How to Play Crazy Eight: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Exciting Card Game

Crazy Eight, also known as Eights or Swedish Rummy, is one of the most popular card games. It is played with a standard 52-card pack. This card game aims to be the first player to get rid of all the cards in your hard. 

So, let’s learn how you can also learn to play Crazy Eight in a few easy steps.

The Basics of Crazy Eights

• The basic rule of Crazy Eights is to get rid of all the cards in your hand by either matching the rank or suit of the face-up card in the discard pile. 

• If you are the first one to discard all your cards, you win the game. Or, if you are playing multiple rounds, you need to have the fewest points. 

• You can play variations by assigning different actions to your cards. In this way, increase the number of starting cards, and more.

What is the Scoring System in Crazy Eights?

The winning player collects the points from all the other players. So, if you are playing the game, you get the points from the remaining cards left in each player’s hand:

• Each eight = 50 points
• Each K, Q, J, or 10 = 10 points
• Each ace = 1 point
• Each other card = Pip value

What are the Rules of Crazy Eights?

To play Crazy 8s, you need to be aware of the game rules:

• If two players are playing, then they receive seven cards each from the standard 52-card deck instead of the usual eight. 

• Alternatively, players will get cards from a double deck of 104 cards if there are over two players. 

• The remaining cards in the deck go facedown. This makes up the stock or the draw cards, with the top card turned up to start a discard pile. 

• If this card is an 8, it is buried in the stock and the next card is turned up from the stock.

Now that you know the foundation of Crazy Rummy, let’s start learning about each step of how you can play this game.

How to Play Crazy Eights?

Step 1: Take your 52-deck card pack and shuffle it properly. Now, take one card at a time and deal cards to the players, starting from your left. Remember the basics of this game when dealing with the cards. 

Step 2: When each player has received the cards, set the remaining cards face down in the playing area. This forms the draw pile which you use according to the basics of this game. 

Step 3: In order to start the game, each player must either match the rank (A, 10, K, A…) or suit (Club, Diamond, Heart, Spades) with a single card in their hand. Place this card face-up on top of the discard pile and turn the pass to the next player on the left. 

It is crucial to remember that 8s are the wildcards in this game. So, when you play an eight, you have to declare the new suit. Some versions of Crazy Eights restrict players from ending on an eight. 

Step 4: If you do not have any cards in your hands that match the rank or suit of the top cards, proceed to draw cards from the draw pile. Follow this step until you get a playable card. Once you get it, you can continue playing. 

Check which version of Crazy Eights you are playing and proceed with the rules accordingly. In some cases, you may only be allowed to draw one card per turn. 

Step 5: The game continues in a clockwise direction. The hand ends when a player has no more cards in their hand. 

If you are playing one round and discard the cards in the first round, you are the winner! If you are playing multiple rounds, keep playing until one player is left with no cards.

Step 6: Now, calculate the score of each player based on the scoring system of the game. When you have a point goal for the game, reshuffle the cards and play until you or any other player achieves the desired goal.

• For 2 players, it is 100 points
• For 3 players, it is 150 points 
• For 4 players, it is 200 points 
• For 5 players, it is 250 points
• The point system increases similarly for more players and up

How is the Zimbabwean Version of Crazy Eight Different?

The normal rules of Crazy Eights hold for the Zimbabwean version. So, other cards have special abilities alongside 8s. This makes a significant difference in how you can play this version. 

The special abilities of the other cards are broken into three categories: 

Offensive: Offensive cards allow players to draw a certain number of cards. This makes it more difficult for a player to win. Some players allow forced draws to skip a person if it is played on top of another offensive card. 

For instance, if a 2 is played, the next could lay another 2, passing a four-card draw down the line. 

Shifting: Shifting cards change the order in which you play the cards. The three main shifting cards are 4s, Jacks and Kings. So, if you get a 4s, you can change the direction of the game from left to right or vice versa. In case it is a Jack, you can skip the next player’s turn. Whereas Kings allow you to continue your turn and play turn cards.

Defensive: Aces is the only defensive card. When an offensive card is played, the next player can play any ace to cancel out the effect of the forced draw. 

What are the Different Variations You Can Use in Gameplay?

By utilising the rules played in the Zimbabwe version, you can incorporate different variations in your game:

Variation 1: Collecting more cards at the beginning of your game can be a strategic take on your part. Although this can prompt the game to go on for longer, you will decrease your draw pile. And this can shorten your game. 

When following this variation, choose cards with the same design to prevent card counting. You can also add a second deck to the first by shuffling all the cards together. 

Variation 2: You can take the game 8 rules one step further and add additional actions. For instance, you can add a crazy rule like if a 2 is played, the player has to run around the table two times. 

Variation 3: Determine how to use cards for “attack” after you make the player after you draw cards. For example, if you play an ace, the player after you can draw one or two cards mandatorily. 

You can change the entire game with this rule. By forcing players with only one card left to draw more, you prevent them from winning and simultaneously, increase your chances.

Variation 4: If there are many offensive cards, the game can get out of hand. The chances for this to happen is more when one player has many cards in their hand. In this case, blocker cards can level the game. 

Play blocker cards after you draw a card to cancel the effect of the draw card. 10s and Jacks work well with blocker cards. However, note that you can get stuck with these cards as they will be worth 10 points against you. 

Variation 5: Make your game more interesting by adding similar characteristics to Uno. For instance, you can make a rule that players have to announce when they are on their last card. 

This is one of the crazy Uno wild card rules that can also change the face of the gameplay. It might give your opponents the chance to change the strategy of their game. 

Wrapping Up

It is important to understand the basic rules of the Crazy Eights game. It is one of the super card games which is entertaining to play. Once you understand how it is played, you can create your strategies to change the game in your favour, and ultimately win!