Ólsen Ólsen Rules
Ólsen Ólsen is one of the best-known Icelandic card games. These rules follow the traditional version described on Wikipedia and Heimilisvefurinn.
Overview
Shedding game for 4 players online (you plus three computer opponents). Everyone starts with 5 cards. Match the discard pile by suit or rank, use wild 8s to change suit, and be the first to empty your hand.
Number of players
- One standard 52-card deck (no jokers)
- Usually 2–6 players at home; online you play against three computer opponents (4 players total)
- 5 cards dealt to each player
Objective
The first player to play all their cards wins the round.
Setup
- Deal 5 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 (áttan), the first player chooses which suit must be followed before anyone plays from their hand.
- Play goes clockwise. The player to the dealer's left often starts; online, you take the first turn.
Turn rules
On your turn, play one card onto the discard pile if you can. It must match the suit (sort) or the rank (tala) of the top card — for example, on a heart five you may play any heart or any five.
If you hold two or more cards of the same rank and at least one can be played, you may lay them all down together. The top card sets the new suit. Online: select matching cards in your hand, then tap Play.
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, if you still have nothing to play, your turn ends automatically.
Special cards
The 8 (áttan): The eight is wild (áttan). You may play it on any card and then choose which suit must be played next. The next player must follow that suit, play another eight, or match the rank on the discard pile.
Ólsen: When you have only one card left, you are in “Ólsen”. A badge appears beside your name so everyone can see.
How to win
The first player to play all their cards wins the round. When you play your last card in the classic home game, you have said Ólsen Ólsen.
If you hold two cards of the same rank (e.g. two nines), you do not call Ólsen until you have played the first one — only your true last card counts.
Examples
Top card: 7♥ — Play any heart, any 7, or any 8 (then name a suit).
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.
One card left: You are in Ólsen — other players can see the badge by your name.
Frequently asked questions
- How many cards does each player get?
- In traditional Ólsen Ólsen, each player receives 5 cards. Our online version follows the same deal.
- What can I play on the discard pile?
- A card of the same suit or the same rank (value) as the top card. The 8 (áttan) 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.
- What is Ólsen?
- When you have one card left, you are in “Ólsen”. In the online game a badge appears next to your name so everyone can see.
- How does the game end?
- The first player to play all their cards wins. No extra button — the round ends as soon as someone empties their hand.
- Can I play several cards at once?
- Yes. If you hold two or more cards of the same rank and at least one can be played on the pile, you may select them and play them together. The top card sets the new suit.