Skip-Bo
Also known as: SkipBo, Skip Bo
Build piles from 1 to 12. First to empty your stockpile wins. Simpler than it sounds, sneakily strategic.
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What You'll Need
About This Game
A sequential card game from the makers of UNO. Build shared piles from 1 to 12, using cards from your personal stockpile, hand, and discard piles. The first player to empty their stockpile wins. More strategic than it looks.
How to Play
**Setup:** 162-card deck (numbered 1-12, 12 copies each, plus 18 Skip-Bo wild cards). Each player gets a stockpile of 30 cards face-down (top card flipped up). Deal 5 cards to each player's hand.
**Gameplay:** On your turn:
- Draw until you have 5 cards in hand
- Play cards to building piles (shared, center of table) in sequential order starting at 1
- Cards can come from your hand, stockpile (top card only), or discard piles (top cards only)
- Skip-Bo cards are wild — they can be any number
- When a building pile reaches 12, it's cleared and a new pile starts at 1
- End your turn by discarding one card to one of your 4 personal discard piles
**Winning:** First player to empty their entire stockpile. Hand and discard pile cards don't matter.
History & Background
Minnie Hazel "Skip" Bowman created Skip-Bo (originally called "Spite and Malice") in Brownfield, Texas in the early 1960s. She started selling it locally and built a small business around it. International Games Inc. published it nationally in 1980, and Mattel acquired it in 1992 alongside UNO. The game has sold over 15 million copies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play Skip-Bo with 2 players?
Yes! Skip-Bo is an excellent choice for 2 players — in fact, it's designed specifically for a duo. You'll get the full experience without any compromises.
How long does Skip-Bo take to play?
A typical game of Skip-Bo takes about 20-30 min. This can vary based on players' experience level and how quickly decisions are made.
What do you need to play Skip-Bo?
To play Skip-Bo, you need: Skip-Bo card deck. That's it — no special equipment required.
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