How to Play the Phase 10 Card Game

The Phase 10 card game, as the name suggests, is played in 10 phases, each demanding a unique sequence. This game is very addictive once you get a hang of it. Quickly take a look at the Phase 10 card game rules and instructions, as given by Plentifun.

The Mobile Version
Phase 10 is available on two leading mobile device platforms, iOS and Android. The iOS version costs $1.99, whereas, the Android version is completely free. Download and Enjoy!

This card game was developed by Kenneth Johnson in 1982, and is marketed and sold by Mattel. Phase 10 is often considered to be similar to Rummy, due to the concept of sequences both games share. The game is also one of Mattel’s best-selling games, after UNO.

Phase 10 can be played by a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 6 players. The box contains a total of 108 cards, out of which 8 are Wild cards, 4 are Skip cards, and the remaining are classified into 4 colors with 24 cards each.

To begin with, you’ll need to learn the specific terms associated with the game. Learning these terms would prevent you from getting confused later on. Here are the rules and regulations on how to play the Phase 10 card game.

Relevant Terms

Set – 2 or more cards of the same number.
Run – 4 or more consecutive cards.
Hitting – This allows a player to discard certain unwanted cards immediately after a phase is laid down; these cards should necessarily be linked to the completed phase. However, for this rule to be applicable, the player him/herself should have laid down his/her own phase for that round.
Going Out – This term refers to the action of getting rid of all cards in one’s hand, either by hitting or by using all of them to complete a phase.

Cards and Scoring

Wild Card – A Wild card helps complete a sequence by substituting any required card.
Skip Card – A Skip card allows a player to make another player lose his/her turn.

In Phase 10, lower scores are positive, and vice versa.

Cards numbered from 1 – 9 are equal to 5 points each.
Cards numbered 10 – 12 are worth 10 points each.
Skip cards are equal to 15 points, whereas Wild cards sum up to 25 points.

The 10 Phases

To complete each, phase acquire the following:

2 sets of 3 cards each
1 set of 3 and 1 run of 4
1 set of 4 and 1 run of 4
1 run of 7
1 run of 8
1 run of 9
2 sets of 4
7 cards of the same color
1 set of 5 and 1 set of 2
1 set of 5 and 1 set of 3

Playing Phase 10

Shuffle the cards and deal 10 cards per player, face-down. The players should hold their cards such that they can’t be seen by other players.

Once dealt, put the remaining cards in the center, which would serve as a Draw Pile. Turn the top card face-up, and place it next to the Draw Pile, to begin a Discard Pile.

The player to the dealer’s left begins playing by either drawing a card from the Discard or Draw Pile. He/she then chooses one of his/her cards to discard.

Once a player goes out, the round ends. Players would then score and discard their existing hands. Those players who completed phase 1 in round 1 would try to complete round 2; however, those who did not, have to do so before proceeding to the next phase.

The first player to complete 10 phases in this manner wins the game. The game end could wait to see the scores of the rest.

Phase 10 is an ideal card game to play with family and friends at home and at a small get-together too. Enjoy!