Go Fish

1 Game Overview

Go Fish is one of the simplest and most beloved card games for children. Players ask each other for cards to complete sets of four (all four cards of the same rank). When a player runs out of cards or the draw pile is exhausted, the player with the most completed sets wins.

2 What's in the Box

• 1 standard deck of 52 playing cards

3 Setup

1. Shuffle the deck and deal cards: 7 each for 2-3 players; 5 each for 4-6 players.
2. Place remaining cards face-down in the center as the "pond" (draw pile).
3. Players look at their hands and may lay down any complete sets of four they already have.
4. The youngest player goes first.

4 How to Play

1. On your turn, ask any one player for a specific card rank (e.g., "Do you have any threes?"). You must have at least one card of that rank in your hand to ask for it.
2. If they have that rank: they give you ALL cards of that rank. You get another turn!
3. If they don't have it: they say "Go Fish!" You draw one card from the pond. If you drew the rank you asked for, show everyone and take another turn. Otherwise, your turn ends.
4. When you collect all four cards of a rank, lay the set face-up in front of you.
5. If your hand empties, draw 5 new cards from the pond (or as many as remain).

5 Winning

The game ends when all 13 sets of four have been completed or the pond runs out. Count completed sets - the player with the most sets wins.

6 Strategy Tips

• Remember what others asked for. If someone asked you for fives earlier, they have at least one five. Ask them for fives on your turn.
• Ask the player most likely to have your card. Track who asked for what and who drew from the pond (they might have gotten your card).