How to Play Crazy 8?

Crazy 8 is a shedding-type card game where the goal is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards. Here's how to play:

Objective

Be the first player to discard all of your cards.

Players

• 2 to 7 players

The Deck

• A standard 52-card deck.

Setup

1. Deal the Cards:
   • In a 2-player game, deal 7 cards to each player.
   • In a 3-7 player game, deal 5 cards to each player.
2. Place the Discard Pile: Place the remaining deck face down in the center to form the draw pile. Flip the top card of the draw pile face up next to the draw pile to start the discard pile. If the first card turned up is an 8, it is put back into the deck and another card is turned up.

Gameplay

1. First Player: The player to the left of the dealer goes first.
2. Playing a Card: On your turn, you must play one card from your hand onto the discard pile. You can play a card if it:
   • Matches the rank (number) of the top card on the discard pile.
   • Matches the suit of the top card on the discard pile.
   • Is an 8 (an "8" is wild).
3. Wild Eights: If you play an "8", you must immediately declare which suit the "8" represents. The next player must then play a card of the declared suit or another "8".
4. Drawing a Card: If you cannot play a card, you must draw a card from the draw pile. You can then play the drawn card if it's playable. If it's still not playable, you must keep the drawn card and end your turn.
5. Emptying the Draw Pile: If the draw pile runs out, shuffle the discard pile (except for the top card) and place it face down to create a new draw pile.
6. Winning: The first player to discard all their cards wins the round.

Scoring

• After a player goes out, other players count the points of the cards remaining in their hands.
• 8s are worth 50 points.
• Face cards (King, Queen, Jack) are worth 10 points.
• All other cards are worth their face value.

Variations and Common House Rules

• Cumulative Drawing: Some variations allow a player who has to draw to add to the number of cards the next player has to draw if they also can't play.
• Specific Card Actions: Some house rules assign special actions to specific cards (e.g., a 2 forces the next player to draw two cards). This is generally frowned upon unless explicitly agreed upon before beginning play.

Crazy 8 is a simple, enjoyable game that’s easy to learn and fun for all ages. The wild card element of the 8s adds a layer of strategy and excitement.