Crazy Eights Rules
Classic shedding game with a standard deck — match suit or rank, use wild 8s to change suit, and score the fewest penalty points over multiple rounds. These house rules match the online table on Classic Deck Games.
Overview
Shedding game for 4 players online (you plus three computer opponents). Everyone starts with 7 cards. Match the discard pile by suit or rank, use wild 8s to change suit, and be the first to empty your hand each round. Penalty points add up across rounds until someone reaches 100.
Objective
The first player to play all their cards wins the round and scores no penalty points. Penalty points are added for cards left in hand at the end of each round. The first player to reach 100 total points loses; the player with the lowest score wins the match.
Setup
- Deal 7 cards to every player.
- Place the rest of the deck face down as the draw pile.
- Turn one card face up beside it to start the discard pile.
- If the first face-up card is an 8, the first player may play any card from their hand.
- Play goes clockwise. The player on your left leads each round.
Scoring
At the end of a round, each losing player adds penalty points for cards still in hand: 8s = 50, Aces = 1, face cards = 10, number cards = face value.
Turn rules
On your turn, play one card onto the discard pile if you can. It must match the suit or the rank of the top card.
If you cannot play, draw from the pile — up to 3 cards per turn. If you draw a card you can use, you may play it immediately. After 3 draws with nothing to play, your turn ends automatically.
Playing matching ranks
If you hold two or more cards of the same rank and at least one can legally be played, you may play them together in one turn — for example, both queens when a queen or matching suit is showing.
The wild 8
The eight is wild. You may play it on any card and then choose which suit must be played next. If you hold two or more 8s, you may play them together in one turn — you still name the suit only once. The next player must follow that suit, play another eight, or match the rank on the discard pile.
When you have only one card left, a “1” badge appears beside your name so everyone can see.
Examples
Top card: 7♥ — Play any heart, any 7, or any 8 (then name a suit).
Two queens: Top card 7♣ — you may play Q♣ and Q♠ together if you hold both.
Cannot play? Draw up to 3 times; play a drawn card if you can; after 3 draws with nothing to play, your turn ends automatically.
Frequently asked questions
- How many cards does each player get?
- In this online version, each player receives 7 cards at the start of every round.
- What can I play on the discard pile?
- A card of the same suit or the same rank (value) as the top card. An 8 may be played on anything; you then name the suit that must be played next.
- What happens if I cannot play?
- You may draw from the pile, up to 3 cards per turn. If you draw a card you can use, you may play it straight away. After 3 draws with no legal play, your turn ends automatically — there is no separate Pass button online.
- Can I play more than one card at once?
- If you hold two or more cards of the same rank and at least one can legally be played, you may play them together in one turn — for example, both queens when a queen or matching suit is showing.
- What does the “1” badge mean?
- When a player has one card left, a small “1” badge appears by their seat so everyone can see.
- How does scoring work?
- At the end of a round, each losing player adds penalty points for cards still in hand: 8s = 50, Aces = 1, face cards = 10, number cards = face value. Penalty points are added for cards left in hand at the end of each round. The first player to reach 100 total points loses; the player with the lowest score wins the match.
- How does a round end?
- The first player to play all their cards wins the round and scores no penalty points.
- How does the match end?
- When any player reaches 100 penalty points, the match ends. The player with the lowest total score wins.
- Is Crazy Eights the same as UNO?
- No — UNO uses a special deck and different action cards. Crazy Eights is played with a standard 52-card deck. Eights are wild here, similar in spirit to changing suit in many shedding games.