The Rules of Power Uno
By popular demand, I have typed up the rules of Power Uno, which is a modified version of Uno that is sexier and more intense. Check it out!
Okay, here are the rules. All of the regular Uno rules apply, but there are some added bits to make the game more action-packed. To explain how the rules work a little better, I will refer to a hypothetical game where players A, B, C, and D are sitting in a circle as shown:
..C
B...D
..A
Rules:
1) Players are allowed to give each other cards and trade. For example, let's say that it is player A's turn and the active card is a green 6. Player A has no cards that he can play, and in a standard game he would be forced to draw from the deck. In this situation, however, player A might ask the other players if they have anything he can use. Let's say that player B offers him a card. B holds the card face down out towards player A, and player A is free to grab the card and keep it. Once he has taken the card, he cannot give it back.
This becomes fun because player A does not know what player B is offering. Player B could be giving him a playable card (a green or a 6) or he could be lying and offering him something he doesn't want (a red 4, for instance). Taking a player's card is tricky business; just watch the distrust grow!
2) When a card of any color with the number 8 on it is played, all players must slap one hand on top of the deck. The last person to slap must draw four cards. (Generally I allow new learners of the game to draw two until they get the hang of it. Also, if another 8 is played before the person who lost is done drawing his cards and he loses the slap, we usually don't make him draw the extra cards. That's just cruel.)
3) When a zero of any color is played, all players must put one hand on their forehead. The last person to do so must draw four cards.
4) If you have the exact same color and number (or action) of the active card, you may play it regardless of whose turn it is. Play then resumes from the person next to you.
This one's a little tough to explain. Let's say that it is player A's turn and the play is going clockwise. Player A places a Red 5 and it is, logically, player B's turn. However, player C also has a Red 5, so he may play it even though it is not his turn. After he plays the card, it would be player D's turn, since the play is going clockwise.
This rule also applies to wild cards and action cards, which proves interesting. However, another rule must be explained before advanced techniques using wildcards will be explained.
5) Draw four wild cards and draw two cards can be played in succession to add up.
Let's say that player A puts down a green draw two card and it is then player B's turn. Normally, player B would have to draw two cards and have his turn skipped, but in this case he happens to have a blue draw two card. He plays this card and player C is forced to draw four cards, unless he happens to have a draw two. If player C played a draw two card, player D would have to draw six cards, and so on.
The same applies to draw four cards.
And those are the 5 extra rules. They may seem a little complicated at first, but after a game or two you'll get used to them. And now, the fun part.
ADVANCED STRATEGIES AND INTERESTING PREDICAMENTS
(note: many of these strategies involve being crafty, being cheap, and even almost cheating. Power Uno is not for the weak of heart)
Situation 1: Player A has Uno, the play is going clockwise, and it is player B's turn. Being crafty, player B asks if anyone has a draw four wild card to use on Player A, but no one does. Luckily, player B does, so he gives his draw four to player D. Players B and C both make their moves, and then player D lies down the draw four wild card, seemingly relieving the danger of player A winning the game. However, player A lies down his final card-a draw four wild card- and wins the game. (Player B technically must now draw 8 cards)
Similar situations: -Player D uses a draw two card, and player A cannot use his draw four wild card.
-Player B places his draw four wild and player D places his draw four wild, and player A must draw 8 cards total unless he has a draw four wild card himself.
Situation 2: Player A once again has Uno, and it is player C's turn. He has a green 8, and the color is green. Nonchalantly he motions to players B and D that the card is an action card, and while player A is not paying attention he plays the card and players B, C, and D slap the deck. Player A has lost the slap and must draw four cards, losing his Uno.
Situation 3: Player C does not seem to be paying much attention to the game. It is his turn, but he does not have a playable card, so he asks for help. Player B has two cards left, and, seeing player C's lack of attention, he offers him one of his cards. Player C acts like he's thinking and then suddenly snatches the card out of player B's hand and calls Uno before player B has time to think. Player B must draw four cards.
Believe it or not, I have saved games like this. I have also given away my second to last card successfully. Finally, I have won a match by giving away my final card.
Situation 4: There have been many 8s being played lately in the game, and it is player D's turn. He has a zero (which means slap your forehead) and he places it. Quickly he fakes slapping the deck and then slaps his forehead. Players A and B catch his trick, but player C instinctively goes for the deck and does not touch his forehead in time. He must draw four cards.
Situation 5: Player C has 2 cards left, both of which are the exact same card. Player B plays his card of the same color, and Player C plays both of his last two cards at the same time, winning the game. Playing two of the exact same card is permittable because of rule 4.
And there are many more ways to be cheap and sly, but I won't ruin them all. Half the fun of the game is learning how to dupe your opponents. Develop your own strategy!
Okay, here are the rules. All of the regular Uno rules apply, but there are some added bits to make the game more action-packed. To explain how the rules work a little better, I will refer to a hypothetical game where players A, B, C, and D are sitting in a circle as shown:
..C
B...D
..A
Rules:
1) Players are allowed to give each other cards and trade. For example, let's say that it is player A's turn and the active card is a green 6. Player A has no cards that he can play, and in a standard game he would be forced to draw from the deck. In this situation, however, player A might ask the other players if they have anything he can use. Let's say that player B offers him a card. B holds the card face down out towards player A, and player A is free to grab the card and keep it. Once he has taken the card, he cannot give it back.
This becomes fun because player A does not know what player B is offering. Player B could be giving him a playable card (a green or a 6) or he could be lying and offering him something he doesn't want (a red 4, for instance). Taking a player's card is tricky business; just watch the distrust grow!
2) When a card of any color with the number 8 on it is played, all players must slap one hand on top of the deck. The last person to slap must draw four cards. (Generally I allow new learners of the game to draw two until they get the hang of it. Also, if another 8 is played before the person who lost is done drawing his cards and he loses the slap, we usually don't make him draw the extra cards. That's just cruel.)
3) When a zero of any color is played, all players must put one hand on their forehead. The last person to do so must draw four cards.
4) If you have the exact same color and number (or action) of the active card, you may play it regardless of whose turn it is. Play then resumes from the person next to you.
This one's a little tough to explain. Let's say that it is player A's turn and the play is going clockwise. Player A places a Red 5 and it is, logically, player B's turn. However, player C also has a Red 5, so he may play it even though it is not his turn. After he plays the card, it would be player D's turn, since the play is going clockwise.
This rule also applies to wild cards and action cards, which proves interesting. However, another rule must be explained before advanced techniques using wildcards will be explained.
5) Draw four wild cards and draw two cards can be played in succession to add up.
Let's say that player A puts down a green draw two card and it is then player B's turn. Normally, player B would have to draw two cards and have his turn skipped, but in this case he happens to have a blue draw two card. He plays this card and player C is forced to draw four cards, unless he happens to have a draw two. If player C played a draw two card, player D would have to draw six cards, and so on.
The same applies to draw four cards.
And those are the 5 extra rules. They may seem a little complicated at first, but after a game or two you'll get used to them. And now, the fun part.
ADVANCED STRATEGIES AND INTERESTING PREDICAMENTS
(note: many of these strategies involve being crafty, being cheap, and even almost cheating. Power Uno is not for the weak of heart)
Situation 1: Player A has Uno, the play is going clockwise, and it is player B's turn. Being crafty, player B asks if anyone has a draw four wild card to use on Player A, but no one does. Luckily, player B does, so he gives his draw four to player D. Players B and C both make their moves, and then player D lies down the draw four wild card, seemingly relieving the danger of player A winning the game. However, player A lies down his final card-a draw four wild card- and wins the game. (Player B technically must now draw 8 cards)
Similar situations: -Player D uses a draw two card, and player A cannot use his draw four wild card.
-Player B places his draw four wild and player D places his draw four wild, and player A must draw 8 cards total unless he has a draw four wild card himself.
Situation 2: Player A once again has Uno, and it is player C's turn. He has a green 8, and the color is green. Nonchalantly he motions to players B and D that the card is an action card, and while player A is not paying attention he plays the card and players B, C, and D slap the deck. Player A has lost the slap and must draw four cards, losing his Uno.
Situation 3: Player C does not seem to be paying much attention to the game. It is his turn, but he does not have a playable card, so he asks for help. Player B has two cards left, and, seeing player C's lack of attention, he offers him one of his cards. Player C acts like he's thinking and then suddenly snatches the card out of player B's hand and calls Uno before player B has time to think. Player B must draw four cards.
Believe it or not, I have saved games like this. I have also given away my second to last card successfully. Finally, I have won a match by giving away my final card.
Situation 4: There have been many 8s being played lately in the game, and it is player D's turn. He has a zero (which means slap your forehead) and he places it. Quickly he fakes slapping the deck and then slaps his forehead. Players A and B catch his trick, but player C instinctively goes for the deck and does not touch his forehead in time. He must draw four cards.
Situation 5: Player C has 2 cards left, both of which are the exact same card. Player B plays his card of the same color, and Player C plays both of his last two cards at the same time, winning the game. Playing two of the exact same card is permittable because of rule 4.
And there are many more ways to be cheap and sly, but I won't ruin them all. Half the fun of the game is learning how to dupe your opponents. Develop your own strategy!