How To Play Crazy Eights Card Game: Rules, Gameplay, and Strategy

Crazy Eights card game is one of the classic and exciting card games that’s perfect for players of all ages. You can play with 2 to 8 people, and the game is always lively, whether you have a small or large group.

Table of Contents

The game goes by several names and has many versions, including Switch, Rockaway, and Swedish Rummy. In the UK, it’s sometimes called BlackJack, but it’s different from the well-known American Blackjack. Crazy Eights is a fantastic way to have fun and connect with others; all you need is a deck of cards! Let’s understand more about the game ahead.

How to Play Crazy Eights Card Game (Crazy 8)?

Let’s take a look at how to play crazy eights card game.

Number of Players

Crazy Eights can be played by 2 to 8 players, but it works well with any number within this range. It is versatile and ideal for small or large groups.

The Objective

The goal in Crazy Eights is to be the first player to discard all your cards. You do this by matching the number or suit of the top card on the discard pile. Special “8” cards allow you to change the suit in play, which adds strategy to the game.

Game Set-up

You only need a standard 52-card deck to start playing the classic card game.

The Deal

In its most basic form, two players receive seven cards from a conventional 52-card playing deck or five cards from two decks of 104 cards if more than two players are present. The remaining cards are dealt facedown to create the inventory, with the top card flipped up to begin the discard pile. If this hand is an 8, it is “buried” in the inventory, and the following card is drawn from it.

Gameplay

Starting from the left of the dealer, each player plays by adding a card face up to the remaining cards or the discard pile of cards. Every card being played must equal the uppermost card in the discard pile by rank or suit. All 8s are the wild card and can be thrown at any moment, and the player who plays one can designate any suit for the following player to follow. If a player cannot play a card from their hand, they must draw cards from the draw pile until they get a playable card. If the draw pile runs out, they keep drawing from the top of the pile until they can make a move.

The game is over when the last card from someone’s hand is revealed, or no one can equal the last card.

The person who played out earns payment from each opponent according to the total face value of cards left in that opponent’s hand, counting 50 points for each 8, 10 points for each face card/s, and other cards at their number value. If the game “blocks,” the person with the lowest total of holding cards gets the difference between totals with each adversary. In the four-hand partner game, both partners should go out.

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Switch (Popular Variation Of Crazy 8 Card Game)

In a switch development, a player who is unable to discard draws just one card from inventory, and some cards are subject to unique rules:

Aces are pretty powerful and considered wild (instead of 8s).
Usually, when 2 is played, the following player is obliged to play a 2 or, if unable, to pull two cards from stock and skip a turn. If that person draws, the following player may proceed normally; however, if a 2 is revealed, the next player must pull four cards and lose a turn.
Each subsequent 2 played adds two to the number of cards that the following player must draw for failing to play a 2, up to a total of eight.
A 4 functions similarly to a 2, except that it needs a 4 to be thrown or four cards to be collected (with a limit of max 16 cards).
Throwing a jack changes the direction of play and compels the previous player to play a jack, reversing play once more, or that player will miss a turn.

Last card

When either player’s last card is played, the game is over. When a person with two cards in hand plays one of them, he or she must say, “One left” or “Last card.” The penalty for any rule violation (even going too slow) is to pick two cards from the deck. The winner receives the face amount of all cards left in the hands of the other players play, plus bonus values of 20 points for an ace, 15 points for a 2, 4, or jack, and 10 points for a king or queen.

Crazy 8 Game Rules

Let’s take a look at the crazy 8 game rules to ensure you don’t miss out on anything when playing the card games.

Each player gets 5 cards (7 if there are 2 players).
Place the rest of the deck face-down as the draw pile.
On your turn, play a card that matches the top card of the discard pile by number or suit.
An 8 allows you to choose a new suit for the game.
If you can’t play a card, draw one from the draw pile.
The first player to discard all their cards wins.
The game ends when one player has no cards left or when the draw pile is empty and players can’t make a move.

Tips & Tricks for Crazy Eights

Here are a few tips and tricks on how to play crazy eights to win!

Play The Wild Cards Carefully

When and if you throw an eight, you could either select the suit in which you get the most cards or try and pick one in which your opponent does not have any. You can tell by recalling the last suit to which they had to pick a card.

Rank Match

Throw a rank match before such a suit match in most cases. However, consider this based on your own hands. Playing a card that matches the rank of the top card can help you play multiple cards at once, which is often better. But if changing the suit is important for your strategy, you might choose a suit match instead. See what’s best for your hand and the game situation to decide.

Play Top Cards First

When matching a suit and vying for points, play the top cards first. This is because top cards are usually higher in value and can help you control the game better. Playing them early means you can get rid of these valuable cards and avoid being stuck with them later, which can help you win the game more easily.

Read More: How to Play Whist?

Additional Rules and Scoring

You may play Crazy Eights in a set of games by keeping score on hand. At the end of each game, total up the cards still in the losers’ hands and give the points to the victor.
Usually, each face card, such as the queen or king, is worth 10 points, the face value of the index cards (6 points for a 6), an Ace is for 1 point, and an 8 is worth 50 points. Don’t hold on to those eights!
Allow players to discard more than one card every turn if they can.
Play when Jack skips the following player’s turn. If only two players are in the hand, the Jack enables an extra turn.
Choose a reverse card to shift the game’s direction. A queen is frequently used as the reverse card.

Variations Of Crazy Eights

Let’s take a look at the few variations of the crazy eights card game.

Crazy Eights Countdown

Players start with a hand of cards and must play cards in descending order. The game ends when a player discards their last card in this crazy 8 card game.

Switch

Similar to Crazy Eights but with a focus on changing the suit or rank of the discard pile.

Blackjack Crazy Eights

It incorporates elements of Blackjack, where face cards and eights have special point values.

Double Crazy Eights

It uses two decks shuffled together. It adds more cards and complexity to the game.

FAQs

When to draw cards in crazy eights?

You must draw cards when you are unable to play a card from your hand that matches the top card of the discard pile. Keep drawing from the draw pile until you get a playable card. If the draw pile runs out, continue with the remaining cards in your hand.

What to do if you are unable to play a card during your turn?

If you are unable to play a card, you must draw one from the draw pile. Keep drawing until you find a card matching the discard pile’s top card by suit or rank. If the draw pile is empty and you are unable to play, skip your turn.

What’s the point score system in crazy 8 card game?

In the Crazy Eight card game, face cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings) are worth 10 points each. Number cards are worth their face value, Aces are worth 1 point, and Eights are worth 50 points. The goal is to have the fewest points when the game ends.