Traditional card games
Crazy Eights
- players
- 2–7
- minutes
- 25
- years
- 4+
In the box
52-card deck
Box details
- Origin
- Traditional game, with no specific designer or publisher
- Mechanics
- Hand ManagementMatching
Where to buy it
Near you
In a shop
Within 50 km.
The basics
Each player receives seven cards from a 52-card deck: the aim is to get rid of all your cards. On your turn, play a card of the same suit or the same rank as the top card, the 8 being wild and the 2, the Ace and the Jack each having their own effect; with no playable card, you draw. The first to play their last card collects the value of the cards left in the others’ hands, and the game is played to 200 points or an agreed number of rounds.
The rules, step by step
Setup
52 cards, 7 cards each, 1 card turned up
- Each player is dealt seven cards from a 52-card deck.
- One card is turned face up to start the discard pile; the rest forms the stock.
How to play
Same suit or rank, The 8 is wild, The 2: draw 2
- On your turn, play a card of the same suit or the same rank as the top card.
- The 8 is wild: it can be played on anything, and its owner names the suit that follows.
- The 2 makes the next player draw two cards, the Ace makes them miss their turn, the Jack reverses the direction of play.
- With no playable card, you draw until you find one, or you pass, depending on the convention chosen.
Scoring
Court cards 10, Ace 20, The 8 is worth 50
- The winner of the round collects the value of the cards left in the other players' hands.
- Number cards: their face value. Court cards: 10. The 8 is worth 50 points.
- The Ace is worth 20 when it makes a player miss a turn, as here; it is only worth 1 in versions where it has no power.
End of the game
Last card played, 200 points
- The round ends when a player plays their last card.
- The game is played to 200 cumulative points, or over an agreed number of rounds.
House rules and pitfalls
It is the direct ancestor of Uno, and can be played with any standard deck of cards.
- It is the direct ancestor of Uno, and can be played with any standard deck of cards.
- Mao is a variant where the extra rules are never stated: you discover them by being penalised.
never played?Aim of the game and full rules10 chapters · about 3 min read
Goal of the game
Be the first to play all your cards. On your turn, you cover the top card of the discard pile with a card of the same suit or the same rank. A few cards have an effect: the 8 changes the suit, the 2 makes a player draw, the Ace makes a player miss a turn, the Jack reverses the direction. Whoever empties their hand collects the value of the cards left with the others. It is the ancestor of Uno, with an ordinary deck.
What you need
A 52-card deck. Two to five players; beyond that, shuffle two decks together.
Setting up
- Shuffle and deal seven cards to each player (five with two players, at some tables).
- Place the rest face down in the middle: this is the stock.
- Turn the top card of the stock face up next to it: this starts the discard pile. If it is an 8, put it back in the stock and turn over another.
- The player to the dealer's left starts; play goes clockwise.
A turn
- Look at the top card of the discard pile, say the 9 of clubs.
- Play one card from your hand on it with the same suit (any club) or the same rank (any 9).
- If you have no playable card, draw one. If it fits, you may play it straight away; otherwise, keep it and your turn ends.
- The next player then plays on the new card.
The special cards
- The 8 (wild): it can be played on any card. Whoever plays it names the suit that must follow, "spades!", and the next player must play a spade or another 8.
- The 2: the next player draws two cards and does not play. If they have a 2 themselves, they can play it to pass the penalty on, which rises to four cards for the following player. It is the only way to escape it.
- The Ace: the next player misses their turn.
- The Jack: the direction of play reverses. With two players, the player who played it goes again.
for example
Léa plays an 8 on a 5 of diamonds and calls "hearts". Tom has no hearts, but he has an 8: he plays it and calls "spades". Sam plays the 2 of spades: Léa must draw two cards and misses her turn.
Announcing your last card
When you play your second-to-last card, you say "last card!". If another player notices you forgot before the next player has played, you draw two penalty cards.
When the stock runs out
Keep the top card of the discard pile, shuffle the rest, and turn it over to form a new stock.
Counting points
The round ends as soon as a player plays their last card. They collect the value of the cards left in the others' hands:
- cards from 2 to 10 are worth their face value;
- court cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 10;
- the Ace is worth 20, since it makes a player miss a turn;
- the 8 is worth 50: keeping a wild card in hand is costly.
for example
Léa goes out. Tom is left with an 8 and a King (50 + 10), Sam with a 3 and an Ace (3 + 20). Léa scores 83 points.
End of the game
Rounds are played until a player reaches 200 points: they win. You can also agree on a number of rounds, and the best total wins.
Tips for beginners
- Keep your 8s to get out of a tight spot, but do not end the round holding them: they are worth 50.
- Change the suit to the one you hold most of.
- Watch the player down to one or two cards: a well-timed 2 or Ace holds them back.
Going further
Frequently asked questions · In the same family
Frequently asked questions
Is it the same game as Uno?
The principle, yes: get rid of your cards by playing one of the same suit or the same rank. But you play with a standard 52-card deck, and certain cards carry the effects.
Which cards have an effect?
The 8 changes the suit called (the wild card of the game). The 2 makes the next player draw two cards; they can pass the penalty on with their own 2. The Ace makes a player miss a turn, the Jack reverses the direction. Some tables give the draw effect to the 7 rather than the 2: agree on it before you start.
Do you have to announce your last card?
Yes, as in Uno: you say "last card" (or "uno") as you play your second-to-last card, or you draw a penalty if someone else notices.
What do you do if you cannot play?
You draw a card. Depending on the variant, you play it if it fits, or play passes straight to the next player.
How do you win?
The first player with no cards left wins the round. You can play several rounds, scoring the points of the cards left in the other players' hands.