Uno Rules Explained: Stacking, Draw 4s And The Arguments

Almost every Uno argument comes down to two things: stacking draw cards, and whether you can play a Draw 4 whenever you like. Here's what the official rules actually say.

Then decide your house rules deliberately, rather than at volume, halfway through a game.

The arguments, settled

• Stacking is not in the official rules. You cannot answer a Draw 2 with another Draw 2 to pass it along. The official maker has confirmed this repeatedly. Most families house-rule it back in, which is fine - just agree first.
• A Wild Draw 4 may only be played if you have no other card matching the current colour. You may still hold numbers, Skips or Reverses of other colours.
• That's why the challenge rule exists: if you suspect an illegal Draw 4, challenge it. If you're right, they draw 4 instead. If you're wrong, you draw 6.
• You cannot finish the game on an action card? You can. Playing a Draw 2 as your last card is legal, and the next player still draws.

The basics

• Seven cards each, top card of the deck flipped to start.
• Match the top card by colour, number or symbol, or play a Wild.
• If you can't play, draw one card. If it's playable you may play it immediately; otherwise your turn ends. You do not keep drawing until you can play - that's a house rule.
• Reverse with two players acts as a Skip, so you go again.

Saying Uno

• Say 'Uno' when you play your second-to-last card, leaving you with one.
• If another player catches you before the next player takes their turn, you draw two cards.
• Nobody can be penalised once the next player has begun their turn.

Scoring, if you play to 500

• The winner of a round scores the value of all cards left in other players' hands.
• Number cards score face value. Draw 2, Skip and Reverse score 20 each. Wild and Wild Draw 4 score 50 each.
• First to 500 wins the game. Most families just play single rounds, which is also fine.

Shop all cards

How to write it so it lands

• Decide about stacking before the first card is dealt.
• Write your house rules inside the box lid. It ends the annual argument.

Where to shop next

• Board games hub
• Best family board games: curated picks
• Board games for adults
• Board games for kids
• Board games for two players
• Board games for toddlers
• Board games for teenagers
• Best card games for families
• Christmas board games
• Boxing Day games
• Classic vs modern board games
• Quickest board games to learn
• Board games under £20
• Board games for big groups
• Monopoly rules explained
• Articulate rules explained
• Cluedo rules explained
• Games for older relatives
• Kids' party games by age
• Charades word lists
• Free feel good tools
• Shop all cards
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges
• All guides

Frequently asked questions

Can you stack Draw 2 and Draw 4 cards in Uno?

Not under the official rules - stacking isn't in them, and the game's maker has said so publicly. It's one of the most common house rules, so just agree before you start.

When can you play a Wild Draw 4 in Uno?

Only when you have no other card matching the current colour. If a player suspects you did, they can challenge: wrongly played means you draw 4, a wrong challenge means the challenger draws 6.

What happens if you forget to say Uno?

If another player catches you before the next player starts their turn, you draw two cards. After that, it's too late.

Do you sell board games?

No. We make greeting cards, art prints and pin badges in the UK, so these picks are simply what we'd recommend to a friend. The cards on this page are ours.