Learn to Play Go Fish: Rules & Tips

Players	2 to 5 recommended, but can be up to 10 players
Difficulty	2/10
Recommended Age	5+
Game Category	Collecting

Dealing and Gameplay

Dealing

To start playing Go Fish, you need to deal the cards. The game is typically played with a standard 52-card deck, but you can use two decks if you have more than five players. Shuffle the deck thoroughly and deal seven cards to each player if there are two to three players. If there are more than three players, deal five cards to each player. Place the remaining cards face down in a draw pile.

Gameplay

The objective of Go Fish is to collect the most sets of four cards of the same rank, such as four aces or four queens. The player with the most sets at the end of the game wins.

To start the game, the player to the left of the dealer goes first. If you are playing with two players, the person with the lowest card goes first. If you are playing with more than two players, the first player is determined by drawing cards or flipping a coin.

On your turn, you can ask any opponent if they have a specific card rank that you have in your hand. For example, if you have two queens in your hand, you can ask an opponent if they have any queens. If the opponent has any queens, they must give them to you, and you get to take another turn. If the opponent does not have any queens, you must “go fish” by drawing one card from the draw pile.

If you draw the card you asked for, you can reveal it and take another turn. If you draw a different card, your turn ends, and play moves clockwise to the next player. If you collect four cards of the same rank, place them face up in front of you as a set. If you run out of cards in your hand, draw seven more cards from the draw pile.

The game ends when all the cards have been played and no more sets can be made. The player with the most sets of four cards wins the game. If there is a tie, the player with the most pairs wins. If there is still a tie, the players can play another round to determine the winner.

Remember to shuffle the deck thoroughly before each game and have fun!

Objective and Winning

Objective

The objective of Go Fish is to collect the most “books” by the end of the game. A book is a set of four cards of the same rank. The game is typically played with a standard 52-card deck and can be played with 2-5 players.

At the start of the game, each player is dealt 5 cards from the deck. The remaining cards are placed in a pool in the center of the table. The player to the left of the dealer goes first, and then play proceeds clockwise.

Winning

The game ends when all 13 books have been collected, or when a player runs out of cards. The winner is the player with the most books at the end of the game.

To collect books, a player must ask another player if they have a specific rank of card. For example, you might ask another player if they have any 4s. If the player has any 4s, they must give them to you, and you get to keep them in a book. If the player doesn’t have any 4s, you must “go fish” by drawing a card from the pool.

If you collect all four cards of a rank, you have a book. You can place the book face up in front of you on the table. If you run out of cards, you are out of the game.

To keep track of the score, players can count their books at the end of the game. The player with the most books wins. In case of a tie, the player with the most cards left in their hand wins.

Remember, the goal is to have the most books at the end of the game. So, it’s important to pay attention to what cards other players are asking for and what they are collecting. Good luck!

Rules and Variations

General Rules

To start a game of Go Fish, each player is dealt five cards. The goal of the game is to collect as many sets of four cards as possible. A set is made up of four cards of the same rank, such as four Aces or four 9s. The remaining cards are placed in a draw pile in the center of the table.

On your turn, you will ask another player if they have a specific card in their hand. For example, you might say, “Do you have any 9s?” If the player has any 9s in their hand, they must give them to you. If they don’t have any 9s, they will tell you to “Go Fish” and you must draw a card from the draw pile.

If you collect four of a kind, you must place the set face up in front of you. The game ends when all the sets have been collected and the draw pile runs out. The player with the most sets at the end of the game is the winner.

Variations

There are many variations to the game of Go Fish that can add more skill and strategy to the game. Here are a few popular variations:

• Barb: In this variation, if you ask another player for a specific card and they don’t have it, you must draw a card from the draw pile and then “barb” the player by placing the card face up in front of them. The player must then collect the card on their next turn before they can ask for any other cards.
  
• Jokers: Some players like to include jokers in the deck, which can act as wild cards and be used to complete any set.
  
• Runs out: In some variations, the game ends when one player runs out of cards in their hand, instead of when the draw pile runs out.
  

Remember, the rules and variations of Go Fish can vary depending on who you are playing with. Make sure to establish the rules before the game begins to avoid any confusion.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You now know how to play Go Fish! It’s a simple yet fun game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you’re playing with friends, family, or strangers, Go Fish is a great way to pass the time and have some fun.

Remember to shuffle the deck thoroughly before dealing the cards and to always ask politely for the cards you need. Don’t forget to pay attention to the cards your opponents are asking for, as this can give you a clue as to what cards they have in their hand.

If you’re playing with young children, you can modify the rules slightly to make the game easier for them. For example, you can allow them to ask for specific suits instead of specific ranks, or you can allow them to ask for cards they don’t have in their hand.

There are many variations of Go Fish, so feel free to experiment with different rules and see what works best for you and your group. You can even create your own custom decks with different themes or designs to make the game more interesting.

If you want to learn more about Go Fish or other card games, there are many resources available online and in books written by authors who are experts in the field. So keep playing, keep learning, and have fun!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cards in Go Fish?

In Go Fish, the standard 52-card deck is used. Each player is dealt a hand of 5 cards to start the game.

What are the rules for Go Fish with 3 players?

When playing with 3 players, each player is dealt 7 cards at the start of the game. The remaining cards are placed in the center of the table to form the draw pile. The game is played as usual, with players taking turns asking for cards and drawing from the draw pile when necessary.

What happens when you run out of cards in Go Fish?

If the draw pile runs out of cards, players can no longer draw new cards. At this point, players can only ask for cards that they already have in their hand. If a player cannot make a complete set of 4 cards, the game ends and the player with the most sets wins.

How do you win at Go Fish?

To win at Go Fish, you need to have the most sets of 4 cards by the end of the game. A set is made up of 4 cards of the same rank. For example, 4 aces or 4 sevens.

What are the rules for the game Go Fish?

The rules of Go Fish are simple. Each player starts with a hand of cards and takes turns asking other players if they have a specific card rank. If the player being asked has any cards of that rank, they must give them all to the player who asked. The game continues until all sets of 4 cards have been made.

Related Card Games

If you enjoy playing Go Fish, you may also enjoy these similar card games:

• Crazy Eights
• Hearts
• Old Maid