Are you looking for a universal card game for a whole family? If you’re up to a good challenge without overly complicated rules, Skip-Bo may be your new favorite. These Skip-Bo rules will guide you through the gameplay from the first turn to scoring.
When I hear about Skip-Bo, I immediately think of UNO (check our classic UNO rules guide if you don’t know it yet). The two games have a lot in common: They are both extremely popular, consist of colorful sets of numbered cards, and even some of their rules are very similar.
Nevertheless, the truth is that Skip-Bo is much closer to Spite and Malice – a competitive version of Solitaire challenging players to compete in creating card sequences and getting rid of their stock (we have covered Spite and Malice rules too).
Skip-Bo is not a traditional old-times game – it was invented in the 1960s and instantly commercialized. Nevertheless, I believe it genuinely deserves its popularity and has the potential to become a new classic in the following decades or centuries.
The game is fast and exciting – there are no tedious or predictable turns, and you always have many different options to try and alternate the course of the game. I particularly enjoy this game in a mixed company of kids and adults at family gatherings or picnics.
This Skip-Bo rules guide will cover the following:
- What is Skip-Bo?
- What you’ll need to play Skip-Bo
- Skip-Bo rules
- How to play Skip-Bo (video tutorial)
- FAQs
- Other similar games to Skip-Bo (our guides)
If you want to know how to play Skip-Bo, continue reading the following instructions.
What is Skip-Bo?
Skip-Bo is, in many regards, a classic card game transferring the principles of solitaire-like card sequencing into a competitive multiplayer fun for all ages.
Unlike Solitaire, though, this game uses a unique deck of cards: It includes much more cards than a standard deck of 52, but at the same time, it limits their numeric range to 12 plus a few wild cards.
Skip-Bo is suitable for all age groups and can be played by up to 6 individuals.
Number of Players: 2 – 6
Ages: 8+
Difficulty: Easy
Length of Play: 15 – 60 minutes (depending on the mode you choose)
Category: Sequencing card game
Similar to: UNO, Double Solitaire, Spite and Malice, Russian Bank
Main Objective: Be the first player to play all the cards from your stockpile.
Why We Love It: Challenging but not overly complicated, swift, and accessible to everyone: Skip-Bo is a game that comes in handy whenever you want to have undemanding fun with cards.
What You’ll Need to Play Skip-Bo
This card game can only be played with a unique Skip-Bo card set that contains:
- 162 playing cards
- Set of instructions
Note: If you’re planning to play this game with younger kids, maybe you should start with Skip-Bo Junior. This slightly simplified game version is suitable for players from 5 years onward.
