ALL CARD GAMES
INTRODUCTION
This game includes lots of winning. A large slice of luck helps keep the game entertaining for younger players.
HOW TO PLAY GO FISH
Deal 5 cards to each player face down, seven cards if only two players. Players sort their cards into matching numbers.
Player one starts by asking any player at the table if they have a certain card
e.g. "player 2, do you have 4’s ?"
Player two must hand over all of the requested cards e.g. 4♦️, 4♠️ to player one if they have any of that number. If player one was correct they get another turn and can ask any player for any card.
If a player does not have the card they were asked for they say "go fish". The player who asked the question must then pick up a card from the deck. Play restarts with the player to the left of the one who just picked up.
Once a player collects all four of the same cards they form a set e.g. four 4’s. They place the set face down next to them.
If a player has no cards left in their hand, they can pick up five cards from the deck. If there are less than five cards left, they pick up all the cards.
The game continues until all the sets have been made. If a player says "go fish" but there are no cards left in the deck then the game just passes to the next player.
At the end of the game, all players count the number of sets they have collected. The player with the most sets is the winner.
THE DEAL
Deal five cards to each player face down, seven cards if only two players. Players sort their cards into matching numbers.
THE PLAY
Player one starts by asking any player at the table if they have a certain card
e.g. “player 2, do you have 4’s ?”
HOW TO WIN
Collect four of the same card to form a set. The player with the most
sets at the end is the winner.
PLAYER ANSWERS
Player two must hand over all of the requested cards e.g. 4♦️, 4♠️ to player one if they have any of that number. If player one was correct they get another turn and can ask any player for any card.
GO FISH
If a player does not have the card they were asked for they say “go fish”. The player who asked the question must then pick up a card from the deck. Play restarts with the player to the left of the one who just picked up.
COLLECTING SETS
Once a player collects all four of the same cards they form a set e.g. four 4’s. They place the set face down next to them.
NO CARDS LEFT
If a player has no cards left in their hand, they can pick up five cards from the deck. If there are less than five cards left, they pick up all the cards. If there are no cards left, then they wait for the other players to finish playing.
FINISHING THE GAME
The game continues until all the sets have been made. If a player says “go fish” but there are no cards left in the deck then the game just passes to the next player.
ENDING THE GAME
At the end of the game, all players count the number of sets they have collected. The player with the most sets is the winner. A draw is possible.
VIDEO OF HOW TO PLAY GO FISH
TIPS
Plavers can place the sets face down next to them in separate
piles to make it easier to count points at the end.
STRATEGY
Remembering the cards a player just collected allows the next player to ask for them on their turn.
EXTRAS
Add additional rules to make the game more fun. Use one or more of the rules below or make new rules up.
VARIATIONS
Add one or more additional rules for when players can slap:
– Ask for the exact card with the number and suit e.q. “do you have the 4♠️?”
– When there are no cards left in the deck, the game finishes
– Deduct one point for each card left in a player’s hand at the end
– Play with two decks
– Whisper the card you’re asking for so only the player you ask can hear
– Players can only ask the player to their left for a card
– Add jokers to the deck, they can be used for many reasons e.g. everyone passes their hand to the player on their left
– Players only need to collect two of the same number to form a set e.g. 4♦️, 4♠️.
SIMILAR GAMES
- Snap
- Donkey
FAQ
The most common questions will be added here. Scroll to the bottom of the page to add a question or comment about this game.
