How to Play Phase 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction to Phase 10

Phase 10 is a popular rummy-style card game that combines elements of Uno, offering a fun and strategic experience for 2-6 players of all ages. Created by Kenneth Johnson and published by Mattel, the game challenges players to complete 10 different phases in order.

What You Need

• A Phase 10 deck containing:
  • 108 cards: two sets of cards numbered 1-12 in four colors (red, blue, green, yellow)
  • Eight Wild cards
  • Four Skip cards

Game Setup

1. Shuffle the deck and deal ten cards to each player
2. Place remaining cards face down as the draw pile
3. Turn the top card over to start the discard pile
4. Play begins with the person to the left of the dealer

Understanding the Phases

Players must complete these phases in order:

1. Phase 1: 2 sets of 3
2. Phase 2: 1 set of 3 + 1 run of 4
3. Phase 3: 1 set of 4 + 1 run of 4
4. Phase 4: 1 run of 7
5. Phase 5: 1 run of 8
6. Phase 6: 1 run of 9
7. Phase 7: 2 sets of 4
8. Phase 8: 7 cards of one color
9. Phase 9: 1 set of 5 + 1 set of 2
10. Phase 10: 1 set of 5 + 1 set of 3

Important Terms:

• Set: Multiple cards of the same number
• Run: Consecutive numbers in any color

Gameplay Rules

Turn Sequence

1. Draw one card (from either draw pile or discard pile)
2. Lay down phase if possible
3. Hit on other players' phases if desired
4. Discard one card

Special Cards

• Wild Cards: Can represent any number or color
• Skip Cards: Force the next player to lose their turn

Scoring

At the end of each hand:

Players who completed their phase: 0 points Players who didn't complete their phase: Sum of all cards in hand

Point values:

• Number cards (1-9): 5 points each
• Number cards (10-12): 10 points each
• Skip cards: 15 points
• Wild cards: 25 points

Pro Tips

1. Plan ahead and prioritize completing phases with fewer cards first
2. Save Wild cards for difficult phases
3. Watch what other players are collecting
4. Use skip cards strategically on players close to completing their phase
5. Consider discarding high-point cards early if they're not immediately useful

Special Situations

When the Draw Pile Runs Out

1. Leave the top discard card
2. Shuffle the remaining discard pile
3. Place it face-down as the new draw pile

Winning the Game

The player with the lowest score after someone completes all 10 phases wins the game. If multiple players complete all phases, the lowest total score determines the winner.

For more detailed rules and variations, visit the official Phase 10 website.