Official Skip Bo Rules
How To Play Skip Bo
2 - 6
Players
7+
Ages
45 MIN
Play Time
$10
Price
Skip-Bo is a fast-paced sequencing card game developed by the creators of UNO, wherein players use strategy and skill to create stacks of sequential cards in ascending order: 2, 3, 4, and so on, until they have played all their cards. The game starts with the dealing of cards for each player to his personal stockpile. The players then draw from a central pile to build up to four "build" piles in the center of the playing area.
The goal is to use the cards in your hand and stockpile to play on the build piles in numerical order. On each player's turn, they may play one card from their stockpile, hand, or one of the build piles. A key strategy is figuring out when to play cards to block your opponents and when to advance your own stack.
Skip-Bo also contains special "wild" cards, which break the monotony with the ability to act like any number and are very helpful in situations when you are at a deadlock or need to change the direction of play. Such cards can change the course of events, and making good use of them at the perfect time can make you the first to finish. Be careful, though, because using them too early or carelessly can leave you open to others.
Every round is a fabulous and competitive race, with the first player who gets rid of all their stockpile cards in Skip-Bo winning. With a typical pack of 162 cards in various colorful designs, *Skip-Bo* provides an intriguing blend of luck and strategy to keep a player of any age entertained. It's perfect for fun and quick card gaming with friends or family.
The goal is to use the cards in your hand and stockpile to play on the build piles in numerical order. On each player's turn, they may play one card from their stockpile, hand, or one of the build piles. A key strategy is figuring out when to play cards to block your opponents and when to advance your own stack.
Skip-Bo also contains special "wild" cards, which break the monotony with the ability to act like any number and are very helpful in situations when you are at a deadlock or need to change the direction of play. Such cards can change the course of events, and making good use of them at the perfect time can make you the first to finish. Be careful, though, because using them too early or carelessly can leave you open to others.
Every round is a fabulous and competitive race, with the first player who gets rid of all their stockpile cards in Skip-Bo winning. With a typical pack of 162 cards in various colorful designs, *Skip-Bo* provides an intriguing blend of luck and strategy to keep a player of any age entertained. It's perfect for fun and quick card gaming with friends or family.
- 144 Cards Numbered 1 Through 12
- 18 Skip Bo Cards
- The Skip Bo Game Rules And Instructions
Be the first player to play all the cards in your stock pile by playing cards in numerical order, 1 through 12.
Perparation: First shuffle the deck and each player takes one card. The player with the highest card becomes the dealer, a SKIP-BO cards do not count. After each game, the dealer changes to the left. If there are 2 to 4 players deal out 30 cards, 5 or more players, 20 cards to each player face down in a STOCK pile. Each player now flips over the top card of his or her designated STOCK pile, laying it on top without looking at the remainder of the cards. The dealer places the remainder of the deck face down in the center to create the DRAW pile.
During the game, up to four BUILDING piles are made available in the middle of the play area, near the DRAW pile, for all players. In front of each player, they will have their STOCK pile and up to four DISCARD piles, as illustrated. The BUILDING piles and the DISCARD piles are built during the game; at the beginning of the game, no cards will be placed in these areas.
The key to remember with strategy is that SKIP-BO cards are wild and can be played as any number.
Game Play: Each player places a STOCK pile at the right face down with the top card turned face up on top of the pile. After the cards have been dealt, the player must place the remaining cards face down in the middle to form a DRAW pile.
During the game, up to four BUILDING piles can be begun. A 1 or a SKIP-BO card must start a BUILDING pile. The building piles are built numerically in sequence from 1 to 12. Since the SKIP-BO cards are wild, they can be used as any number to begin a pile or be played as part of the numerical sequence. When the pile of 12 is completed, that pile is discarded and a new pile can start in its place.
Up to four DISCARD piles can be built to the left of a player's STOCK pile. Cards placed in the DISCARD piles can be in any order and only the top card of each DISCARD pile can be played.
Starting left of the dealer, a player draws 5 cards from the DRAW pile. If they have either a SKIP-BO card, or a number 1 card from either their STOCK pile, or from their hand, then they can open a BUILDING pile. Players now can follow by playing the cards from the STOCK pile onto the BUILDING pile. They play all the 5 cards and draw another 5 continuing. If they cannot or do not wish to make a play, they may end their turn by discarding one card onto one of their DISCARD piles. For subsequent turns, players must first draw sufficient cards to bring their hand back up to 5 and may continue adding to the BUILDING piles in sequential order by playing from their STOCK, DISCARD pile, or hand. To win, players should focus on playing cards from their STOCK pile. If the DRAW pile runs out of cards, the completed BUILDING piles are shuffled and become the new DRAW pile.
After a few rounds, players can score points. The winner of each round earns 5 points for every card remaining in their opponents' STOCK piles, plus 25 points for winning the round. The first player to reach 500 points wins!
In Partnership play, the basic rules stay the same, except for a few notable changes. On your turn, you can play from your STOCK and DISCARD piles in addition to your partner's STOCK and DISCARD piles. Nevertheless, your partner must keep silent during your turn. The only announcement a player can make is the request of his/her partner to make one set move such as, "Partner, play your SKIP-BO as a 4" or "Partner, play your 7." If any cheating becomes noticed that has to pick up 2 cards from the DRAW and place them within the holder's STOCK - unobserved by him. One game ends on the depletion of both STOCK of a team.
If a player draws too many cards by mistake, the additional cards are to be shuffled into their STOCK pile. If any player draws and plays out of turn and another player catches him before the turn is complete, the illegal turn is immediately halted and play goes back to the proper sequence. The player who made the mistake will have to play without drawing from the DRAW pile on his subsequent turn. If the mistake goes unnoticed and the player finishes their turn, the play is considered legal, and the game continues with the next player to the left of the out-of-turn player. Partnership In play, if one partner has played out his STOCK pile, both partners may continue to play from their remaining DISCARD or BUILDING piles.
A player's four DISCARD piles are "imaginary" until they come into play during the game. The BUILDING piles are likewise imaginary until players create them. Remember, the goal of the game is to rid yourself—and your partner in Partnerships—of your STOCK piles.
A quicker version of SKIP-BO: Deal out 10 cards to each player for his or her STOCK pile. All other rules remain the same.
Please keep in mind that the official Skip Bo 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.
During the game, up to four BUILDING piles are made available in the middle of the play area, near the DRAW pile, for all players. In front of each player, they will have their STOCK pile and up to four DISCARD piles, as illustrated. The BUILDING piles and the DISCARD piles are built during the game; at the beginning of the game, no cards will be placed in these areas.
The key to remember with strategy is that SKIP-BO cards are wild and can be played as any number.
Game Play: Each player places a STOCK pile at the right face down with the top card turned face up on top of the pile. After the cards have been dealt, the player must place the remaining cards face down in the middle to form a DRAW pile.
During the game, up to four BUILDING piles can be begun. A 1 or a SKIP-BO card must start a BUILDING pile. The building piles are built numerically in sequence from 1 to 12. Since the SKIP-BO cards are wild, they can be used as any number to begin a pile or be played as part of the numerical sequence. When the pile of 12 is completed, that pile is discarded and a new pile can start in its place.
Up to four DISCARD piles can be built to the left of a player's STOCK pile. Cards placed in the DISCARD piles can be in any order and only the top card of each DISCARD pile can be played.
Starting left of the dealer, a player draws 5 cards from the DRAW pile. If they have either a SKIP-BO card, or a number 1 card from either their STOCK pile, or from their hand, then they can open a BUILDING pile. Players now can follow by playing the cards from the STOCK pile onto the BUILDING pile. They play all the 5 cards and draw another 5 continuing. If they cannot or do not wish to make a play, they may end their turn by discarding one card onto one of their DISCARD piles. For subsequent turns, players must first draw sufficient cards to bring their hand back up to 5 and may continue adding to the BUILDING piles in sequential order by playing from their STOCK, DISCARD pile, or hand. To win, players should focus on playing cards from their STOCK pile. If the DRAW pile runs out of cards, the completed BUILDING piles are shuffled and become the new DRAW pile.
After a few rounds, players can score points. The winner of each round earns 5 points for every card remaining in their opponents' STOCK piles, plus 25 points for winning the round. The first player to reach 500 points wins!
In Partnership play, the basic rules stay the same, except for a few notable changes. On your turn, you can play from your STOCK and DISCARD piles in addition to your partner's STOCK and DISCARD piles. Nevertheless, your partner must keep silent during your turn. The only announcement a player can make is the request of his/her partner to make one set move such as, "Partner, play your SKIP-BO as a 4" or "Partner, play your 7." If any cheating becomes noticed that has to pick up 2 cards from the DRAW and place them within the holder's STOCK - unobserved by him. One game ends on the depletion of both STOCK of a team.
If a player draws too many cards by mistake, the additional cards are to be shuffled into their STOCK pile. If any player draws and plays out of turn and another player catches him before the turn is complete, the illegal turn is immediately halted and play goes back to the proper sequence. The player who made the mistake will have to play without drawing from the DRAW pile on his subsequent turn. If the mistake goes unnoticed and the player finishes their turn, the play is considered legal, and the game continues with the next player to the left of the out-of-turn player. Partnership In play, if one partner has played out his STOCK pile, both partners may continue to play from their remaining DISCARD or BUILDING piles.
A player's four DISCARD piles are "imaginary" until they come into play during the game. The BUILDING piles are likewise imaginary until players create them. Remember, the goal of the game is to rid yourself—and your partner in Partnerships—of your STOCK piles.
A quicker version of SKIP-BO: Deal out 10 cards to each player for his or her STOCK pile. All other rules remain the same.
Please keep in mind that the official Skip Bo 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.
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?
Here are some other games you might like to play at your next get together. Learning how to play new games can feel daunting at first but once you get the hang of it, it can be really fun to try out new games. You can also use our search feature at the top of the page to search for a specific criteria that might interest you. Who knows - you might just find your next favorite game.
