The cards and the deal
The game uses a standard 52-card deck. With two players, each is dealt seven cards. One card is turned face up to start the discard pile, and the rest form the draw pile. The first card is never an eight (how many cards you deal).
How to play a card
Players take turns, starting with the first player. On your turn, play one card from your hand onto the discard pile. It must match the top card in one of two ways:
- Rank: the same number or face, such as a 7 on a 7.
- Suit: the same suit as the active suit, such as any heart on a heart.
Example: the top card is the 7 of hearts. You can play the 7 of spades (same rank), the king of hearts (same suit), or an eight. A 4 of clubs is not a legal play.
Eights are wild
An eight can be played on any card, at any time, even if you have another legal card. When you play one, you name a suit, and the next player must match that suit or play an eight of their own. Details: are eights wild.
If you can’t play
If you have no card that matches and no eight, you draw one card from the draw pile and your turn ends, even if you could play the card you drew. You may only draw when you have no legal play, and you draw just one card (what if you can’t play).
If the draw pile runs out, the discard pile, except its top card, is shuffled to make a new one. If there is nothing left to draw, the game is a draw (when the draw pile runs out).
No other special cards
Only eights have a power. There are no skip, reverse or draw-two cards, so every other card is played by rank or suit alone (skip and draw-two cards).
Winning the game
The first player to play their last card wins. You can go out with an eight (going out with an eight). The game is a single round with no scoring.
Crazy Eights rules for two players
These are the rules for two players as played here; some families use house rules with extra special cards. To put the rules to work, read the Crazy Eights strategy guide, or play Crazy Eights free with a friend or the computer. No sign-up.
Crazy Eights rules questions
Are eights wild in Crazy Eights?
Yes. An eight can be played on any card at any time, even when you hold a matching card. You then name the suit the next player must match.
Read the full answer →What do you do if you can’t play in Crazy Eights?
Draw one card from the pile and your turn ends, even if that card could be played. You may only draw when you have no matching card or eight.
Read the full answer →How many cards do you deal in Crazy Eights?
Two players get seven cards each. One card is turned face up to start the discard pile, and the rest form the draw pile. That first card is never an eight.
Read the full answer →Can you go out with an eight in Crazy Eights?
Yes. Playing an eight as your last card wins at once. You still name a suit when you play it, but it no longer matters. The first empty hand wins.
Read the full answer →What happens when the draw pile runs out in Crazy Eights?
The discard pile, except its top card, is shuffled to make a new draw pile. If no cards remain to draw, the game ends in a draw.
Read the full answer →Does Crazy Eights have skip or draw two cards?
No. Only eights have a special power here. There are no skip, reverse or draw-two cards, so every other card is played only by rank or suit.
Read the full answer →Play Crazy Eights free →Invite a friend or practice with the computer. No sign-up.