Go Fish is a classic card game for children that may be playable with any deck of cards.
While there are decks of cards designed specifically for the Go Fish card game, with fewer cards and numbers than a standard deck of cards, they are not necessary to play this game. For the sake of this blog, the Go Fish rules will be presented using a standard 52-card deck. The point of the game is to gather as many sets of four as feasible.
Go Fish is a popular card game renowned worldwide for its simple rules and addicting gameplay.
How Do You Play Go Fish Card Game?
The Go Fish card game is intended for two to five players. To play Go Fish, you only need a regular 52-card standard deck with no Jokers, like Poker, Rummy, and most other games.
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Setup
The game uses a standard deck of 52 cards. The objective is to be the first one to collect the most sets of four matching cards, called books.
Dealing
Deck-splitting determines the dealer. The person who draws the highest card becomes the dealer. The dealer, however, does not affect the game.
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Each participant in a two-person Go Fish game is dealt seven cards.
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Each player in a 3-5 person game is handed five cards.
All remaining cards are then placed aside to form the draw pile. The remaining cards are often known as the stock.
Gameplay
Go Fish’s core gameplay is based on rules similar to those found in other card-matching games.
The dealer goes first and asks each player whether they have a certain card rank (Aces-Kings). The asking player must have at least one card from that precise level to make a request.
For instance, if Player 1 does not have any 9s in their hand, they may not ask another player for 9s.
Here’s an example of a request: “Player 1, do you have any nines?” asks Player 2.
In this situation, Player 2 will pass up all their nines to Player 1. Player 1 is then allowed to make another request to any other player.
If Player 2 has no nines, they will shout, “Go Fish.”
When a player is requested to Go Fish, they will draw one card from the deck. The turn then moves clockwise to other players.
Merging
Because the Go Fish card game is fundamentally a matching game, the game’s purpose is to create four-of-a-kind sets.
When players complete a four-of-a-kind, they place those four cards face-up on the board in front of them.
A four-of-a-kind can be completed by either a request or a draw from the stock. Completing a set does not necessitate the conclusion of the turn.
Once a set is completed, there are no more cards of that rank in the stock or in the hands. As a result, players are not permitted to request said rank. The sets are no longer playable.
How Do You Win at Go Fish?
The round is over when all of the cards in the stock and all hands have been cleared. Each player’s total of all sets will be their round score.
Running Out of Playing Cards
If a player runs out of cards, they have three options:
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If there are still cards in the deck, the player pulls five cards from it.
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If less than five cards remain in the stock, the player draws all of them.
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If no more cards are in the stock, the player does not play the rest of the round.
Rules Of The Game Go Fish
The Go Fish rules are as follows:
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Each participant is dealt five cards (7 in 2-player games).
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The dealer starts first and selects a player to ask for a certain card rank.
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If the player who has been asked possesses cards of that rank, they give them all to the player who has been asked. It can be one or more cards.
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If the requesting player does not have any cards of that rank, they instruct the player to Go Fish, and the asking player must draw one card from the stock.
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The game proceeds clockwise.
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When a player completes a four-of-a-kind, it is placed face-up on the table.
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The game is over When all the cards have been melded, and there are no cards left.
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Scoring
The number of four-of-a-kind sets possessed by each player at the end of the game determines the Go Fish score. Every set is worth one point.
The round is won by the player who has the most sets.
Example Play
An example hand from a two-player Go Fish game is shown below.
AKQ28 is the first player.
AK225 is the second player.
Player 1 begins a turn and asks Player 2: “Do you have any Queens?”
Player 2 does not and instead says, “Go Fish.” Player 1 is dealt the number five.
Player 2 begins a turn and asks player 1: “Do you have any Aces?”
Player 2 turns over their Ace, and Player 1 places it in their own hand.
Other players follow the same. And the player with the most books wins.
Strategy For Go Fish Card Games
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Making readings on your opponents is essential in Go Fish tactics.
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If possible, try hiding your cards and not asking for them until you know other people have the cards you need.
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If at all feasible, count the cards.
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Remember, you may keep asking for the same cards to force more pulls from the stock.
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Clearing your hand as soon as possible gives you more opportunities to win.
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Maintain a poker face, particularly in games with more than four players.
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Variations Of Go Fish Card Games
There are many variations of the Go Fish game. Take a look!
One Card
In one variation of the game Go Fish, a player offers only one card rather than all the cards when asked.
Pairs Of Matching Cards
In this Go Fish variation, players collect pairs of matching cards instead of sets of four. On their turn, players ask others for a specific card rank. If the asked player has it, they give it up, if not, the asker draws from the deck. Players lay down pairs they collect. The game ends when all cards are paired, and the player with the most pairs wins.
No Extra Turn
In this Go Fish rule, if a player asks for a card and the other player does not have it, the asker draws a card from the deck. If the drawn card matches their request, they do not get another turn, and play passes to the next player.
Using Jokers
In this Go Fish variation, jokers are wild cards. Players can ask for jokers to form pairs, with two jokers making one pair. Jokers can also substitute for any card rank when making pairs, which adds a sense of flexibility and strategy to the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Go Fish for free online?
Go Fish simulators are accessible online as a downloaded executable and as Android or iOS applications. There are several options to play the game online.
How do you play Go Fish with three people?
With three players, each player is given five cards at the start of the game, which proceeds as usual.
What is the number of cards you get in GoFish?
In 2-player games, each player receives seven cards. In 3-5 player games, each player gets five cards.
What happens if you run out of playing cards?
In Go Fish, if you run out of cards, you draw five from the stock, if feasible. You must wait until the round ends if there are no more cards.
