How to Play UNO & Rules of UNO Card Games you Should Know

What is UNO? 

UNO is quite different from other card games, meaning in a game UNO, you have to lose all your cards to win. We all must have heard many memes regarding UNO but trust me, they are all true. When you play UNO, the game becomes so addictive (in a positive way) that there is a clear fear of losing on everyone’s face. 

UNO is a classic card game founded by Merle Robbins in 1971 and is now owned by Mattel. It is designed for 2 to 10 players, typically aged 7 and above. The UNO card game is known for its simplicity and the excitement it generates among players. The objective of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all their cards.

UNO Card Game

The UNO card game consists of 108 cards, which are divided into four colors (red, blue, green, and yellow), as well as some special action cards. Each color has cards numbered 0 through 9 and three action cards: Draw Two, Skip, and Reverse. Additionally, there are four Wild cards and four Wild Draw Four cards that do not belong to any specific color.

The Full Rules for Uno Card Game

When playing fun games with friends, there might be a situation where the rules of UNO may vary from person to person. Therefore, let us review some of the basic UNO card rules to understand the game better.

1. Game Structure: Start by shuffling the deck of 108 cards and deal 7 cards to each player. Place the remaining cards face down to create the draw pile. From the draw pile, pick the top card to start the discard pile.

2. Starting the game: As soon as you are well aware of how to play UNO, start by asking the player to the left of the dealer to go first. As per the basic rules of UNO, a player must match the top card of the discard pile by color, number, or symbol (action card). If they cannot make a match, they must draw one card from the draw pile. If the drawn card is playable, the player can play it immediately; otherwise, the turn passes to the next player.

3. Action cards and their outcome: As the name suggests, action cards are truly one of the best cards that can surely make the game more thrilling for all players at the table. 

• Draw Two: Whenever a player places draw two, the next player must draw two cards and lose his/her own turn. This card can only be played on the card that matches in color or in draw two forms. If, in case, draw two is there at the beginning of the game, then the first player picks two cards and misses his/her turn.
• Skip: When the skip is placed, the next player's turn is skipped. This card can only be played on the card that either has another skip card or matches the card already placed as skip. If turned at the initial gameplay, the first player loses/skips his/her turn. 
• Reverse: In Uno reverse card, the order of play reverses direction (clockwise to counterclockwise, or vice versa). Like other action cards, the reverse can only be placed on the card that either matches the color or has another reverse card. If the game begins with this card, the player sitting at the right of the dealer would start the game.
• Wild Card: Wild card has 4 colours on it, and the player who plays this card has to select one color they want the game to continue in. This can be played regardless of whatever card is there on the pile of cards.
• Wild Draw Four: The player who plays Wild Draw Four card has to choose a color, and the next player must draw four cards and forfeit his/her turn to place card. When using this card, you cannot play any alternate cards that might match the color you have chosen. If this card is played wrongfully, you might be challenged by other players. If found guilty, you will have to draw 4 cards.  If, in case this card is played at the beginning, return the card to the draw pile and turn up a new card. 
   

Note: Wild Draw Four cards should only be played if the player has no other cards of the color already being played in the game. 
4. Announcing "UNO": When a player has only one card remaining, they must shout "UNO!" to inform the other players. If another player catches them not saying "UNO" before the next player begins their turn, the player with one card must draw two penalty cards.

5. saying "UNO" before the next player begins their turn, the player with one card must draw two penalty cards. 
Winning: The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the round. 
Though there are no scoring points or rules as such for the same, they can be added to elevate the thrilling experience.  
The above-mentioned UNO card rules describe the classic version of UNO, but many variations and special editions are available that introduce new cards or gameplay elements.

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How to Play UNO Card Game

There are many variations and special editions of UNO, some with unique cards or gameplay twists, but the core gameplay remains the same. Let us understand step-by-step how to play UNO card games.

1. As soon as the game begins, each player is dealt 7 UNO cards, and the player to the left of the dealer starts the game. 
2. Match the top card shown on the discard pile by color or number. For instance: if the top card on the discard pile is a 5 of red, then as per UNO card rules, you can either play a red card of any number or a 5 number card of any color. 
3. As per the UNO rules, if you do not have any card matching the discard pile, you may even play any wild card or a wild draw of 4 cards.
4. In case you do not have the required card for playing, you either pick a card from the closed pile and if it matches your requirement, you discard on the discard pile, otherwise, keep it with you for further rounds. 
5. Other than the normal color and numbered cards, there are action cards as well, which have special importance in the game, so much so that they can completely change the entire gameplay.
6. Action cards are, Draw Two, Reverse, skip, Wild card, and Wild Draw Four card. Each card has its unique features making the game interesting and entertaining.
7. Once 6 of your cards have been discarded, and there is only 1 card left, it is absolutely mandatory to declare “UNO” otherwise, as per UNO rules, you will have to pick 2 cards as a penalty for not making the declaration on time.  

Two Player & Four Player UNO Original Rules

In a two-player game, the rules have a few interesting twists:

1. Reverse Card: Functions like a Skip card, causing your opponent to lose their turn.
2. Skip Card: Allows you to immediately play another card after skipping your opponent's turn.
3. Draw Two or Wild Draw Four Cards: When you play these cards, your opponent must draw the specified number of cards. Once they have drawn the cards, it becomes your turn again.
   These adjustments add a unique dynamic to the game, making it just as exciting as playing with four players.

Uno Card Game FAQs

How to Play a UNO card game?

A game of UNO is played using a deck of 108 cards, where 7 cards are dealt to each player. The game begins with the player sitting on the left to the dealer playing the card as per the card already displayed on the discard pile.

What is UNO in a card game?

UNO is a super fun multiplayer card game where the agenda is to discard all cards in hand in order to win the game.

Is UNO played with 7 cards?

Yes, the UNO card game is played using 7 cards among 2 or more players using a deck of 108 cards.

How many cards are there in the UNO game?

The UNO card game has 108 cards, which include numbers 0 to 9, each of green, yellow, red, and blue. Also, there are action cards, such as skip, reverse, and draw two are available in all 4 colors, and Wild cards and Wild draw 4 cards.

What are the basic rules of playing UNO?

As soon as most of the cards are discarded, and the moment the player is left with one card, he/she must yell UNO. If the player does not declare UNO at the right time and gets caught, the player will have to pick 2 cards as a penalty.

Is there a 7 rule in UNO?

Yes, as per this rule, when a player plays a ‘7’ card on the discard pile, he is eligible to swap all his/her cards with whoever they wish to.

What are the 4 rules in UNO?

As per the 4 rule in UNO, if any player suspects that a player has misused a Wild Draw4 card, they can challenge the other person to display his/her hand. If found guilty, the player will have to draw the 4 cards plus 2 additional cards as a penalty. 

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