Uno is a classic card game, loved by people of all ages for its simplicity and fun. However, over time, some “homemade” rules and variations have crept onto the gaming tables, creating confusion about what the real rules are. In this article, we'll clarify the official rules of Uno and demystify some common beliefs.
Fundamental Rules of the One
- Game Objective: Be the first player to get rid of all their cards.
- Distribution of cards: Each player receives 7 cards at the start of the game.
- Playing Cards: Players must match the top card of the discard pile by color, number or symbol.
- Action Cards:
- +2: The next player draws two cards and loses a turn.
- Invert: Reverse the order of play.
- Skip: The next player loses a turn.
- Joker: The player chooses the color that will continue the round.
- +4 (Joker): The player chooses the color and the next player draws four cards and loses their turn.
- "Uno!": The player must announce “Uno!” when they only have one card in their hand. If they don't and are caught, they must draw two cards.
- Game over: The game ends when a player gets rid of all his cards. The points from the remaining cards in the hands of the other players are added up and awarded to the winner of the round.
What is not allowed?
See below what is not allowed in official matches and in the official uno rules:
- You can't stack +2 or +4 cards: Playing a +2 on top of a +2 or a +4 on top of a +4 is not allowed. The official rule requires the next player to draw cards and pass the turn.
- You can't play a card out of turn: Each player must wait their turn to play a card. Playing out of turn is against the rules.
- You cannot change the color of a Wild card once it has been played: When you play a Wild card, you must choose a new color, and you can't change that choice afterwards.
- You can't use a wild card to change the color without justification: You must announce the color you are choosing when you play a Wild card.
- You can't play a card if it doesn't match the number or color of the card on top of the pile: The card you play must match the number or color of the card on top of the discard pile, unless it is a wild card.
- You can't talk during other players' turns: Official rules do not allow players to talk or comment on each other's moves during their turns, except to announce “Uno” when there is only one card left.
- You can't draw a card that has already been played: Once a card is placed on the discard pile, it cannot be removed for later use.
- You can't change the deck of cards: Changing the deck with unofficial cards or adding unauthorized cards is not allowed.
Common Myths and False Rules
Although it's fun to add homemade variations, it's important to remember that they are not part of the official rules and can lead to confusion. Below we'll take a look at some of the common home-made rules that often lead to confusion and fights:
Stack +2 and +4: False – A player can only play a +2 or +4 if they have the corresponding card in their hand. It is not allowed to stack them to increase the number of cards the next player must draw.
Play +4 at any time: False – The +4 can only be played if the player has no other cards in their hand that match the color or number of the top card of the discard pile.
Interrupt the game with a Joker: False – The Joker cannot be used to interrupt a +2 or +4 sequence.
“Uno!” before your turn: False – The “Uno!” can only be announced on your turn, before discarding your penultimate card.
Reverse on +2 or +4 – Some players allow a Reverse card to be played on top of a +2 or +4, reversing the direction of the game and forcing the previous player to draw cards.
7-0″: When someone plays a 7, all players exchange hands in the direction chosen by the player of the 7. When a 0 is played, all players pass their hands to the next player in the direction of play.
Keep quiet: In some home versions of Uno, players cannot speak during certain parts of the game, such as when playing a special card.
Slap your hand: This house rule involves players slapping their hand on the discard pile or the table when a specific card is played.
Buy until you play
- False Rule: If a player doesn't have a playable card, they must keep drawing cards until they find one they can play.
- Official Rule: In the official rules, a player only needs to draw one card, and if they can't play it, they pass.
A must-have color
- False Rule: If a player plays a Wild card (other than +4), he must play it in the color he already has in his hand.
- Official Rule: In the official rules, the player can choose any color when playing a Wild card.
Conclusion
In other words, if you're fighting during a game of Uno to say that a rule doesn't exist, you're probably right! Unfortunately, those who try to be fair end up being labeled as boring.
Share it with your troublemaker friend who likes to make up rules on the Uno, so he never does it again! Deal?
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