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How to play Crazy Eights

Crazy Eights, also called Crazy 8s, is a quick shedding card game for 2 to 6 players. Match the suit or rank of the top card, play an 8 to change the suit and be the first to empty your hand. A round takes 5 to 15 minutes.

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Crazy Eights at a glance

Players
2–6
Cards
One 52-card deck (two for 5 or 6 players)
Goal
Be first to play all your cards
Game length
About 5–15 minutes

How to play Crazy Eights

  1. Match

    Play a card that matches the suit or rank on top of the pile.

  2. Go crazy

    Eights are wild. Play one and choose the next suit.

  3. Go out

    Call “Last card!” and be first to empty your hand.

Complete Crazy Eights rules

Setup

Deal 7 cards each for two players, or 5 each for three or more. Turn the top card of the deck face up to start the discard pile.

Your turn

Play one card that matches the suit or rank of the top discard. If you can’t play, draw from the deck until you can, or use a house rule like Draw 1 or Draw 3.

Wild eights

An 8 can be played on anything. When you play one, choose the suit the next player must follow.

Scoring

The first player out scores the cards left in everyone else’s hands. Each 8 is worth 50, each face card 10, an Ace 1 and every other card its face value. The first player to reach the target score wins.

Tips to win at Crazy Eights

  • Save your eights for when you’re stuck. They are your escape card.
  • When you play an 8, pick the suit you hold the most of.
  • Watch players close to going out and switch to a suit they don’t have.
Read the full strategy guide · 4 min readCrazy Eights strategy and tips to go out first

Ways to play Crazy Eights

  • Classic

    Match suit or rank. Eights are wild.

  • Action cards

    2 makes the next player draw two, Q skips, A reverses.

  • Draw limit

    Draw 1 or 3 cards when you can’t play, instead of drawing until you can.

Play by your house rules

  • When you can’t playDraw until you canDraw 1Draw 3
  • Action cardsOffOn
  • Points to win100200
  • Bot levelEasyMediumHard

About Crazy Eights

Crazy Eights is a classic shedding game played with a standard deck. It goes by many names around the world, including Mau-Mau in Germany, Switch in the UK and Pesten in the Netherlands.

Rules reviewed by the tavlo.gg game team · Updated October 10, 2026

Questions about Crazy Eights

What if I can’t play a card?
You draw from the deck until you can play. If you prefer, the Draw 1 or Draw 3 house rule caps how many cards you draw.
Are there special cards?
Only the 8s, unless you turn on action cards. Then a 2 makes the next player draw two, a Queen skips the next player and an Ace reverses the direction.
How many players can play Crazy Eights?
From 2 to 6 players. Bots fill any empty seat.
Is Crazy Eights free to play?
Yes. Crazy Eights is free in your browser, with no download and no sign-up. You can start as a guest, and your progress saves on this device.
Can I play Crazy Eights on my phone?
Yes. Crazy Eights runs in any phone or tablet browser, with touch controls and nothing to install.
What if I can’t play a card?
You draw from the deck until you can play. If you prefer, the Draw 1 or Draw 3 house rule caps how many cards you draw.
Are there special cards?
Only the 8s, unless you turn on action cards. Then a 2 makes the next player draw two, a Queen skips the next player and an Ace reverses the direction.
How many players can play Crazy Eights?
From 2 to 6 players. Bots fill any empty seat.
Is Crazy Eights free to play?
Yes. Crazy Eights is free in your browser, with no download and no sign-up. You can start as a guest, and your progress saves on this device.
Can I play Crazy Eights on my phone?
Yes. Crazy Eights runs in any phone or tablet browser, with touch controls and nothing to install.

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