
Official Five Crowns Rules
How To Play Five Crowns

1 - 7
Players

8+
Ages

10 MIN
Play Time

$10
Price
Five Crowns really elevates your typical deck of cards into something thrilling. While they may look similar to a common poker deck, there's a twist-what makes this game different from others is that an extra star suit creates the name: Five Crowns. Whether solo or with a group of friends, this can become an entertaining solitaire activity, accepting anywhere from one to seven players and thus affording multiple options for player numbers.
To get started with the Five Crowns game rules and instructions, read through all of them below to take part in the activity either by one's self or with others. While the overall game mechanics certainly resemble those more classic card games, there are several twists and turns that actually make strategy significant to your ultimate success and create an element of depth when you play that's a lot of fun.
Have you found any hints or tips that help you master Five Crowns? We'd love to hear your insights in the comments below. If you haven't played yet, give it a try-you might just find yourself hooked on this unique and engaging card game!
To get started with the Five Crowns game rules and instructions, read through all of them below to take part in the activity either by one's self or with others. While the overall game mechanics certainly resemble those more classic card games, there are several twists and turns that actually make strategy significant to your ultimate success and create an element of depth when you play that's a lot of fun.
Have you found any hints or tips that help you master Five Crowns? We'd love to hear your insights in the comments below. If you haven't played yet, give it a try-you might just find yourself hooked on this unique and engaging card game!
- 58-card Decks
- Official Five Crowns Game Rules And Instructions

If you can have the lowest number of points after playing all eleven hands of the game then you'll be the winner.

Game Play: Card values are as follows: each number card holds its face value, Jacks are valued at 11 points, Queens at 12, and Kings at 13. Jokers carry a hefty worth of 50 points, while the current wild card is assessed at 20 points. The wild card designation varies from hand to hand, aligning with the number of cards dealt in each hand. Consequently, when three cards are distributed, the 3s become wild; with four cards dealt, the 4s assume the wild status, continuing in this pattern until the final hand when Kings become wild. Notably, Jokers retain their wild status throughout the game.
A run is defined as a sequence of three or more cards of the same suit, where any card within the run can be substituted by a wild card or Joker. There's no limit to the number of wild cards or Jokers that can be included in a run, and they can even be placed next to each other.
Similarly, a book comprises three or more cards of the same value irrespective of their suit. Like runs, any card within a book can be interchanged with a wild card or Joker. There's also no restriction on the number of wild cards or Jokers allowed in a book, and they can be positioned adjacent to each other as well.
Before each round, all cards from both decks are thoroughly shuffled. In the initial round, three cards are distributed, one at a time, in a clockwise manner, commencing with the individual to the dealer’s left. Subsequently, each subsequent round sees an increment of one card in the distribution; hence, the second round involves four cards, the third round includes five cards, and so forth. In the final round of the game, each player receives thirteen cards. Following each distribution, any remaining cards are consolidated in the center to form a draw pile, with the topmost card being revealed to initiate the discard pile.
The player seated to the left of the dealer takes the first turn, with gameplay proceeding in a clockwise direction. Each turn begins with the option to draw a card from the deck or pick up the top card from the discard pile, followed by discarding one card to conclude the turn. Players are only permitted to lay down their books and/or runs either when they are going out or during their turn after another player has already gone out.
Once a player manages to go out, each remaining player gets one final turn. During their turn, they may draw from the deck or pick up the top discard, then proceed to lay down all their books and/or runs, discard one card, and tally up the points from the cards remaining in their hand. Players cannot add to another player’s books or runs, and only the unused cards in their hand contribute to their point total. The scorekeeper maintains a running tally.
The dealer position rotates to the player on the left after each round, with all cards reshuffled and the subsequent hand dealt. The number of cards dealt increases by one in each successive deal, and the wild card designation changes accordingly. The game progresses until the eleventh hand when Kings become wild, with the player achieving the lowest score emerging as the winner.
If a player can organize all the cards in their hand into books and/or runs, leaving just one card remaining, they can lay down the organized cards and discard the remaining one to go out. This discarded card can be any card that could have been played on the cards already laid down.
Notes:
Solitaire Instructions: Objective is to close out all 11 hands. Arrange 11 piles, with the first pile containing 3 cards, the second 4 cards, and so on, up to the eleventh pile with 13 cards. Each pile represents a hand. Lay out all 11 hands so that all cards are visible. The first pile designates the 3-card hand, where 3s are wild; the second pile signifies the 4-card hand with 4s as wild cards, and so forth. It's important not to transfer cards between hands.
Draw the top card from the deck. Assess all 11 hands and strategically place the drawn card in the hand where it offers the greatest advantage. Discard one card from that hand, which cannot be reused. As hands become eligible to go out (following the standard Five Crowns rules), turn them over. Continue drawing cards from the deck, one at a time, until either all hands are turned over (signifying victory), or the deck is exhausted before all hands are closed (resulting in defeat).
Please keep in mind that the official Five Crowns PDF rules listed below could be different depending on the version you have. They should be an exact copy of what came in your original packaging. Download them to view now or print them for later use.
A run is defined as a sequence of three or more cards of the same suit, where any card within the run can be substituted by a wild card or Joker. There's no limit to the number of wild cards or Jokers that can be included in a run, and they can even be placed next to each other.
Similarly, a book comprises three or more cards of the same value irrespective of their suit. Like runs, any card within a book can be interchanged with a wild card or Joker. There's also no restriction on the number of wild cards or Jokers allowed in a book, and they can be positioned adjacent to each other as well.
Before each round, all cards from both decks are thoroughly shuffled. In the initial round, three cards are distributed, one at a time, in a clockwise manner, commencing with the individual to the dealer’s left. Subsequently, each subsequent round sees an increment of one card in the distribution; hence, the second round involves four cards, the third round includes five cards, and so forth. In the final round of the game, each player receives thirteen cards. Following each distribution, any remaining cards are consolidated in the center to form a draw pile, with the topmost card being revealed to initiate the discard pile.
The player seated to the left of the dealer takes the first turn, with gameplay proceeding in a clockwise direction. Each turn begins with the option to draw a card from the deck or pick up the top card from the discard pile, followed by discarding one card to conclude the turn. Players are only permitted to lay down their books and/or runs either when they are going out or during their turn after another player has already gone out.
Once a player manages to go out, each remaining player gets one final turn. During their turn, they may draw from the deck or pick up the top discard, then proceed to lay down all their books and/or runs, discard one card, and tally up the points from the cards remaining in their hand. Players cannot add to another player’s books or runs, and only the unused cards in their hand contribute to their point total. The scorekeeper maintains a running tally.
The dealer position rotates to the player on the left after each round, with all cards reshuffled and the subsequent hand dealt. The number of cards dealt increases by one in each successive deal, and the wild card designation changes accordingly. The game progresses until the eleventh hand when Kings become wild, with the player achieving the lowest score emerging as the winner.
If a player can organize all the cards in their hand into books and/or runs, leaving just one card remaining, they can lay down the organized cards and discard the remaining one to go out. This discarded card can be any card that could have been played on the cards already laid down.
Notes:
- Stay flexible and keep your strategies open. Even in the final hand, there's room for a comeback—hence our motto: "The game isn’t over until the Kings go wild!®"
- If you're unsure which card serves as the wild card, simply count the number of cards dealt in the hand.
- If you find yourself holding only one wild card or Joker after another player goes out and you're unable to use it, consider discarding it. While this minimizes your losses (since wild cards and Jokers carry hefty point values), it may inadvertently benefit your opponents.
- In the last hand of a game with seven players, if all the remaining cards from the deck are used up, reshuffle the discard pile and use it to replenish the deck. For larger gatherings, combine two games and accommodate up to 14 players.
Solitaire Instructions: Objective is to close out all 11 hands. Arrange 11 piles, with the first pile containing 3 cards, the second 4 cards, and so on, up to the eleventh pile with 13 cards. Each pile represents a hand. Lay out all 11 hands so that all cards are visible. The first pile designates the 3-card hand, where 3s are wild; the second pile signifies the 4-card hand with 4s as wild cards, and so forth. It's important not to transfer cards between hands.
Draw the top card from the deck. Assess all 11 hands and strategically place the drawn card in the hand where it offers the greatest advantage. Discard one card from that hand, which cannot be reused. As hands become eligible to go out (following the standard Five Crowns rules), turn them over. Continue drawing cards from the deck, one at a time, until either all hands are turned over (signifying victory), or the deck is exhausted before all hands are closed (resulting in defeat).
Please keep in mind that the official Five Crowns PDF rules listed below could be different depending on the version you have. They should be an exact copy of what came in your original packaging. Download them to view now or print them for later use.
Share with us your comments, funny stories, tips, advice, strategies, creative ways to play, questions about playing, problems with the directions, etc. All submissions will be reviewed within 24 hours.
Liz says:
If a player inadvertently discards a wild card that he could’ve used during his turn, can any one of the other players grab it out of turn and discard?
07-28-2024
If a player inadvertently discards a wild card that he could’ve used during his turn, can any one of the other players grab it out of turn and discard?
Renee says:
Can you go out in the fifth hand with three of a kind and a pair?
04-07-2022
Can you go out in the fifth hand with three of a kind and a pair?
mathew says:
What happens of 2 or more people tie. Does the amount of hands won have anything to do
08-23-2021
What happens of 2 or more people tie. Does the amount of hands won have anything to do
Bev Jull says:
I love playing 5 CROWNS I am in hospital at present and would love to play just by myself Can’t find the rules for solo play anywhere on line I would so love u to advise me Thanku..Bev
08-18-2021
I love playing 5 CROWNS I am in hospital at present and would love to play just by myself Can’t find the rules for solo play anywhere on line I would so love u to advise me Thanku..Bev
John says:
How few natural cards do you need to play before using a wild card?
08-14-2021
How few natural cards do you need to play before using a wild card?
Kaili says:
When WOULDN’T you be able to use a wild card? Hint 3 on the instructions says “if you have a wild card in your hand that you can’t use - you are allowed to discard it.”
12-30-2020
When WOULDN’T you be able to use a wild card? Hint 3 on the instructions says “if you have a wild card in your hand that you can’t use - you are allowed to discard it.”
Paula says:
Do you have to have 2 natural cards and 1 wild card to make a a 3 card run or set
11-24-2020
Do you have to have 2 natural cards and 1 wild card to make a a 3 card run or set
terry says:
Can anyone pick up a discarded wild card during regular play, or does the next person in turn gets it??
07-14-2020
Can anyone pick up a discarded wild card during regular play, or does the next person in turn gets it??
terry says:
How do I receive an answer to my question?
07-14-2020
How do I receive an answer to my question?
Steve says:
Question on unused cards. Example: Deal number 11 you have to have 2-4 card books or runs and 1- 3 card book or run to go out. With this example your opponent has left in their hand 3- 3 card book and runs but can't complete a 4 card run or book. Does the opponent have to only count the two remaining cards or all 8 remaining cards cause they can't complete any 4 card books or runs?
04-12-2020
Question on unused cards. Example: Deal number 11 you have to have 2-4 card books or runs and 1- 3 card book or run to go out. With this example your opponent has left in their hand 3- 3 card book and runs but can't complete a 4 card run or book. Does the opponent have to only count the two remaining cards or all 8 remaining cards cause they can't complete any 4 card books or runs?
Ya boi says:
What happens of there is a tie at the end of the game?
03-27-2020
What happens of there is a tie at the end of the game?
Ron says:
When can you start the runs
11-16-2019
When can you start the runs
Nina says:
Do you need a discard to go out
10-26-2019
Do you need a discard to go out
Valerie says:
Can you combine books and runs in one hand or is it one or the other?
10-09-2019
Can you combine books and runs in one hand or is it one or the other?
tim says:
how many cards do you get at the start of five crowns?
06-26-2019
how many cards do you get at the start of five crowns?
fran says:
it seems quite a few players have this question. Do you have to have two naturals to use a wild card? We play that you do need two naturals. Thanks.
01-24-2019
it seems quite a few players have this question. Do you have to have two naturals to use a wild card? We play that you do need two naturals. Thanks.
larry says:
what happens if someone only has one card left.
08-27-2018
what happens if someone only has one card left.
Edna says:
What do you do when you have a tied game
05-20-2018
What do you do when you have a tied game
Graham says:
can I combine runs and books ie 5, 6, 7, 7, 6, 5 Long running argument with my wife as she says I cant descend from 7, 6, 5
01-12-2018
can I combine runs and books ie 5, 6, 7, 7, 6, 5 Long running argument with my wife as she says I cant descend from 7, 6, 5
Julie Taylor says:
What happens if there is a tie at the end of a game? Are there two winners or is an extra hand player to determine the winner?
12-31-2017
What happens if there is a tie at the end of a game? Are there two winners or is an extra hand player to determine the winner?
Shirley says:
If someone accidentally discards a wild card who gets that card from the discard pile?
12-17-2017
If someone accidentally discards a wild card who gets that card from the discard pile?
Barry says:
At the end of all rounds played and there is a tie. Who wins or are extra hand(s) played.
11-22-2017
At the end of all rounds played and there is a tie. Who wins or are extra hand(s) played.
Al says:
can I make a play with this run, 2-J of spade, 1-queen of spade and 1-king of spade and can I make a play with this book, 2-ten of hearts, 1-ten of diamonds and 1-ten of spades, also can I play two wild cards with 1-natural card?
10-16-2017
can I make a play with this run, 2-J of spade, 1-queen of spade and 1-king of spade and can I make a play with this book, 2-ten of hearts, 1-ten of diamonds and 1-ten of spades, also can I play two wild cards with 1-natural card?
Lorraine says:
Problem..deals me 3 cards, a joker,a 3(wild card) and a queen. Can I go out with this hand or do I need 2 queens and 1 wild card or 1 joker to go out?
07-09-2017
Problem..deals me 3 cards, a joker,a 3(wild card) and a queen. Can I go out with this hand or do I need 2 queens and 1 wild card or 1 joker to go out?
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