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Official Skip-Bo Rules
Skip-Bo is a fast-paced and exciting card game that is all about speed! Here's how to play:
Objective
Be the first player to play all the cards in your Stock Pile by arranging them in numerical order from 1 to 12.
Setup
Shuffle the Deck: Mix all the cards thoroughly.
Determine the Dealer: Each player draws one card. The player with the highest card becomes the dealer.
Deal the Cards:
For 2–4 players, deal 30 cards to each player.
For 5–6 players, deal 20 cards to each player.
These cards form each player's Stock Pile, which is placed face-down.
Flip the top card of the Stock Pile face up.
4. Create the Draw Pile: Place the remaining cards in the center as the Draw Pile.
5. Prepare the Playing Area:
Leave space for:
Four Building Piles in the center (used to form sequences from 1 to 12).
Four Discard Piles for each player, located near their Stock Pile.
Gameplay
Starting the Game:
Play begins with the player to the left of the dealer.
At the start of your turn, draw five cards from the Draw Pile (or enough to return your hand to five cards).
Making a Play:
Use a 1 or a SKIP-BO card (wild) to start a Building Pile.
Play cards from your hand onto Building Piles in numerical order (1–12). You can also:
Play the top card of your Stock Pile.
Play the top card from any of your Discard Piles.
If you play all five cards from your hand, draw five more and continue your turn.
End your turn by discarding one card from your hand to one of your Discard Piles.
Special Rules for Doubles and Errors:
If you accidentally draw too many cards, shuffle the extras back into your Stock Pile.
If a player plays out of turn and is caught, undo their move and skip their draw during their actual turn.
Team Play:
Partners can play from each other’s Stock and Discard Piles, but verbal communication is restricted. Commands like “Play your 4” are allowed, but no strategy discussions.
Breaking this rule results in a penalty: the offending player must draw two cards from the Draw Pile and add them to their Stock Pile.
Winning a Round
A round ends when a player empties their Stock Pile. Scoring is as follows:
The winner earns 25 points for winning the round, plus 5 points for every card left in other players’ Stock Piles.
Winning the Game
The game ends when a player reaches the predetermined point total (e.g., 500).
Enjoy playing this fast paced, family friendly card game!