Posted: 2 weeks ago, last updated 3 days ago.
Author: Rob Prior, @GeekDadGamer and Jo Robertson.
Overview
Uno is a sequencing game where you race to get rid of your cards. You play by adding cards of the same number or colour to a shared pile. It's fast paced, has simple rules and almost universal appeal. The fun really starts when you invent your own house rules to add some nuance and spice to proceedings.
You play by playing cards on to a shared pile, matching either numbers, symbols or colours to what has just been played. If you can't go, then you either play a Wild card or have to draw another card to add your hand. The Wild cards can change the colour make the next person draw two or four cards.
As you play, your hand of cards gets smaller and smaller until you only have one card left. At this point, you have to say Uno before someone catches you or you have to take an extra card as punishment. The first player to discard all of their cards is the winner.
What starts as a simple matching game, quickly becomes a frantic dog-eat-dog race to the end, where you have to get rid of all your cards whilst trying your best to stop all your opponents from doing the same. It is the simplicity of play that makes this game so enjoyable. Everybody can easily understand the rules and as soon as they do you can begin to invent your own family rules, leading to all manner of silliness and fun. (Like one family who has a rule where you can jump in out of turn if you have a card that exactly matches the one just played and you can play with two decks if you want.)
You play by playing cards on to a shared pile, matching either numbers, symbols or colours to what has just been played. If you can't go, then you either play a Wild card or have to draw another card to add your hand. The Wild cards can change the colour make the next person draw two or four cards.
As you play, your hand of cards gets smaller and smaller until you only have one card left. At this point, you have to say Uno before someone catches you or you have to take an extra card as punishment. The first player to discard all of their cards is the winner.
What starts as a simple matching game, quickly becomes a frantic dog-eat-dog race to the end, where you have to get rid of all your cards whilst trying your best to stop all your opponents from doing the same. It is the simplicity of play that makes this game so enjoyable. Everybody can easily understand the rules and as soon as they do you can begin to invent your own family rules, leading to all manner of silliness and fun. (Like one family who has a rule where you can jump in out of turn if you have a card that exactly matches the one just played and you can play with two decks if you want.)
Duration
Learn to Play: This takes 3 minutes to learn. The rules of this game are very simple, so the only complexity comes from understanding the Wild and Special cards and how and when to use them.
The first time you play it's worth trying the following:
Play Time: This game will take between 10 minutes and half an hour to complete.
The first time you play it's worth trying the following:
- Look at all the Special and Wild cards and explain to players when they can be used.
- Play a practise round open handed, so you can help each other to play.
Play Time: This game will take between 10 minutes and half an hour to complete.
Play Style
You can play with 2 to 10 players in the same room. Best with 6-8 players.
You can play this game in the following styles:
Age Ratings
Skill Rating
5-7 year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Younger players need to be able to match numbers, symbols and colours so that they can play the correct cards. They also need to be able to remember the rules for Special and Wild cards.
Content Rating
We rate this suitable for 3+ years-olds.
Accessibility
We haven't documented accessibility features for this game yet. Our Uno Accessibility Report details system-wide settings that may help, and suggests similar games with accessibility features. Tweet the developer (@Mattel) to let them know about our Accessibility Questionnaire.

Board Games Like Uno
Our experts have hand-picked the following board games that offer a similar experience or theme to Uno. These are good alternative games to Uno.
