Crazy Eights
Play the classic shedding card game. Match the top card by suit or rank, play an eight to change the suit, and be the first to empty your hand.
How to play Crazy Eights
This site version is a two-player game. Each player is dealt seven cards, and one card starts the discard pile.
On your turn, match the top discard by suit or rank. If neither matches your hand, draw one card; follow the on-screen prompt if that card can be played.
An eight is wild: play it on any discard and choose a suit. The next player must follow that suit unless they play another eight.
Example: if the top card is the 5 of hearts, you may play any heart, any other 5, or an eight. If you choose clubs after playing the eight, the next play must match clubs or be another eight.
Rules
The playable game on this site uses two players, seven starting cards per player, rank-or-suit matching, and eights that let the player name the next suit.
When you have no legal play, draw one card. This implementation does not make you keep drawing until a match appears.
The first player to play every card wins the round. This version does not add penalty points for cards left in the other hand; other Crazy Eights tables may use different house rules.
Tips & strategy
When you play an eight, choose a suit that appears often in your remaining hand. That gives you more ways to make your next play.
Keep an eight for a difficult turn when possible, but do not hold it so long that you miss a chance to finish your hand.
Watch the opponent’s hand count. If they are close to going out, use a legal eight to change the suit to one that helps your hand.
Before playing a matching card, check whether another legal card leaves you with a stronger mix of suits for the next turn.
FAQ
How many cards does each player start with?
Each of the two players starts with seven cards in this site version.
What cards can I play?
Play a card matching the top discard by suit or rank. An eight is wild and may be played on any discard.
What does an eight do?
An eight lets you choose the suit the next player must follow, unless that player plays another eight.
How many cards do I draw when I cannot play?
Draw one card. This version does not require repeated draws until a playable card appears.
How do you win this version of Crazy Eights?
Be the first player to play every card in your hand.
Does this version calculate penalty points?
No. The first player to empty their hand wins, and the game does not calculate penalty points.
