Skip Bo rules
Skip Bo is an entertaining and tactical card game that can quickly become a family favourite. The game combines luck and strategy and is easy to learn - perfect for both children and adults. With our guide, you can quickly get started and enjoy the game with friends or family. Follow our simple rules and tips, and prepare for many hours of fun with Skip-Bo. Source references are at the bottom of the page.
Disclaimer
What are Skip Bo rules?
Skip-Bo is a card game where the goal is to be the first player to get rid of all the cards in your personal pile. The game is played with a special deck of 162 cards, some of which are jokers (Skip-Bo cards) that can replace any number. The game can be played by 2-6 players and is suitable for both children and adults.
Origin and history of Skip-Bo
Skip-Bo was originally developed by Minnie Hazel "Skip" Bowman in the 1960s. She produced a packaged version of the game in 1967 and called it SKIP-BO. The game is a commercial variant of the classic card game Spite and Malice, which in turn derives from Russian Bank and further back to Double Klondike. In 1980, the game was bought by International Games, which in 1992 was acquired by Mattel, which still publishes the game.
Previously Skip-Bo was played with three standard decks of cards mixed together, but Bowman's version got its own dedicated deck, making the game more accessible and popular. There are also junior versions, anniversary editions and digital versions for smartphones.
Basic rules for Skip-Bo
Preparation
Shuffle the cards carefully.
If you have 2-4 players, each player gets 30 cards for their personal pile. With 5-6 players, each player gets 20 cards.
Turn the top card of your pile face up - only this card may be played.
The rest of the cards are placed in a draw pile in the centre of the table.
The course of the game
On your turn, you draw cards from the draw pile so that you have 5 cards in your hand.
You can play cards from your hand, your personal pile, or your discard piles on up to four common building piles in the centre.
The bunkers are built in ascending order from 1 to 12.
The Skip-Bo cards act as jokers and can replace any number.
When a construction bundle reaches 12, it is removed and set aside, and a new construction bundle can be started.
If you can't or don't want to play more cards, you must put a card from your hand into one of your up to four discard piles.
The turn goes to the next player.
Winners
The first player to get rid of all the cards in their personal pile wins the game.
Best practices - How to play your best
Always play the top card of your personal pile whenever possible. It brings you closer to victory.
Use the Skip-Bo cards strategically. Save them for situations where you are missing a certain number to continue a building bundle.
Keep an eye on your opponent's discard piles. This can give you clues about what cards they have left.
Use your discard piles to organise cards that you cannot play straight away. It will help you plan future moves.
Try to place as many cards as possible on the building piles during each turn. This gives you extra moves and faster play.
Good tips and a special trick
Tip: If you can discard all 5 cards from your hand during your turn, you may immediately draw 5 new cards and continue playing. Use this to create long chains of play.
Focus on emptying your personal pile first - that's the key to victory.
Be aware that when the draw pile runs out, the completed piles are mixed and become a new draw pile. This can change the dynamics of the game.
Fun facts about Skip-Bo
- Skip-Bo is named after the game's creator, Minnie Hazel "Skip" Bowman.
- The game was first produced in 1967 and has since been a classic in many homes.
- Skip-Bo is a commercial version of the older card game Spite and Malice.
- Mattel has released several versions, including anniversary and junior editions.
- There is also a popular app version, but many people prefer the physical version.
- Skip-Bo can be played by 2-6 players and is suitable for both children and adults.
- The game combines luck and strategy, making it exciting and varied.
Fact check
- Skip-Bo is played with 162 cards, including 18 Skip-Bo jokers.
- Each player receives 30 cards (2-4 players) or 20 cards (5-6 players) in their personal pile.
- The bunkers are built in order from 1 to 12.
- Skip-Bo cards can replace any number.
- The player who gets rid of their personal pile first wins.
- You can have up to four discard piles for surplus cards.
- If you discard all 5 cards from your hand during a turn, you may draw 5 new cards and continue the turn.
| Category | Rating (0-5) |
|---|---|
| Entertainment | 4,7 |
| Laughter | 4,3 |
| Difficulty level | 3,2 |
| Easy to get started | 4,9 |
| Easy to learn | 4,8 |
Skip-Bo is a fun and engaging card game that is easy to learn yet offers tactical challenges, making it exciting for both children and adults. It is perfect for family evenings and cosy moments with friends.
Source references
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skip-Bo
Let's test your maths knowledge
What is Skip Bo?
Skip-Bo is a popular card game where the goal is to be the first player to get rid of all the cards in your personal pile. The game is played with a special deck of 162 cards, some of which are jokers (Skip-Bo cards) that can replace any number. It can be played by 2-6 players and is suitable for both children and adults.
Origin and history of Skip-Bo
Skip-Bo was originally developed by Minnie Hazel "Skip" Bowman in the 1960s. She launched a packaged version of the game in 1967 and called it SKIP-BO. The game is a commercial variant of the classic card game Spite and Malice, which in turn derives from Russian Bank and further back to Double Klondike.
In 1980, the game was bought by International Games, which in 1992 was acquired by Mattel, which still publishes the game. Previously, Skip-Bo was played with three standard decks of cards mixed together, but Bowman's version was given its own dedicated deck, making the game more accessible and popular. There are also junior versions, anniversary editions and digital versions for smartphones.
Fun facts about Skip-Bo
- Skip-Bo is named after the game's creator, Minnie Hazel "Skip" Bowman.
- The game has been a family classic since 1967 and is played in many homes around the world.
- Mattel has released several versions, including junior and anniversary editions.
- There is a popular app version, but many people prefer the physical deck for the social gaming experience.
- Skip-Bo combines luck and strategy, making the game exciting and varied.
- The game can be played by 2-6 people and is suitable for both children and adults.
- Internationally, many famous people, including politicians and actors, have cited card games like Skip-Bo as a way to create quality family time.
- In Sweden and Denmark, Skip-Bo is popular with families and is often used in schools and after-school programmes as a social and educational game.
- Skip-Bo is known for promoting strategic thinking and planning while being easy to learn.
- The game has a unique balance of chance and skill, making each round unique and engaging.
Skip-Bo in culture and digital media
Skip-Bo has also found a place in digital media and is available as an app and online game. This has made it possible to play against friends and family remotely, further increasing the game's popularity. Despite this, many still prefer the classic physical version for its social and tactile experience.
Fact check
- Skip-Bo is played with 162 cards, including 18 Skip-Bo jokers.
- Each player receives 30 cards (2-4 players) or 20 cards (5-6 players) in their personal pile.
- The bunkers are built in order from 1 to 12.
- Skip-Bo cards can replace any number.
- The player who gets rid of their personal pile first wins.
- You can have up to four discard piles for surplus cards.
- If you discard all 5 cards from your hand during a turn, you may draw 5 new cards and continue the turn.
Skip-Bo is more than just a card game - it's a classic with a rich history and a global reach. With its combination of luck and strategy, it has managed to maintain its popularity through generations and across borders. The game is a great choice for families and friends who want to have fun together while practising strategic thinking and concentration.
Source references
Wikipedia - Skip-Bo
Mattel - Official Skip-Bo rules
FAQ on Skip-Bo rules - 10 questions and detailed answers
How many cards does each player get in Skip-Bo?
The number of cards each player receives depends on how many people are playing. With 2 to 4 players, each person gets 30 cards in their personal pile, which they should try to get rid of first. At 5 or 6 players, each player gets 20 cards. The top card of the pile is turned face up and is the only card you can play directly from the pile. The rest of the cards are placed as a common draw pile in the centre of the table.
What is the aim of Skip-Bo?
The aim of Skip-Bo is to be the first player to get rid of all the cards in your personal pile. To do so, you build up piles in the centre of the table in ascending order from 1 to 12. The Skip-Bo cards act as wild cards and can replace any number, providing strategic opportunities.
How do barley piles work?
What are discard piles and how are they used?
Each player can have up to four discard piles in front of them. These piles are used to place cards that you cannot or do not want to play at the moment. You may only use the top card of each discard pile to play on the building piles. The discard piles are important for organising your cards and planning future moves.
How do Skip-Bo jokers work?
Skip-Bo cards act as wild cards and can replace any number in the building piles. They are very valuable and should be used strategically, for example to start a new pile or to complete a sequence where a certain number is missing. Using jokers correctly can be crucial to winning the game.
When does the game end?
The game ends when one player has played all the cards from their personal pile. That player is declared the winner. It takes both luck and strategy to be the first to get rid of all the cards.
Can you play Skip-Bo digitally?
Yes, Skip-Bo is available as digital versions for smartphones, tablets and computers. These apps allow you to play against friends and family remotely, which has increased the game's popularity. However, many people still prefer the physical version for the social and tactile experience.
What age groups can play Skip-Bo?
Skip-Bo is suitable for players from around 6 years and up. The game is easy to learn but offers tactical challenges that even adults will appreciate. There are also junior versions with simpler rules and fewer cards for younger children.
In which countries is Skip-Bo popular?
Skip-Bo is particularly popular in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. In Sweden and Denmark, the game has become commonplace in many homes and is often used in schools and leisure centres. It is recognised as a social and educational game that promotes strategic thinking and concentration.
What strategic tips can help me win?
- Always play the top card of your personal pile when possible to empty the pile faster.
- Save your Skip-Bo jokers for critical situations where they can extend or start a construction pile.
- Organise your discard piles so you can easily access cards you need later.
- Keep an eye on your opponents' discard piles to predict their next move.
- Try to lay as many cards as possible during your turn to get extra moves and maintain momentum.
Can you play Skip-Bo with more than six players?
Skip-Bo is officially designed for 2 to 6 players, which is optimal for the flow and balance of the game. Playing with more than six people can make the game slower and less dynamic, as each player will receive fewer cards and the waiting times between turns will be longer. If there are a lot of you, it might be better to split into smaller groups and play several rounds in parallel, or choose other card games that are adapted to larger groups.
