How To Play Skip Bo
Skip Bo Game Rules (PDF Instructions)
2 - 6
Players
7+
Ages
45 MIN
Play Time
$10
Price
Skip Bo is a simple card game with colorful cards and large numbers ranging from 1 to 12. Skip Bo players are dealt a handful of cards and try to be the first to organize their hand in numerical order starting with 1 through 12.
While playing Skip Bo, it's the luck of the draw. The theory seems simple but can result a game full of strategy and tactful moves. Skip Bo is easy to learn how to play and extremely portable. Try playing Skip Bo with your friends.
This game should come with the following components. These are based off of the original game and don't include components from any expansion packs or different editions. Depeding how when your game was released, it might contain slightly different items than those listed below.While playing Skip Bo, it's the luck of the draw. The theory seems simple but can result a game full of strategy and tactful moves. Skip Bo is easy to learn how to play and extremely portable. Try playing Skip Bo with your friends.
- In Skip Bo You Should Have A Deck With 144 Cards Numbered 1 Through 12 Plus 18 Skip Bo Cards For A Total Of 162 The Skip Bo Game Rules And Instructions Are Also Included
Be the first player to play all the cards in your stock pile by playing cards in numerical order, 1 through 12.
Please keep in mind that the official Skip Bo PDF rules listed below could be different depending on the game version you have. These instructions are some of the exact directions that came in the original packaging and will teach you how to play. Download them to view now or print them for later use. No need to worry if you've lost your copy or if you need a quick refresher course.
Share with us your comments, funny stories, tips, advice, strategies, creative ways to play, questions about playing, problems with the directions or anything you want about Skip Bo. All submissions will be reviewed within 24 hours.
cheryl says:
There should be a limit on how many skipbo cards you can save on your discard pile or how many you can use. I have played against someone who just saves skipbo cards. No way to win like this.
02-03-2023
There should be a limit on how many skipbo cards you can save on your discard pile or how many you can use. I have played against someone who just saves skipbo cards. No way to win like this.
Jane S says:
Can I place a skipbo wild card on my discard pile? Also can a skipbo wild card taken from my stock pile be kept in my hand to play later when needed?
12-03-2020
Can I place a skipbo wild card on my discard pile? Also can a skipbo wild card taken from my stock pile be kept in my hand to play later when needed?
Jean says:
Can I change a card I layed down during my turn. No discard made yet
09-17-2019
Can I change a card I layed down during my turn. No discard made yet
Patricia S says:
Can you discard a Skip-bo card? Should you have to assign it a number or leave it as a wild card?
01-04-2019
Can you discard a Skip-bo card? Should you have to assign it a number or leave it as a wild card?
Shirley says:
What happens if a person only draws 3 cards instead of five and they play all 3? Do they get to draw 5 more?
08-11-2018
What happens if a person only draws 3 cards instead of five and they play all 3? Do they get to draw 5 more?
Arlette says:
on the discard piles, does there have to be 4 piles down before you can start laying cards on top of them
01-01-2018
on the discard piles, does there have to be 4 piles down before you can start laying cards on top of them
shirley says:
Do you have to play your skip-do card as soon as you get it. or can you wait till you have cards to go with it
12-29-2017
Do you have to play your skip-do card as soon as you get it. or can you wait till you have cards to go with it
Jadon says:
Does a one come before a skip bo or does a skip bo come before a one
05-25-2017
Does a one come before a skip bo or does a skip bo come before a one
Pat says:
Are you not allowed to take cards from the center of the draw pile
01-03-2016
Are you not allowed to take cards from the center of the draw pile
Ruth says:
I would like answers to a few of the above questions. (1) about the discard pile being rearrange during the game. I guess that is the only one. Thank You.
06-22-2014
I would like answers to a few of the above questions. (1) about the discard pile being rearrange during the game. I guess that is the only one. Thank You.
Mike G says:
Can you place a SKIP-BO (Wildcard) in your discard Pile?
04-20-2014
Can you place a SKIP-BO (Wildcard) in your discard Pile?
Veretta says:
Can the discard piles be re-arranged during game?
01-24-2014
Can the discard piles be re-arranged during game?
Connie says:
I would like to know what the rules are regarding changing your mind (say you got distracted and laid down a card from your hand rather than taking it from your stock pile BEFORE discarding and ending your play. I play casually, but some members of my family take this game so seriously!! Thanks
09-17-2013
I would like to know what the rules are regarding changing your mind (say you got distracted and laid down a card from your hand rather than taking it from your stock pile BEFORE discarding and ending your play. I play casually, but some members of my family take this game so seriously!! Thanks
RonetaH says:
You have thirty in one plile but how many do you have in the other
06-18-2011
You have thirty in one plile but how many do you have in the other
jack says:
when playing all your cards in youre hand the last being a discard pile do you draw 5 more cards and keep going or is youre turn over
04-15-2011
when playing all your cards in youre hand the last being a discard pile do you draw 5 more cards and keep going or is youre turn over
Nychelle says:
If you know you are going to win... do you have to pick up more cards from the DRAW PILE first? Or can you just use one of the 1-4 cards and put your winning card from your STOCK PILE?
04-09-2011
If you know you are going to win... do you have to pick up more cards from the DRAW PILE first? Or can you just use one of the 1-4 cards and put your winning card from your STOCK PILE?
mexico says:
I play with a group of people who insist that if you go to place a card on a pile you can not change your mind. If you have not let go of the card it is still clearly in your hand not placed on the pile, but that was your first intention and you changed your mind you must still play the card as first intented. I realize that a card laid is a card played, but the card clearly was not laid yet it was in my hand and the pile was touched by my hand, not in any way was the card released. Do you feel I can take the card back and play it elsewhere?
01-12-2011
I play with a group of people who insist that if you go to place a card on a pile you can not change your mind. If you have not let go of the card it is still clearly in your hand not placed on the pile, but that was your first intention and you changed your mind you must still play the card as first intented. I realize that a card laid is a card played, but the card clearly was not laid yet it was in my hand and the pile was touched by my hand, not in any way was the card released. Do you feel I can take the card back and play it elsewhere?
Kat says:
Question: Do your building piles have to be the same colors? You have to go in sequential order, but the rules say nothing about the colors. I'm sure it's like Uno since it was created by the same makers of Uno... in order & of like color -- right? My dad & I have been making piles in order but of any color... Thanks
12-21-2010
Question: Do your building piles have to be the same colors? You have to go in sequential order, but the rules say nothing about the colors. I'm sure it's like Uno since it was created by the same makers of Uno... in order & of like color -- right? My dad & I have been making piles in order but of any color... Thanks
Pat Felton says:
One group of avid Skip-bo players I know of plays with the personal discard piles face down. You can peek at your own top cards but no one else knows what is there unless of course they can remember. This group is almost militant about this rule and insists that there is no otner way to play. I have played with many different groups, always with the discard piles up and feel that seeing the other players discards is an important and fun part of the game. I would love feedback on this method of play but have written it off to "house rules" although I feel that the face-up discard pile is the way designed in the rules. Pat from Wichita, KS.
11-23-2010
One group of avid Skip-bo players I know of plays with the personal discard piles face down. You can peek at your own top cards but no one else knows what is there unless of course they can remember. This group is almost militant about this rule and insists that there is no otner way to play. I have played with many different groups, always with the discard piles up and feel that seeing the other players discards is an important and fun part of the game. I would love feedback on this method of play but have written it off to "house rules" although I feel that the face-up discard pile is the way designed in the rules. Pat from Wichita, KS.
e says:
Are you allowed to place a SKIP-BO card in your discard pile?
01-21-2010
Are you allowed to place a SKIP-BO card in your discard pile?
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