Skip-Bo

1 Overview

Skip-Bo is a sequential card-shedding game published by Mattel, derived from the older card game Spite and Malice. Players race to empty their personal stockpile by playing cards onto shared building piles in sequential order (1 through 12). SKIP-BO wild cards can substitute for any number. The first player to empty their stockpile wins.

Skip-Bo plays 2 to 6 players in 20 to 60 minutes depending on stockpile size. It is a step up from UNO in complexity and a great family card game for players who want more tactics than pure luck.

2 Components

• 162 cards: numbers 1 through 12 (12 cards each) plus 18 SKIP-BO wild cards

3 Setup

1. Shuffle all cards into one deck.
2. Deal a stockpile to each player face-down:
   • 2 to 4 players: 30 cards each
   • 5 to 6 players: 20 cards each
3. Players flip the top card of their stockpile face-up. This is always visible.
4. Place remaining cards in the center as the draw pile.
5. Each player has space for up to 4 personal discard piles beside their stockpile (empty at start).
6. Leave space in the center for up to 4 building piles (empty at start).

4 Gameplay

On your turn:

1. Draw 5 cards from the draw pile into your hand (or draw up to 5 if you have fewer than 5).
2. Play cards in any order and as many as you like:
   • Play from your hand to building piles
   • Play from your stockpile top to building piles
   • Play from your discard piles (top card only) to building piles
3. End your turn by discarding exactly one card face-up onto any of your four discard piles.

When a building pile reaches 12, set it aside and start a new building pile in that spot. A maximum of 4 building piles are active at any time.

5 Building Piles

Building piles are the shared center piles where all players play cards. They must be built in strict sequence: start a pile with a 1 (or a SKIP-BO wild acting as 1), then add 2, 3, 4... up to 12.

SKIP-BO wild cards can represent any number in sequence. Play a SKIP-BO on a pile that needs a 7 and it counts as a 7. The next player must play an 8 on top of it (the SKIP-BO takes that value permanently for that pile).

You can play onto any building pile -- your own or an opponent's started pile. This is often tactically useful.

6 Winning

The first player to empty their stockpile wins immediately. Your hand cards and discard piles are irrelevant -- only the stockpile counts. When you play your last stockpile card onto a building pile, you win.

7 Strategy Guide

Prioritize Your Stockpile

Every time you can play your stockpile's top card onto a building pile, do it. That is always the highest priority. Drawing your hand toward cards that help you play the stockpile top is the core decision-making framework.

Manage Your Discard Piles

Your 4 discard piles are storage, not a dump. Organize them strategically: keep one pile for low numbers (1s, 2s), one for mid-range (5-8), one for high numbers (9-12), and one for SKIP-BO wilds. This way you can access the right card when a building pile needs it.

SKIP-BO Wilds Are Emergency Tools

Do not waste SKIP-BO wilds on easy plays you could make with regular cards. Save them for situations where you need to start a new building pile (requires a 1 or wild) or where your stockpile top is blocked without the wild.

Watch Opponents' Stockpiles

Keep a rough count of how many stockpile cards your opponents have left. If someone is close to winning, shift play to block their building pile opportunities by completing piles before they can play onto them or occupying the number slots they need.

Never Bury Cards You Need Soon

When discarding, think ahead. If your stockpile top is a 7, don't bury your 8s under other cards in discard piles -- you'll need that 8 to play your 7 then immediately play the 8 on top. Keep your discard piles accessible for the sequence you're working through.

8 FAQ

Skip-Bo Table Layout

More Frequently Asked Questions