Skyjo — Game Rules

Objective

Have the lowest total score when at least one player reaches 100 points or more at the end of a round.

Suitability

  • Suitable for players of all ages
  • 2 to 12 players; each player needs their own computer
  • Requires strategic thinking

Schedule a Game

  • One player schedules the game and enters each player's name and email
  • Use the built‑in address book to reuse player details
  • Click SUBMIT to view the lineup, correct any mistakes, then confirm to send invitations

Set-up

  • Each player clicks the first link in their invitation email to join the game and then clicks Start
  • Each player receives 12 cards dealt from a 150‑card deck; cards are arranged face down in 4 columns of 3
  • Card values: integers from −2 to 12 (5 cards of −2; 15 cards of 0; 10 cards of each other value)
  • Each player turns over two chosen cards to begin

The Screen

  • After all players turn two cards, the full playing screen is revealed
  • Your 12 cards are displayed on the left; the current player’s 12 cards are on the right (or the next player's when it is your turn)
  • Between these are the face‑up discard pile and the face‑down deck
  • Below the cards is a score table showing each player's name, total score (points from previous rounds), and current round tally
  • The active player is highlighted in the table; initial turn order after card reveal follows the lowest total or is chosen at random among ties
  • An information line above the cards instructs players during play, reports round results, and announces the game winner

How to Play

On your turn choose either the top card of the discard pile or flip the top card of the deck by clicking the desired pile.

If you take the discard pile card

  • Select one of your cards (face up or face down) to replace with the taken card by clicking it
  • The replaced card is placed face up on the discard pile
  • Your new card becomes face up in your layout

If you flip the top deck card

  • The deck's top card is revealed
  • Choose to either:
    • Discard the revealed card: click the discard pile, then flip one of your face down cards
    • Use the revealed card: replace any of your cards (face up or face down) with it; the replaced card goes to the discard pile

Column removal

  • If you have any column of three cards that are all face up and show the same value, those three cards are removed to the discard pile and do not count toward your tally

End of round trigger

  • If all your cards are face up, you trigger the end of the round
  • All other players receive one final turn to reduce their tally
  • After each player's final turn, remaining face down cards are turned face up and tallies are finalised

At the End of a Round

  • Compare the triggering player's tally with each opponent’s tally. If any opponent has an equal or lower tally, the triggering player's tally is doubled as a penalty (unless their tally is negative)
  • Add each player's tally to their total score
  • If one or more players have 100 or more total points, the game ends; the winner(s) are the player(s) with the lowest total score
  • If no player has reached 100 points, begin a new round:
    • Collect and shuffle all cards, redeal 12 cards per player
    • Each player again turns over two cards
    • The player who triggered the previous round goes first in the new round