Uno Cards Game Online

UNO is a fun card game played by millions of people worldwide. Even if you’ve played before, getting a quick refresher is always good. We’ve compiled the basic rules, answers to common questions, and fun house rules to make your game even more exciting.

What Is the UNO Card Game?

Uno, known as UNO, is an American proprietary shedding card game. The name means ‘one’ in Spanish and Italian. It was first created in Reading, Ohio, by Merle Robbins. At that time, Reading was home to International Games Inc., which Mattel later bought. 

Uno is a popular multiplayer card game played with a unique deck. The game is based on the crazy eight. The objective is to be the first player to discard all your cards. Various versions have been launched since the game’s inception. You can even make your house rules.

The Objective

The primary objective in UNO online is to be the first player to discard all your cards. Before discarding your last card, the player must shout 'UNO'. If you're playing multiple rounds/games, the winner will be decided based on the scores.

History

Uno, based on Crazy Eight, was invented in 1971. Merle Robbins, the inventor of the game, was arguing with his son over the Crazy Eight game in his barber shop when the idea of UNO popped up. At first, he enjoyed playing the game with his family; later, he invited some friends, and they wanted the game too. After that, along with his family members, he collected $8000 and manufactured 5000 copies of the game.

He started selling the game from his shop and later sold the rights to a Joliet, Illinois, game maker for $50,000 and 10% of the game sold royalties.

Later 1990, Mattel, the famous children’s toy manufacturer, bought the game. Since then, it has been popular and played at almost all friends and family gatherings.

Uno Rules

Millions of people worldwide play UNO, but few know how to play or its rules. We have compiled a list of the UNO game rules.

Deal the UNO cards

The game begins when everyone gets seven cards dealt face down. The remaining cards are placed in a draw pile face down. To start the game, the pile's top card is flipped and kept aside to create a discard pile.

There are 108 cards, 25 for each colour: Green, yellow, blue, and red.

Match your cards to the discard pile

To start the game, you can choose either the player to the dealer's left or the youngest. When it's your turn, check the top card of the discard pile and see if any of your cards are playable. You can play a card that matches the colour or the number of the top card.

If you don’t have any cards to play, you must draw cards from the draw pile, or if you have a wild card, you can play that. The aim is to be the first player to eliminate all the cards.

UNO card meanings

Apart from the numbered cards, a few cards have no numbers. These cards are called wild cards and can help you win.

• UNO reverse card: This card reverses the game’s direction.
• UNO Skip card: This card skips the next player’s turn.
• Draw 2 Card: A draw two card forces the next player to pick two cards from the draw pile.
• Wild Card: The card has only four colours, which allows you to pick and change the colour of the ongoing card.
• Draw four cards:  A draw four card forces the next player to pick four cards from the draw pile.

How to win UNO

When left with one card, you must shout UNO before the game moves to the next player. If you don’t shout and another player catches you, you must pick four cards from the draw pile.

House Rules

If you are the first player to get rid of all your cards, you earn points for the cards in other players’ hands. Here’s the worth of each card:

• Number cards - Equal to their face value.
• Draw 2 - 20 points.
• Reverse - 20 points.
• Skip - 20 points.
• Wild card - 50 points.
• Wild card draw 4 - 50 points.

The player who reaches 500 points first wins.

How to Setup UNO Card Game

Here are specific rules you need to know before setting up a table for UNO:

• Every player will draw a card from the deck, and the player with the highest value card will become the dealer.
• If any player draws a wild card or a particular card, it must be returned to the deck, and the player must draw a new one. Lastly, if two players have the same value card, both cards should be returned to the deck, and new cards should be drawn.
• The dealer will then shuffle the deck, giving every player seven cards.
• The remaining cards should be kept face down to create a draw pile, and the top card should be taken to create a separate discard pile. If the top card turns out to be a wild card, the same must be returned to the deck, and a new card should be drawn.
• The player present on the immediate left side of the dealer will start the game so that the game proceeds in a clockwise direction.

How To Play UNO Card Game?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to playing UNO:

Dealing

• You can decide the number of players before playing the game. The objective is to be the first player to discard all your cards.
• Each player gets seven cards, but the number of cards can differ depending on the number of players playing.

Playing

• You play UNO by placing a card of a matched colour or number. For example, if the card in the middle is Yellow 6, you can put any yellow card or card with the number 6.
• If you cannot match either, you will draw a card. If the card you draw matches the requirement, you will play it or add it to your pile.
• You can even play any wild card, such as Wild 4.

Remember to Call UNO

When you are left with only two cards, remember to yell UNO before discarding the second last card, or you will face a penalty and will have to pick two cards.

The Special Cards

UNO Variations

There are many variations in UNO, such as Elimination UNO, Speed UNO, and Pirate UNO. Mattel released another variation called Spin-Off. The game is differentiated primarily by the centre row of the discarded pile. Here, you can only discard the pairs that add up to the sum of a card on the top.

Elimination UNO

The elimination of UNO follows the standard rules of UNO. In elimination uno, the game does not end when someone plays their last card; instead, the player responsible for allowing that player to go out is eliminated. Let’s say you are player B the last playing you play the previous card, and then you will eliminate player B.

Speed UNO

Speed Uno follows the same rules as standard Uno. However, if you have the same card as the one lying at the top of the pile, you can play it before the next player plays their card, and then the game continues from you.

Pirate UNO

The pirate UNO is often called the draw cards stack, meaning you play a draw card on another draw card, and the effects of the cards are added. When a seven of any colour is played, the player of seven may switch hands with whomever they wished to.

The Scoring System

When a player gets rid of all the available cards in their hands, they will get points based on the cards left in their opponents' hands. The scoring system, when playing UNO online, is as follows:

The player who reaches 500 points first will win the game.

UNO Game Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks to win the Uno card game:

Understand the Cards

Before playing, understand the different types of cards and their effects. You should know Skip, reverse, draw twos, and wild cards.

Save Wild Cards

Hold onto the wild cards as long as possible. They can change the colour to your advantage and even force your opponent into drawing cards.

Strategic Play

Pay attention to your opponents and the cards they are discarding. This may help you analyse their move, and you can develop strategies to win, such as holding cards that can be used later.

Use Action cards wisely

Play cards like reverse and skip strategically. This will help you control the game and avoid drawing yourself.

Time Your Challenge

Sometimes, players hide their cards to avoid the penalty of not shouting UNO or trick you into thinking they are left with only one card. If you suspect your opponent has only one card, challenge them.

UNO vs. Poker

Frequently Asked Questions

What are four colours of UNO cards?

Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue.

How many cards do you pick up if you don't say UNO?

If you don’t say UNO, you must draw two cards.

Can you end on a wild card?

Yes. You can end on a wild card.

Do you pick up a card every time in UNO?

No. You don’t pick a card every time in UNO. You only draw a card if you cannot play a card from your hand that matches the top card on the pile.

Can you play two identical cards at once in UNO?

No. Uno rules forbid you from playing two identical cards at once.

Can you hold a wild card in UNO?

Yes, you can hold and play a wild card in UNO.

How to play uno online?

To play UNO online, pick a platform or a mobile app and start playing.

Conclusion

As mentioned above, UNO is a fun card game to play online. The simplicity of the game makes it popular. The game is even popular at family gatherings and festivals. What are you waiting for? You’ve just learnt the rules and the gameplay; now, gather your friends and family and enjoy a game or two.