Card games are a fantastic way to spend quality time with family, and Go Fish is a timeless classic that’s perfect for children. If you’re looking for a simple, engaging, and quiet game that can even help wind down energetic kids before bedtime, Go Fish is an excellent choice. Easy to learn and fun to play, it’s a game that can be enjoyed by all ages.
What You’ll Need to Play Go Fish
To get started with Go Fish, you won’t need much. In fact, you probably already have everything you need right at home:
- A Standard Deck of Cards: While you can find decks specifically designed for Go Fish, a regular 52-card deck works perfectly well. Make sure all the cards are present before you begin.
The Goal of Go Fish: Making Books
The objective of Go Fish is simple: to collect the most “books”. But what exactly is a “book” in Go Fish?
- A “Book” Defined: A book consists of four cards of the same rank. For example, if you collect the Ace of hearts, Ace of diamonds, Ace of clubs, and Ace of spades, you’ve made a book of Aces. Similarly, four 7s (7 of hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades) would also form a book.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Play Go Fish
Go Fish is easy to learn, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll be playing for hours! Here’s a breakdown of how to play:
1. Dealing the Cards
- For 2-4 Players: Deal 7 cards to each player.
- For More Than 4 Players: Deal 5 cards to each player.
- The Pond: Place the remaining cards face down in the center of the playing area. This is known as the “pond” or “draw pile”.
2. Starting the Game
- The player to the left of the dealer goes first. Play proceeds clockwise.
3. Asking for Cards
- On your turn, choose a rank (like Kings, 10s, or Aces) and ask a specific player if they have any cards of that rank. Important: You can only ask for a rank that you already have at least one card of in your hand.
- For example, if you have a Queen in your hand, you could ask another player: “Do you have any Queens?”
4. “Go Fish!”
- If the player you asked does have cards of the requested rank, they must hand over all cards of that rank to you. You get to take another turn.
- If the player you asked does not have any cards of the requested rank, they say “Go Fish!“. You then draw one card from the “pond”. Your turn is now over, and play passes to the next player.
5. Making Books
- As soon as you collect a book (four cards of the same rank), immediately show the book to the other players and place it face up in front of you. This keeps track of the books you’ve made.
6. Running Out of Cards
- If you run out of cards in your hand, and there are still cards in the pond, draw a new card from the pond to continue playing on your turn.
- If you run out of cards and the pond is empty, you are out of the game until the next round. You keep your collected books.
7. Winning the Game
- The game continues until all books have been made (either because someone has made all the books or the pond runs out and no more books can be made).
- Once the game ends, players count their books. The player with the most books wins!
Go Fish Variations for Younger Players
For very young children or to simplify the game, you can adapt the rules slightly:
- Playing with Pairs: Instead of collecting books of four, you can play where a “book” is simply a pair of cards of the same rank. This makes it easier for younger children to grasp the concept and make matches.
Go Fish is a delightful and easy-to-learn card game that’s perfect for family game nights, rainy days indoors, or even a calming activity before bedtime. Gather your deck of cards and get ready to “Go Fish!” for a fun-filled time with your loved ones.
