Phase 10 Rules

Phase 10 is a popular card game published by Mattel. It is played with the dedicated Phase 10 deck, which includes 24 each of red, blue, yellow, and green cards, 4 Skip cards and 8 Wild cards, along with reference cards listing the 10 Phases and a rulebook.

Objective

The objective of Phase 10 is to be the first player to complete all 10 Phases. In case of a tie, the player with the lowest score is the winner.

Setup

One player is chosen as the dealer. The dealer shuffles the deck and deals 10 cards, face down, one at a time, to each player. The remaining deck is placed face down in the center of the play area to become the draw pile. The top card of the draw pile is turned over and placed next to the draw pile, to become the discard pile.

How to Play

Play proceeds clockwise, with the player to the left of the dealer playing first. During each turn, a player draws one card, either from the draw pile or the discard pile, and adds it to their hand. The player then discards one card onto the top of the discard pile.

During the play of the first hand, each player tries to complete Phase 1. A Phase is a combination of cards that can be either sets, runs, cards of all one color, or a combination of sets and runs. The ten Phases are:

1. Two sets of 3
2. One set of 3 + one run of 4
3. One set of 4 + one run of 4
4. One run of 7
5. One run of 8
6. One run of 9
7. Two sets of 4
8. Seven cards of one color
9. One set of 5 + one set of 2
10. One set of 5 + one set of 3

Players can only make one Phase during each hand. Sets are made of two or more cards with the same number, and runs are made of four or more cards numbered in order. All One Color cards are all the same color, and Wild cards can be used in place of a number card or as any color to complete a Phase. More than one Wild card may be used in completing a Phase, but only if at least one natural card is used as well. Once a Wild card has been played in a Phase, it cannot be replaced by the intended card and used elsewhere.

Skip cards cause another player to lose a turn. To use a Skip card, a player discards it on their turn and chooses the player who will lose a turn. A Skip card may never be used in making a Phase and may never be picked up from the discard pile. When the dealer starts the discard pile with a Skip card, the first player's first turn is automatically skipped. Only one Skip card against each player per round may be used.

Making a Phase and Hitting

If you can make your current Phase with the cards in your hand, lay it down face-up on the table before discarding. You must have the whole Phase in hand before laying it down, and you may lay down more than the minimum only if the extra cards attach directly to the cards already in that Phase.

Phases must be made in order, from 1 to 10, and you only get credit for the Phase you are currently on: a run of 9 laid down for Phase 4 (one run of 7) satisfies Phase 4, but gives no credit toward Phase 5 or Phase 6. You receive credit as soon as you lay the Phase down — you do not need to win the hand.

Once your own Phase is on the table, you can get rid of leftover cards by hitting: placing a card directly onto any Phase already laid down, yours or another player's, as long as it fits properly with the cards already there. The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the hand.

Scoring and End of Game

At the end of each hand, players total the cards left in their hands. Players score points as follows:

• 5 points for each card numbered 1-9
• 10 points for each card numbered 10-12
• 15 points for each Skip card
• 25 points for each Wild card

The winner of the hand scores zero, and all remaining players score points against them. After the scores are recorded, the player to the left of the dealer becomes the new dealer, and all cards are gathered and shuffled, and a new hand begins.

The first player to complete Phase 10 at the end of a hand is the winner. If two or more players complete Phase 10 in the same hand, then the player with the fewest total points is the winner. In the event of a tie, the players that tied replay Phase number 10. The first one to go out is the winner.

Common Variations

Players can choose to play 10 hands, with all players advancing to the next Phase each time, whether they complete the current Phase or not. In this variation, players try for Phase 1 in the first hand, then in the second hand they all try for Phase 2, and so on. After ten hands, the player with the lowest total score is the winner.

Players can also decide to play only the even Phases (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) instead of all the Phases.

Why This Game Is So Popular

Phase 10 is a fun and engaging card game that combines strategy, luck, and fast-paced gameplay. The game's simple rules and straightforward objective make it easy to learn, but the variety of Phases and the need to adapt to changing circumstances keep players engaged and challenged. The competitive nature of the game, as well as the thrill of completing a Phase and the satisfaction of seeing your strategy pay off, make Phase 10 a memorable and addictive experience for players of all ages.

For example, a memorable moment during play might come when a player is one card away from completing Phase 10, only to have another player discard a Skip card against them and cost them the turn that would have won the game. The tension and excitement in such moments make Phase 10 a popular choice for game nights and family gatherings.

Where to Get the Game

phase 10 card game on Amazon

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Beginners should be careful not to focus too heavily on completing Phases quickly, as doing so can lead to hasty decisions and missed opportunities. It's important to carefully consider each card and think ahead to future Phases, as well as to be aware of the other players' progress and adjust one's strategy accordingly.

FAQ

• Is it suitable for kids? Yes, as soon as children can recognise sets and runs of numbers, the game plays fine in a family setting.
• Can I complete two Phases in the same hand? No, each player can make only one Phase during each hand.
• What happens if I fail to make my Phase? You must try to make the same Phase again in the next hand, so players are often working on different Phases at the same time.
• Can I use a Wild card and then swap it out later? No, once a Wild card has been played in a Phase, it must remain as that card until the hand is over.
• Do the cards I have already laid down count against me? No, only the cards left in your hand are scored at the end of a hand.
• Can I play Phase 10 with a standard deck of playing cards? Phase 10 is designed around its own deck, with four colours numbered 1 to 12 plus Skip and Wild cards.

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