Skip-Bo

1 Overview

Skip-Bo is a sequential card-building game for 2–6 players published by Mattel. Each player has a stockpile of cards they must empty to win. On each turn, players draw cards and play them to shared central building piles that count up from 1 to 12. When a pile reaches 12, it's cleared and a new pile starts. Wild Skip-Bo cards can be played as any number.

2 Setup

Shuffle the 162-card deck (12 Skip-Bo wild cards + numbers 1–12 appearing multiple times). Deal stockpiles: 30 cards per player in 2–4 player games, 20 cards in 5–6 player games. Players may look at the top card of their stockpile only. Deal 5 hand cards to each player. Leave the rest as a draw pile.

3 Playing Areas

Each player has: a Stockpile (face-down pile with top card visible), up to 4 personal Discard Piles, and their current Hand (5 cards). The shared center has up to 4 Building Piles that all players can add to.

4 Gameplay

On your turn: (1) Draw until you have 5 hand cards. (2) Play as many cards as you want — from your stockpile top, from your hand, or from the tops of your discard piles — to building piles. (3) End your turn by discarding one card face-up to any of your personal discard piles.

You must discard to end your turn. If you manage to empty your hand entirely by playing all 5 cards to building piles, immediately draw 5 more and keep playing.

5 Building Piles

Building piles must be built sequentially: 1, 2, 3…12. Start a new building pile with a 1 (or a Skip-Bo wild). Add cards in order. When a pile reaches 12, remove it and start fresh. Skip-Bo cards can be played as any number on any building pile.

6 Winning

The moment your stockpile is empty, you win — even if it's in the middle of your turn. Announce the win immediately.

7 Tips

• Play from your stockpile first whenever possible — that's what you're trying to empty.
• Organize your discard piles strategically — try to keep different numbers on top so you have flexible options each turn.
• Don't hoard Skip-Bo cards — play them to unlock your stockpile cards faster.
• Block opponents by filling building piles with numbers they need from their stockpile.