game in surprising ways. It makes the game faster and more strategic.
Can I challenge a Power card in UNO Power Grab?
No, you can’t challenge a Power card in UNO Power Grab. Unlike some other versions of UNO, Power Grab cards don’t have a challenge feature. Just focus on using your cards wisely to win the game.
Is UNO Power Grab suitable for beginners?
Yes, UNO Power Grab is suitable for beginners. The game has simple rules, and the special Power Cards add fun twists without making it too complicated. Anyone can quickly learn and enjoy the game!
Can you skip a player with a Power Card?
Yes, In UNO Power Grab, you can skip a player using the yellow Power Tower. If you have this Power Tower, it lets you cancel the effect of a Skip card. This means the next player misses their turn, and you get an advantage in the game.