Crazy 8 Rules & Guide of How to Play
What is Crazy 8?
Crazy 8 is a card-shedding game, similar to Uno, but played with a standard deck of cards. Players race to play all of their cards before the other players by matching either the suit or the rank (number) of the top card. 8s are wild and can be played on top of any card. Can’t play, you’ll be drawing cards to your hand that slow your progress in being the first to play all their cards.
Objective
The goal of Crazy 8 is to have the lowest point total when any other player reaches 100 points. During individual rounds, players try to “go out” first by playing all the cards in their hand to get zero points for the round, or at least keep their point total low by having fewer, and lower scoring, cards.
Number of Players
Crazy 8 is played with 2-5 players with a single deck of cards. You can play 6-10 players by adding another deck of cards.
Playing time
A game of Crazy 8 lasts multiple rounds and takes about 20 minutes with 2-4 players. Play time increases as you add players. It also varies depending on the rules (e.g. more draw cards will lengthen the game). You can play a single round in about 5 minutes.
What you need / equipment
All you need to play Crazy 8 is a standard 52 card deck of playing cards. Add a second deck of cards for 6-10 players.
Skills
- Math: Number matching (and matching like suits). Addition of numbers, particularly 1-10 during the scoring, and adding numbers up to 100.
- Social Skills: Turn taking and general socials skills from playing games.
Age
Minimum age of Kindergarten +/- 1 year. Need to have basic number recognition skills 1-10.
Why we like Crazy 8 for kids
It’s no wonder Crazy 8 is a popular game, as it’s a slight variation of one of the most popular kids card games, Uno (which is actually based on Crazy 8). The rules are easy to follow, and the game moves quickly. Once kids have the foundation of the standard rules, you can add in additional house rules (cards for skipping, reversing, or drawing; last card declarations, etc) that continue to make the game more fun. Plus, they’re building some good math and social skills while having fun!
How to play Crazy 8
There are many variations of the Crazy Eights game. Below, we’ll outline the standard, baseline game where 8s are the only specialty card. We recommend starting with this version, then mixing in some of the other rules from the variation section below once players have a firm grasp of the game.
1: Gather at least 2 people and a deck of playing cards
You’ll need at least two players and a deck of cards to play Crazy Eights. A single deck of cards works great for 2-5 people, but you should add a second deck of cards for 6-10 players.
2: Determine who goes first
To determine who will be the dealer, shuffle the deck and have each player draw one card randomly from the deck. The player with the lowest card is the dealer (Ace is low). The player to the left of the dealer will play first. You can also use any other method to determine the dealer (highest card drawn, rock-paper-scissors, etc).
3: Set up the game by dealing 5 cards to each player
The dealer will shuffle the deck of cards, then deal 5 cards face down to each player. Players can look at their cards, but should not reveal their hand to other players. The remaining cards are placed face down in a pile in the middle of the table, then the top card is flipped over to begin play.
Note: if the first card flipped is an 8, which is wild, it should be reinserted randomly into the middle of the draw deck and another card is drawn.
4: Play the first turn
The player to the left of the dealer players first by playing a card on top of the discard pile. There are only 3 ways a player can play a card:
- Match the rank (number value): So if the up-card that was flipped over to begin play is a 3 of clubs, the player can play a 3 of a different suit.
- Match the suit: If the up-card is 3 of clubs, the player can play any other card that’s a club.
- Play an 8 (wild card): An eight of any suit can be played on top of any up-card, regardless of suit or rank.
If a player is unable to play, they draw a card from the draw deck, and:
- If the card they draw is playable, then can play it right away and their turn is over
- If the card they draw is NOT playable, they continue to draw until they get a playable card (and play it), or until a maximum of 3 cards have been drawn during this turn, and their turn ends.
5: Play continues clockwise
The next player plays their turn in the same fashion. They must play a matching suit, rank (number), or play a wild card 8. If they are unable to play, they will draw cards, up to 3 maximum, and play if they are able to.
6: End the round after 1 player played all cards and score the round
A round ends when the first player plays their last card.
At that point, each player adds their score to a score sheet. The player who played all of their cards gets zero points. All other players score all of the cards in their hands as follows.
Crazy Eights Scoring
- 8 = 50 (a big punishment for getting caught with the wild card in your hand)
- Face (J, Q, K) = 10
- 2-10 = face value, except for the 8 (see above)
- Ace = 1
7: Play the next rounds
The next round begins and the dealer rotate clockwise and the steps above are repeated. Continue playing rounds until 100 points are scored by any player.
8: End play and declare a winner when 100 points scored
Once any player has scored 100 points, the game ends.
The player with the fewest point total wins.
Crazy Eights Video Tutorial
Crazy 8 Rules
Note: This version is the standard game where 8s are the only special card. See the variations section for addition options.
- Eights are wild and can play on top of any card. The player who played the 8 gets to determine what suit will be played after the 8.
- If an 8 is flipped over as the first card, flip another card and put 8 back randomly in the middle of the deck. Repeat the process if the next card is 8.
- Draw a maximum of 3 cards if you can’t play during your turn. Once you’ve drawn 3 cards, your turn is over and play continues clockwise.
- If, when drawing, a card is playable, play it immediately, don’t draw more card, and end your turn
- If the draw deck runs out, it is not reshuffled. If a player is unable to play and there is no draw deck, they must pass. If no players can play, the game ends. All players score whatever points they hold in their hand.
Crazy 8 variations
There are lots of variations of Crazy Eights. Many of the house rule additions attempt to add in elements of UNO.
Last card declaration
The most common variation of the game is that a player must declare “last card” on their turn when playing their second to last card. If they don’t declare “last card,” any opponent can say “last card” anytime between when the player’s second to last card touches the discard pile and the time the next player either plays a card or draws a card. If the player is caught on the last card declaration rule, they must draw This rule adds a lot of excitement!
Additional specialty cards
Many house rules add additional specialty cards to make it more similar to Uno. These specialty cards aren’t wild like 8s, they must match either the suit or rank (number) of the previously played cards. Here are the most common specialty cards:
- Skip: Playing this card skips the next players turn. Most commonly played as the Queen. Alternatively, we’ve seen some house rules where the Jack is the skip card.
- Reverse: Playing this card reverses the direction of the game. So if play is moving clockwise and a reverse card is played, play would shift to play to the right and continue counterclockwise. The most common reverse card are the Aces.
- Draw: Playing this card forces the next player to draw cards before playing their turn. The most common draw card are the 2s, and the next player draws 2 cards. Some house rules have the 4s forcing a draw of 4 cards.
Other specialty card options
Specialty cards vary widely in different house rules, but generally fall into the skip, reverse, or draw categories. Some house rules add the two Jokers into the deck as “draw 6.” Others use the Aces as draw cards, or have the face cards act as different specialty cards in the skip, reverse, or draw categories. For example, we’ve seen the Queen of Spades as a “draw 5” card, etc.
Increase starting card numbers
Many house rules will add 2 extra cards, for a total of 7 cards instead of 5. Some house rules only add the additional cards if there are fewer players (e.g. fewer than 3), while others have any amount of players starting with more cards. Note: adding more cards generally lengthens the game.
Increase draw card max to 5 cards
Some house rules have players that can’t play during their turn draw up to 5 cards maximum, instead of 3 maximum. This is fine, but it will lengthen the game.
Multiple card play
Some house rules allow you to play multiple cards of the same rank (number) at the same time. For example, if you had two 5s, you could play both of those cards in a single turn.
Crazy 8 FAQs
When was crazy eights invented?
The exact origins of the Crazy Eights game are unknown, but it is believed that it was created in the 1930s and then named in the 1940.
Why is it called Crazy 8?
It is believed that the name Crazy 8s is derived from the military term “Section 8,” which is a type of discharge from the US military when a person is found to be mentally unfit to serve.
Is there a strategy to crazy 8?
Crazy 8 is a game of both luck and strategy. Drawing good cards certainly helps. But the strategy of how you play the cards also impacts the outcome of the game. For example:
- Playing high cards first: Getting caught with high cards in your hand hurts your chances of winning, so play those first.
- Paying attention to what has been played: You know the cards you hold and the cards that have already been played. So you may know that it’s unlikely another player will be able to play a certain suit and can play those.
- Additional special cards: One of the reasons that some house rules add specialty cards that force a skip, reverse, or draw is that it adds more strategy. You can choose when to use these specialty cards based on how well other players are doing and their position, as well as holding them for certain parts of the game.
How many cards do you get in crazy eights?
The most common version of crazy eights has each player being dealt 5 cards to start the game. Other variations play with 7 cards to start. Sometimes the 7 cards are used only when playing with 2 players. Other times it’s for any number of players.
Throughout the game, the number of cards in their hands will fluctuate as they play and draw cards on various turns.
Do you pick up 2 in Crazy 8?
The “draw 2” is a special rule variation in Crazy Eights and is usually designated by the card number 2. If this rule is in place, the player whose turn it is after the 2 is played draws 2 cards before playing. Some variations also include a specialty card for “draw 4,” which is usually designated with the the 4s. However, in a standard game of Crazy 8, the 2 is not a “draw 2” special card.
Also, when drawing cards when you’re unable to play, you pick up one card at a time, with a maximum of three cards drawn. If, while drawing, you draw a card that is playable, you play that card immediately, don’t draw any more cards, your turn is over, and the next player plays. Some variations of Crazy 8 have players draw a maximum of up to 5 cards when unable to play.
Can you put down multiple cards in crazy 8s?
There is a rules variation for Crazy Eights that allow for multiple cards to be put down in one turn that we call the “matching numbers rule.” With this rule, if you have multiples of a number in your hand, you may play them in a single turn. For example, if a 5 is played right before your turn, and you have two 5s in your hand, you may play both 5s.
However, in the standard version of Crazy Eights, you may not put down multiple cards in one turn. Players play one card at a time during their turn.
Note: In the variations of the game that include “skip” and “reverse” specialty cards, it’s possible to play multiple rounds in a row without the other playing. While you’re not actually laying down multiple cards in a single turn, you are playing back-to-back turns when playing skip or reverse cards cards. So you can string together multiple turns in a row without the other player having a chance to play.
What are the closing rules for Crazy 8? What is the rule for calling last card in Crazy 8?
The most common variation of the game includes a rule that the last card must be declared, and if not, the player must draw 2 cards.
Note: In the standard version of Crazy 8, there are no special closing rules for playing or calling the last card.
Here is how the “last card” rule works, if part of your game:
When the last card declaration rule variation rule is being played:
- A player must say “last card” during their turn when they are playing their second to last card
- If they don’t declare, any opponent may say last card any time AFTER their second to last card touches the draw pile and BEFORE the next player plays their turn by either playing a card or drawing a card.
- If the player has already played their second to last card and they then remember, they can still declare “last card,” as long as it is before an opponent.
- The caught player must draw 2 more cards from the draw deck
What are the rules for jacks in Crazy 8?
In the standard game of Crazy 8, the Jack doesn’t have any special significance. In some variations of the game, the Jack is used as a “Skip” card and the next players turn is skipped when played. In this variation, the Jack isn’t “wild” like an 8 (which can be played on top of any card). It must be played on top of a card of a matching suit or rank. In terms of points, the Jack, like all face cards, scores 10 points when caught in your hand at the end of the game.
What does the Queen of Spades do in Crazy Eights?
Some house rules play that the Queen of Spades is a “draw 5” specialty card, but must still be played on top of either a matching suit (spade) or rank (queen). However, in a standard game of Crazy 8, the Queen of Spades doesn’t have any special attributes. In both versions, any queen will score 10 points, like all of the face cards.
What does K mean in Crazy 8?
In a standard game of Crazy 8, the king doesn’t have any special attributes. Also, in most variations, the King still doesn’t have special attributes, but some house rules play with the King as a specialty card (draw, skip, or reverse). In all versions, the King scores 10 points when caught in your hand at the end of a round.
What does Ace mean in Crazy 8?
In some variations of Crazy 8, the Ace is a “reverse” card and play shifts directions. However, in a standard game of Crazy 8, the Ace doesn’t have any special attributes. In both versions of the game, the Ace is the lowest scoring card, at 1, when caught in your hand at the end of round.
