How to Play Crazy Eights: Card Game Rules & Interactive Tutorial
Crazy Eights is a fast-paced "shedding" card game for 2 to 8 players. The goal is simple: be the first to get rid of all your cards! Players take turns matching the suit or rank of the top card, with 8s serving as wild cards that can change everything in an instant.
Below you'll find a thorough explanation of the rules, and above, you'll find an interactive tutorial to help you learn how to play. The tutorial will guide you through your first game step by step.
Once you're familiar with the rules, you can play Crazy Eights Online for free at World of Card Games. You have the option to play against other people online or with friends. We recommend playing a couple of games against our bots before playing against other people.
Get ready for the wildness of Crazy Eights!
The Cards
Crazy Eights uses a standard deck of 52 playing cards. Cards rank from Ace (low) to King (high). The 8s are special wild cards that can be played on any card and allow the player to choose the next suit.
Objective
Be the first player to get rid of all your cards. It's a race where quick thinking and strategic use of your wild 8s can make all the difference. The game is played over multiple rounds with scoring that continues between rounds until any player reaches 100 points. At that moment the match ends and the player with the lowest score wins.
Deal
A random player is chosen as the dealer for the first hand. Each player receives 5 cards. The remaining cards form the stock pile, placed face down in the center. The top card of the stock is turned face up beside it to start the discard pile. If this card is an 8, it's buried in the deck and a new card is turned up. Play proceeds clockwise from the dealer.
Gameplay
On your turn, you must play a card from your hand that matches either:
- The suit of the top card on the discard pile
- The rank of the top card on the discard pile
- Any 8 (wild card)
When you play an 8, you can choose the suit that the next player must follow. This gives you control over the game flow and can be used strategically to disadvantage opponents.
If you cannot play a card, you must pick one card from the stock pile. If the picked card can be played, you may play it immediately. Otherwise, your turn ends and play passes to the next player.
If the stock pile runs out, the discard pile (except the top card) is shuffled to form a new stock pile.
Winning a Round
The first player to play all their cards wins the round. The round ends immediately when a player plays their last card.
Scoring
When a round ends, losers receive points for cards remaining in their hands:
- Each 8: 50 points
- Face cards (J, Q, K): 10 points each
- Aces: 1 point
- Number cards: Face value (2=2 points, 3=3 points, etc.)
The game continues with new rounds until a player reaches 100 points. When that happens, the match ends immediately and the player with the lowest score wins.
Game End
The game ends when any player reaches 100 points.
The player with the lowest score wins!
Strategy Tips
Save your 8s for critical moments - they're your most powerful cards. Watch what suits opponents struggle with and use your 8s to force those suits. Keep track of which cards have been played to better predict what opponents might have. Balance your hand by keeping multiple suits and ranks when possible to maintain flexibility.
History
Crazy Eights originated in the 1930s and became popular as a family game due to its simple rules and exciting gameplay. The game is part of the "shedding" family of card games, which includes UNO (a commercial variant of Crazy Eights) and Mau Mau. Its name comes from the special role of the 8s as wild cards, making them the "crazy" cards that can change the game's direction instantly.
