The rules for Crazier Eights can be found here. The copies of the game made by the Game Crafter have a rules document folded up with each game (in addition to the rules card). The copies of the game manufactured by AdMagic come with a little rules book about the same size as a card. The PDF file that was used to make these rulebooks can be downloaded here.
Category Archives: rules
Playing on Teams
One rule that I cut from the rules that comes with Crazier Eights is still in the comprehensive rules and it could add a new element to the game that you enjoy:
Players can use teams (with two or three people on each team). When playing in teams, the entire team wins or loses together. Any player who wins on a team causes the whole team to win the game. Any player who loses the game on a team causes the whole team to lose.
I haven’t actually playtested this idea a lot, but I have done it now and then, and seemed to work out pretty well. It adds a new way of playing the game. Having another player “on your side” changes the dynamic of play.
Have any ideas for changing the game around a bit? Try them out, and let us know if it worked out well in the comments.
Game Play FAQ
Some frequently asked questions about how to play Crazier Eights: Continue reading
Playing and Discarding Cards
There is one more rule I am thinking about changing — Right now players take turns drawing a card, playing a card for an effect, and discarding a card. They can discard a card for an effect before discarding a card. I personally prefer that rule because I don’t want to punish people for playing the game a little differently. There are also some situations when discarding a card before playing a card for an effect could be the more strategically sound choice. Continue reading
Playing Crazier Eights with Points
Mel Nash suggested that people who play Crazier Eights could use points in order to determine how well multiple players do when playing multiple games. It would be possible to have a tournament by having a group play a few games. Some players don’t seem to want to use points, but I think it is a great idea to give people the option to do so.
How do points work? After each game, players who didn’t win count how many cards they have in hand. They each get that many points. The player with the most points is doing the worst. Also, whoever has the most points plays first (rather than randomly determining who plays first).
A Rules Change: When You Can’t Draw
There is a weird situation that can happen in Crazier Eights that doesn’t happen very often: Sometimes drawing a card is not possible. If the draw pile has no cards in it, and the discard pile only has one card in it, then there are no cards left to draw.
What happens when a card can’t be drawn? It used to be that the player who can’t draw a card (but is supposed to draw one) would lose the game.
Now I think a better rule is just to end the game at that point. In that case whoever has the fewest cards in hand would win the game.
How To Play Crazier Eights (Video)
Here’s a sneak peak of the game. A special thanks to my friend Michael Schwartz for helping me make this video.
Crazier Eights Glossary
Crazier Eights uses terminology that should be understood in a certain way. This glossary defines the terminology that is used.
ally – A player who is part of your team. If you or an allied player wins, then you both win. If either of you loses the game, you both lose the game.
card back – The back of the cards are all the same and no information about the card is provided on the back of the card.
color – There are four different colors of cards: yellow, red, blue, and green. Each color of card also has a different suit shown on the upper right-hand side of the card.
control – A card that is in play on the table is controlled by the player who played it unless another player gains control of it. Whoever controls a card does whatever is stated on it, but some cards have the same effect on all players. Continue reading
Crazier Eights Rules Cards (Updated 8/4/2014)
Note (3-25-2020): This rules card is now out of date. The current rules card can be found here.
One card that has always fascinated me found in many poker decks is the rules card, so I like to make them for my own games. The current abridged rules cards for Crazier Eights are the following. Click on an image to see a larger version.
Crazier Eights 