Game guide · MXZTJ
Go Fish: what to know before playing
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Collect more four-card books than the computer by asking for ranks already in your hand. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction. Both players receive seven cards. The remaining cards form the stock.
Two-player, seven-card opening, standard 52-card pack. No betting or prizes. Refreshing starts a fresh deal.
Bring this focus to a round
A careful first move helps you understand the round. A successful request gives you another turn. If the opponent has none, draw one card from the stock. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Your objective
Take a moment to check the current turn. Collect more four-card books than the computer by asking for ranks already in your hand. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Step by step
- Both players receive seven cards. The remaining cards form the stock.
- Choose a rank that you currently hold. The opponent gives you every card of that rank.
- A successful request gives you another turn. If the opponent has none, draw one card from the stock.
- If the drawn card matches the requested rank, ask again. Otherwise the turn passes.
- Four cards of one rank are removed as a completed book. An empty hand draws one stock card at the start of its turn if possible.
- The game ends when all thirteen books are collected. The player with more books wins.
Keyboard and screen controls
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. Tap an Ask for button. Your hand is displayed below; books and stock size are updated after every request. The game area remains available above the explanation.
A useful example
Holding two kings lets you ask for kings. Receiving the other two completes a book and keeps your turn.
Check this before moving on
You cannot request a rank absent from your hand. One pair is not a book; a book contains all four suits of one rank. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
If you are unsure
On this page, what is the aim of Go Fish?
Collect more four-card books than the computer by asking for ranks already in your hand. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
For this game, how do the controls work?
Tap an Ask for button. Your hand is displayed below; books and stock size are updated after every request. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
When I start, can you show an example?
Holding two kings lets you ask for kings. Receiving the other two completes a book and keeps your turn. The game is played locally in your browser.
When I start, which mistake should I avoid?
You cannot request a rank absent from your hand. One pair is not a book; a book contains all four suits of one rank. The instructions above use these same rules.
On this page, what rules and limits are used here?
Two-player, seven-card opening, standard 52-card pack. No betting or prizes. Refreshing starts a fresh deal. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
During a round, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
During a round, what is a book?
All four cards of the same rank, such as the four kings. A new round resets the current game.
When I start, why did my turn continue after drawing?
You drew the rank you had asked for, so you may request again. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
On this page, what happens when my hand is empty?
On your turn you draw one card if the stock still has cards. With an empty stock, an empty hand sits out. The controls work with mouse or touch.
For this game, can I ask for any rank?
Only ranks already present in your hand are available as buttons. The instructions above use these same rules.
