UNO Card Game: How to Play UNO Card Game, Rules & More

Love card games? Then certainly you would have played UNO. That one is fun to play and an amazing game that is played by all.  Merle Robbins, an American barber, invented the UNO card game in 1971 in Ohio. Uno comes from the Spanish word uno which means “one”. The only aim of this card game is to have a lot of fun and who is going to get rid of their cards first? 

What is UNO Game:

UNO is a popular card game played with a specially designed deck of cards. These cards are of four colours: red, green, yellow and blue each with numbers from 0 to 9, along with special action cards like Skip, Reverse, Draw Two, Draw Four and Wild cards. The game is known for its simple rules and can be enjoyed by players of all ages. The goal of UNO is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards. You’ll need a standard UNO deck, which consists of 108 cards. You need to shuffle the deck and deal 7 cards to each player. Place the remaining deck in the centre as the draw pile, and flip the top card face up to start the discard pile. This game is fun and does not need any major skills. 

How to Play UNO:

• The player to the dealer’s left goes first.
• On your turn, you must match a card from your hand to the top card of the discard pile based on either colour, number, or symbol.
  • If you have a card of the same colour, number, or symbol, you can play it.
  • If not, you must draw a card from the draw pile. If you draw a playable card, you can play it; otherwise, your turn ends.
• After playing a card, you can also use action cards:
  • Skip: Skips the next player’s turn.
  • Reverse: Reverses the direction of play.
  • Draw Two: Forces the next player to draw two cards and skip their turn.
  • Draw Four: Forces the next player to draw four cards in return and skips their turn. 
• If you have only one card left, you must shout “UNO” to alert other players. Failure to do so and getting caught results in drawing two penalty cards.
• The game continues until one player empties their hand. That player wins the round and scores points based on the cards remaining in opponents’ hands:
  • Number cards: Face value (0-9) in points.
  • Action cards (Skip, Reverse, Draw Two): 20 points each.
  • Wild cards (Wild, Wild Draw Four): 50 points each.
• Special Cards:
  • Wild card: Allows you to change the current colour and can be played on any turn.
  • Wild Draw Four: Same as a Wild card, but also forces the next player to draw four cards.

Rules of Uno:

1. Objective of Uno Game:

The goal of UNO is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards. UNO is played with a deck of 108 cards. The deck includes cards in four colors (red, blue, green, and yellow) numbered from 0 to 9, along with special action cards like Skip, Reverse, Draw Two, and Wild cards.

2. Setup of UNO Game:

• Shuffle the deck and deal 7 cards to each player.
• Place the remaining deck face down as the draw pile.
• Flip the top card of the draw pile face up to start the discard pile.

3. Gameplay:

• The player to the dealer’s left goes first.
• On your turn, match a card from your hand to the top card of the discard pile based on colour, number, or symbol.
• If you can’t play a card, draw from the draw pile. If the drawn card is playable, you can play it; otherwise, your turn ends.
• Action cards (Skip, Reverse, Draw Two) can be played at any time, even if you have a playable card.
• If you have only one card left, say “UNO” to alert others. Failure to do so and getting caught results in drawing two penalty cards.
• The game continues clockwise until one player empties their hand.

4. Special Cards:

• Skip: Skips the next player’s turn.
• Reverse: Reverses the direction of play.
• Draw Two: Forces the next player to draw two cards and skip their turn.
• Wild: Allows you to change the current color.
• Wild Draw Four: Same as a Wild card, but also forces the next player to draw four cards.

6. Winning the Round:

The round ends when a player plays their last card. That player wins the round and scores points based on the cards remaining in opponents’ hands:

• Number cards: Face value (0-9) in points.
• Action cards (Skip, Reverse, Draw Two): 20 points each.
• Wild cards (Wild, Wild Draw Four): 50 points each.

7. Winning the Game:

Continue playing rounds until one player reaches a set point total (e.g., 500 points), or play a set number of rounds and determine the winner based on the lowest score.

Why Play UNO Game:

1. Fun and Entertainment:

UNO is a lively and engaging game that can be enjoyed with friends, family, or even strangers. It’s a great way to spend quality time together and have fun.

2. Easy to Learn:

UNO has simple rules and mechanics, making it accessible to players of all ages and skill levels. This makes it a popular choice for parties, gatherings, or casual game nights.

3. Quick Gameplay:

UNO rounds are relatively short, typically lasting around 10-15 minutes. This quick pace allows for multiple games in a short amount of time, keeping players engaged and entertained.

4. Strategy and Tactics:

Despite its simplicity, UNO involves strategic thinking and decision-making. Players must decide which cards to play, when to use action cards, and how to manage their hand effectively.

5. Social Interaction:

UNO encourages interaction among players through its gameplay mechanics, such as reversals, skips, and draw cards. This social aspect adds to the enjoyment of the game.

6. Competition and Challenges:

UNO can be competitive, especially when players are vying to be the first to empty their hands or strategically using action cards to hinder opponents. This competitive element adds excitement and challenge to the game.

7. Customization and Variations:

UNO can be customised with house rules or played with special editions that introduce new cards or twists to the gameplay. This variety keeps the game fresh and interesting over time.

Uno Card Game FAQs

1. How many cards are in a UNO deck?

A UNO deck consists of 108 cards. These cards are divided into four colours (red, blue, green, and yellow) with numbers from 0 to 9, along with special action cards like Skip, Reverse, Draw Two, Draw Four and Wild cards.

2. Can you play a Draw Two card on top of another Draw Two card?

Yes, in UNO, you can play a Draw Two card on top of another Draw Two card. When this happens, the next player must draw four cards (unless they also play a Draw Two card or a Wild Draw Four card).

3. Can you end a round of UNO with an action card (Skip, Reverse, Draw Two, Wild, etc.)?

No, you cannot end a round of UNO with an action card. The game continues until a player plays their last card (a number card, Wild card, or Wild Draw Four card).

4. What happens if you forget to say “UNO” when you have one card left?

If you forget to say “UNO” when you have one card left and another player notices, you must draw two penalty cards as a penalty. However, if you’re not caught by another player before your turn ends, you’re not penalised.

5. Can you play a Wild Draw Four card if you have a playable card in your hand?

In the standard rules of UNO, you can only play a Wild Draw Four card if you don’t have a playable card of the current colour. 

6. Can you stack Draw Two and Wild Draw Four cards?

No, you cannot stack Draw Two and Wild Draw Four cards in UNO. When a Draw Two card is played, the next player must draw two cards and skip their turn. The same applies to a Wild Draw Four card, where the next player must draw four cards and skip their turn.

7. How do you determine the winner of a UNO game?

The winner of a UNO game is usually the first player who gets rid of their card. Points are scored based on the cards remaining in opponents’ hands at the end of each round (number cards: face value, action cards: 20 points, Wild cards: 50 points).