Crazy Eights Card Game
Crazy Eights is a card game played by two or more players. It is played using a standard deck of cards or a specialty deck designed just for this game. It is a good interactive game that helps kids practice comparison and strategy. We have played this game with children as young as 5 with great success.
Object of the Game
The objective is to be the first player to get rid of all of their cards.
What You'll Need
A standard deck of playing cards or a deck of cards designed for playing Crazy Eights.
Setting Up Crazy Eights
Shuffle the cards.
Deal 5 cards to each player. If there are only two players deal them 7 cards each. The remaining cards are placed in a stack face down. The top card from the stack is placed face up next to the stack, starting the discard pile. This card is the first card played in the game. Play starts with the player to the left of the dealer and continues clockwise. If younger children are playing you can start with the youngest player and then continue clockwise.
Playing the Game
The first player looks at their hand and determines whether or not they have a card that matches the rank, suit, or color of the top card on the discard pile. For example, if the top card on the discard pile is a red 7 of hearts the player can play either a red, a 7, or a hearts card. If they do not have a playable card in their hand they draw one from the deck and it becomes the next players turn.
The exception to this is that EIGHTS ARE CRAZY! They can be played on any card of any suit, value, or color and the person who plays the eight gets to decide what the new suit will be.
Winning the Game
The first player to get rid of all their cards is the winner and the other players score penalty points based on the cards they have left in their hands. An eight is worth 20. Face cards are worth 10 and all others are worth face value (7 for a 7, 1 for and Ace).
Variations
Crazy Eights like so many classic card games have instructions with many variations. These instructions are the ones we use and may be slightly different than yours. If you have a variation or fun twist to the game that you would like to share please contact us so that we may add them.
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