Skyjo*
Skyjo is a card game where each player starts with 12 cards, aiming to have the lowest score by the game's end. Two of these cards are visible to the player, while the rest are faced down. On their turn, players can draw a card from either the discard or draw pile to replace one of their cards, with the goal of minimizing the sum of their card values. The game progresses until a player has all their cards turned face up, triggering the end of the round where everyone reveals their cards and tallies their scores. The unique twist comes with a special rule that allows players to discard an entire column of cards if they all share the same value, potentially turning the tide of the game.
Gameplay Overview
- Turn Mechanism: Choose between taking a card from the discard pile or the draw pile to replace one of your own.
- Revealing Cards: The round ends when one player has all their cards face-up, triggering a scoring phase.
- Scoring: Sum up the values of your cards, aiming for the lowest score possible.
Special Features
- Column Discard Rule: Discard a whole column if all three cards share the same value.
- Card Values: Cards range from -2 to 12, offering strategic choices on which cards to keep or discard.
Conclusion
Skyjo blends strategy with luck in an engaging way, encouraging players to make calculated risks and decisions. Its simple yet compelling gameplay makes it accessible to a wide range of players, ensuring each round is filled with anticipation and strategic depth. Whether you're trying to minimize your score or aiming to use the special column discard rule to your advantage, Skyjo promises a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved.
- 2 - 8 Players
- 15 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
We like Skyjo so much that we recommend it in the following board game recommendation lists 2024
- Position 23 in The best games released in 2015📆
- Position 3 in The best games that challenge and promote math skills 🧮