Dirty Uno

Players and Setup

4-6 players per Uno deck in play

Snitker Christmas 2019 we learned a new way to play Uno that proved hugely entertaining. It’s played with a regular deck of UNO and 4-6 players, but also seemed to work well with two decks and twice the players. You also need a score pad.

GOAL

To have the lowest score when someone reaches 500 points. This is achieved by repeatedly scoring low each round. You score zero if you are the one who goes out first–plays all the cards in your hand. All others score points based on what card(s) they have in their hand when someone goes out.

PLAY

Dealer deals seven cards face down to each player, then places the remaining cards stacked as a draw pile (or two draw piles for a large table) within easy reach of all players. The top card is flipped up to begin the discard pile; however, if it is a special point card (7, 0, Skip, Reverse, Draw 2, Extra Dirty Wild, Wild, or Wild Draw 4), the next card is flipped up.

Players look at their hands and sort to best suit them. Player to the left of the dealer goes first by discarding a card that matches either the color or the face of the card on top of the discard pile or is a plain WILD card. If they cannot, they may play a Wild Draw 4 Card or must draw a card. If the drawn card is playable, they may play it.

Play then proceeds to the next player (continuing left unless a reverse card has been played). Players continue to take turns discarding a card and following these special rules:

SKIP & DRAW SKIP RULE: If a SKIP, DRAW 2 or WILD DRAW 4 card is discarded, the next player does not get to discard a card. They will draw cards as directed, but otherwise lose their turn.
PERFECT MATCH RULE: If the next player matches color and number of the discard card, the previous player has to draw the number of cards equal to the number on that card. [Example: Player one discards a blue 6 followed by player two discarding a blue 6, then player one picks six cards.]
7 SWAP HANDS RULE: If you play a 7, you must swap hands with another player of your choice.
0 ROTATE HANDS RULE: If you play a 0, every player gives their hand to the next player in the direction of play.
EXTRA DIRTY WILD CARD: This is the colored card with nothing on it. It can become any other card of the same color in the deck or any wild card.
DECLARE UNO RULE: As a player discards their second to last card, they must call out loud “UNO.” If they do not and another player notices, they have to draw a penalty card from the top of the draw pile.

Scoring

When a player plays their last card, the round is over, and points are scored. Points scored each round are added to each player’s total points. When someone reaches or exceeds 500, the game is over with the player having the lowest score declared winner.

50 POINT CARDS: 7, 0, Wild, and Wild Draw 4.
20 POINT CARDS: Skip, Reverse, and Draw 2.
0 POINT CARD: Extra Dirty Wild Card.
FACE VALUE CARDS: All other cards are counted as face value.

If only one game is to be played, play until only one person is left with cards. Earlier you go out, the greater your bragging rights.