Skip Bo Rules

Skip Bo Rules as the one you get in the box

Ages: 7 and Up
Players: 2 to 6, Individually or partnered.

Object: Be the first player to play all the cards in your STOCK pile by playing cards in numerical order 1 through 12.

You should have: A deck with 144 cards numbered 1 through 12 plus 18 SKIP-BO cards for a total of 162. Remove any blank cards – these are not used during play.

Please remove all components from the package and compare them to the components list.

The Object

The first player to use up all the cards in his/her STOCK pile wins.

Let’s start

After the deck is shuffled, each player draws a card. The person with the highest card deals. (SKIP-BO cards don’t count.) The deal moves to the left after each game. When there are 2 to 4 players, the dealer deals 30 cards to each player. With 5 or more players, 20 cards are dealt. The cards are dealt face down, and they become your STOCK pile. Each player turns the top card of his/her STOCK pile face up on top of the pile, without looking at any of the other cards in the pile. The dealer then places the remainder of the deck face down in the center of the player area to form the DRAW pile (where you’ll be able to draw additional cards).

How to set up play

In the center area of play, right near the DRAW pile, up to four BUILDING piles will be created for all players to use during play. In addition, each player will have in front of him/her a STOCK pile and up to 4 discard piles. (See illustration below.)

Important note: BUILDING piles and DISCARD piles are developed through play (indicated by dotted lines below.) No cards in this area at the beginning of the game. Also, SKIP-BO cards are wild. This is important.

Further explanation of card piles

Stock Pile: Each player has one STOCK pile, placed face down on his/her right, with the top card of the pile always turned face-up on top. 

Draw Pile: After the deal, the remaining cards are placed face-down in the center of the table to form the DRAW pile. 

Building Piles: During play, up to four BUILDING piles can be started. Only a 1 or a SKIP-BO card can start a BUILDING pile. Each pile is then built up numerically in sequences 1 through 12. Since SKIP-BO cards are wild, they can start a BUILDING pile and can be played as any other number too. Once a pile of 12 cards has been completed, it is removed, and a new pile is started in its place. 

Discard Pile: During play, each player may build up to four DISCARD piles to the left of his/her STOCK pile. They can build up any number of cards in any order in the DISCARD piles but may only play the top card. 

How to play

The person to the left of the dealer starts.

Draw 5 cards from the DRAW pile. If you have a SKIP-BO card or a number 1 card on top of your STOCK pile or in your hand, you may use it to start a BUILDING pile in the center of the play area. You may then continue by playing another card from your STOCK pile onto a BUILDING pile. If you play all 5 cards, draw 5 more and continue playing. If you can’t make a play or just don’t want to, end your turn by discarding one of the cards from your hand onto one of your four DISCARD piles. 

On your second and succeeding turns, first, draw enough cards to bring your hand back up to 5. You may then add to the BUILDING piles (always in sequential order) by playing the top card from your STOCK pile, DISCARD pile, or from your hand. But remember, the winner is the one who plays all the cards in his/her STOCK pile, so it’s best to always use the playable card from that pile first. If the DRAW pile is used up, the cars from the completed building piles are shuffled and become the new DRAW pile. 

Scoring and winning

You may wish to play several games and keep score. The winner of each game scores 5 points for each card remaining in his opponent’s STOCK piles, plus 25 points for winning the game. The first person to collect 500 points wins.

Partnership

All the rules stay the same, except the following:

During your turn, you can play from both your STOCK and DISCARD piles and your partner’s. However, during your turn, your partner must keep quiet. Only the player taking his/her turn can ask his/her partner to make a play, i.e., “Partner, play your SKIP-BO as a 4” or “Partner, play your 7.” Any player guilty of cheating must take 2 cards from the DRAW pile and place them in his/her STOCK pile without looking at them. The game is over when both STOCK piles of one of the partnerships.

Special situations

1. If you inadvertently draw too many cards, you must shuffle the extra cards drawn into your own STOCK pile.
2. If a player draws and plays out of turn and the error is noticed by any other player before this illegal turn is finished, then the illegal turn stops immediately, and play reverts to the proper order. However, when it becomes the play of the player who went out of turn, then that player suffers the penalty of having to play without first drawing from the DRAW pile. But if a player plays out of turn and completes his turn without being noticed, the play is considered legal. Play resumes as normal, starting with the player to the left of the out-of-turn player.
3. In partnership play, both partners can continue to play from the remaining DISCARD or BUILDING piles even if one of the STOCK piles is finished.

Set-up Note

1. A player’s four DISCARD piles are imaginary until he/she starts them during play.
2. The BUILDING piles are imaginary until started by players during the game.
3. Remember: The object of the game is to get rid of the cards from your (and your partners if playing partnerships) STOCK piles.

Short Game

For players wishing to play a short version of SKIP-BO, the dealer deals a stockpile of 10 cards to each player. All other rules remain the same.

What’s Included in the Skip-Bo PDF:

• Official Skip-Bo rules – complete with setup, gameplay, and winning conditions.
• Step-by-step guide – how to deal, build piles, and play your cards.
• Skip-Bo setup instructions – including how many cards in a deck and per player.
• Scoring & quick game options – play shorter rounds or go for 500 points.
• Team and advanced rules – perfect for experienced players or group play.

This downloadable Skip-Bo rules instructions PDF is ideal for teaching the game, referencing during play, or sharing with friends and family. It’s designed to be simple, clear, and printable on one sheet.

Why Download the PDF?

• Easy to print – one-page format for quick access.
• Offline access – keep it at the table, no internet needed.
• Perfect for beginners – no need to memorize rules or search online.

Whether you’re playing the classic card game for the first time or teaching someone new, our free Skip-Bo instructions PDF helps make game night smooth and fun.

1. Game Objective

The main goal in Skip-Bo is to be the first player to play every card from your personal stock pile. You do this by building piles in numerical order, using cards from your hand, discard piles, and the top card of your stock pile.

2. Number of Players

Skip-Bo is designed for 2 to 6 players. With more than 4 players, it’s common to play in teams. The rules remain mostly the same, but team play adds a collaborative twist to the strategy.

3. Game Setup

The Skip-Bo deck contains 162 cards, including numbers 1 through 12 and 18 wild cards labeled “Skip-Bo.” Start by shuffling the entire deck.

Deal a stock pile to each player:

• 2 to 4 players: deal 30 cards per player
• 5 or more players: deal 20 cards per player

Place the stock pile face down in front of each player and turn the top card face up. Place the rest of the cards in the center as the draw pile. Leave space for four building piles in the center and up to four personal discard piles for each player.

4. Cards Dealt Per Player

In addition to their stock pile, each player starts their turn with a hand of five cards drawn from the draw pile. After each turn, players draw back up to five cards.

5. How to Take a Turn

On your turn:

1. Draw cards until you have five in your hand.
2. Play cards from your hand, the top of your stock pile, or your discard piles to the center building piles in order from 1 to 12.
3. You can use a wild Skip-Bo card in place of any number.
4. Play as many cards as possible during your turn.
5. End your turn by discarding one card to one of your personal discard piles.

6. Understanding the Piles

• Building Piles: Up to four piles in the center that build from 1 to 12. Once a pile reaches 12, it is removed, and a new one can start.
• Discard Piles: Each player can have up to four discard piles. Only the top card of each pile can be played.
• Draw Pile: The shared pile players use to refill their hand to five cards at the start of each turn.

7. Winning the Game

The first player to play all of the cards from their stock pile is the winner. In team play, the team that clears all its stock piles first wins.

Skip-Bo history

Skip-Bo is a popular card game that has been entertaining players for over 50 years. The game was created by Minnie Hazel “Skip” Bowman in the 1960s, and it was initially called Spite and Malice. The game was later renamed Skip-Bo in honor of its creator.

Skip-Bo was originally designed to be played with a deck of regular playing cards, but Bowman realized that players needed a specialized deck to fully enjoy the game. In 1967, she partnered with a game manufacturer to create a new deck of cards specifically for Skip-Bo. The deck includes 144 cards, with 12 sets of cards numbered 1 through 12, plus 18 Skip Bo cards.

Over the years, Skip-Bo has become a beloved game for families and friends to play together. It is often compared to other popular card games like Uno and Phase 10, but it has its own unique rules and gameplay. Skip-Bo has also been featured in numerous TV shows, movies, and books, further cementing its place in popular culture.

Today, Skip-Bo is available in many countries and is enjoyed by players of all ages. The game’s simple rules and fast-paced gameplay make it a great choice for parties, family game nights, and casual gatherings. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a beginner, Skip-Bo is a game that is sure to provide hours of fun and entertainment.

How Many People Can Play Skip-Bo? A Guide to Game Size

Skip-Bo is a versatile card game that can be played by a wide range of group sizes. The game is typically played with two to six players, but it can be adapted to accommodate larger groups as well.

When playing with more than six players, it’s common to split into teams and have each team play with a separate deck of cards. This allows for more players to participate while still maintaining the integrity of the game.

One important consideration when playing Skip-Bo with larger groups is the amount of time it may take to complete the game. With more players, turns may take longer and the game may take more time to complete. It’s important to keep this in mind and plan accordingly, especially if playing with young children or individuals with shorter attention spans.

Overall, Skip-Bo is a great game for groups of all sizes, and it can be adapted to fit your specific needs. Whether you’re playing with just a few friends or a large family gathering, Skip-Bo is sure to provide hours of fun and excitement.