🐟 How to play Go Fish

Easy rules, to read aloud 🔊

1. Everyone gets five cards.
2. Spread the other cards face down in the middle as the pond.
3. On your turn, ask one player for a number you have.
4. If they have it, they give you all of them.
5. If not, they say Go Fish, and you take a card from the pond.
6. When you have four of the same number, lay them down.
7. The most sets of four wins.

The full rules

1. Shuffle and deal five cards to each player, or seven each when only two are playing.
2. Spread or stack the rest face down in the middle. This is the pond.
3. On your turn, pick one player and ask for a rank, like sevens or queens. You must already hold at least one card of that rank.
4. If that player has any, they hand over every card of that rank, and you ask again.
5. If they have none, they say "Go fish!" and you draw one card from the pond. If it is the rank you asked for, show it and take another turn. If not, the turn moves to your left.
6. Whenever you hold all four cards of one rank, lay that set face up in front of you.
7. If your hand runs empty while the pond still has cards, draw one on your turn and keep playing.

How to win: The game ends when all thirteen sets are on the table. The player with the most sets wins.

Tips

• Ask for a number you already hold two or three of, so you are close to a set.
• Listen to what others ask for: if Sam asks for fives, Sam has a five.
• Hold your cards close, like a fan, so no one can peek.

What it practises

matching numbers, remembering who has what, taking turns, asking clearly.

Other ways to play

• Pairs. Collect pairs instead of sets of four. It is quicker and good for the youngest players.
• One at a time. When asked, a player hands over just one card of that rank, not all of them.
• Ask for an exact card. Ask for one exact card, like the seven of hearts, instead of a whole rank.