Playing card games has always been a fantastic way to bond with family and friends. One of the most entertaining and easy-to-learn games is ‘Go Fish’. If you’re new to the game, or just need a refresher, this guide will show you exactly how to play Go Fish with cards.
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The Basics of Go Fish
Go Fish is a simple game that can be played by 2 to 6 players. The objective is to collect the most sets (or ‘books’) of four cards of the same rank. The player with the most books at the end of the game wins.
Setting Up the Game
The game begins with the dealer shuffling a standard deck of 52 cards and dealing five cards to each player. If there are only two players, seven cards are dealt instead. The remaining cards are placed face down in a pile in the middle of the table – this is known as the ‘fish pond’ or ‘ocean’.
How to Play
The player to the dealer’s left starts the game. They ask another player if they have any cards of a specific rank. The asking player must have at least one card of the requested rank in their hand. If the player asked has one or more of the requested cards, they must give all of them to the asking player. If they do not, they tell the asking player to ‘Go Fish’, prompting the asking player to draw a card from the fish pond.
Ending the Game
The game ends when all books have been made. The player with the most books is declared the winner. If there’s a tie, the player with the most individual cards wins.
Strategies for Winning
Remembering which cards other players ask for can give you an advantage. This information can help you make educated guesses about what cards they hold. Additionally, it is often beneficial to ask for cards that you have several of, increasing your chances of forming a book.