Crazy Eights
Have you played crazy eights? This article will give you instructions on how to play this fun card game. This card game is similar to Mau Mau and Switch. It’s a popular game enjoyed by both young and old alike.
The Origin of the Name of the Game
The name is thought to have come from the 1940’s, when the name “crazy eights” referred to the military designation of discharge for mentally unstable soldiers during the Second World War.
How to play Crazy Eights
To play the game you need a standard 52 card deck (no jokers). The game can be played with 2 to 5 players, if there are 6 or more players, 2 decks of cards can be used. The crazy eights card game is a shedding type card game. The goal is to be the first player to get rid of all of your cards. Each player is dealt eight cards. The remaining cards are set face down on the center. Flip the top card over to start the discard pile. Players have to match the top card’s number or suit. All of the eights in the deck are wild and can be played on top of any number or suite. Game play starts with the player on the left of the dealer. If a player cannot match either the number or suite and doesn’t have an eight, they must draw one card from the stockpile and play moves to the next player. If you have a card that can be played you must play that card. Part of the crazy eights rules is that when you play an eight you also designate the suite you want it to be. The next player then matches the new suit, or plays an eight to change the suite. The length of time needed to play varies.
Some Variations of the Game
As with most card games, a crazy eights card game has many variations in terms of rules. An example of these variations in rules is when a player is required to keep drawing from the stock pile until a usable card is drawn. Some reshuffle the deck when the draw pile is exhausted; others just finish game play, skipping your turn if you don’t have a playable card. Some allow the drawn card to be played immediately, others say your turn is over if you have to pick up a card from the stock. One popular rule is to make the players announce when they only have one card left, forgetting to do so results in picking up two cards from the draw pile. Just make sure the rules are clear before starting the game.
Crazy Eight Versions
There are also many versions of the game. There are the Canadian rules, the solitaire-crazy eights rules, the special action cards, the crazy eights countdown and the naked eights. These are all versions with similar but slightly different rules to follow. Again, it will depend on the preference of the players and if everybody knows how to play by the rules of the version chosen.
A Card Game for Everybody
Crazy Eights is a popular card games for kids. It can be a fun way to teach them about numbers, point systems and suits. Together with go fish and old maid, crazy eights is among the most popular card games for kids.