How to Play Mao, Part Game Part Prank

Mao (pronounced mow) is a fun card game I learned from my son. He didn’t teach me the game, because discussing the rules is forbidden. I had to learn like most new players, by playing and watching and learning. This is why the game is also a prank. Some people love it! Others will hate the game. If you love games and puzzles this is a great game for you! Here’s how to play Mao!

What do you need to play Mao?

Just one regular deck of cards for every 2-3 players. It does not matter if the decks are missing cards. This is a great game to play for any deck of cards that is missing a card or two. It also does not matter if the backs of all of the cards match. Jokers should be removed from the decks, but can be set aside for use when new ules are created. More on this later.

You also need at least one player that knows how to play the game. I will teach you most of the rules. The other rules will be posted in an alternate location. It would be most fun if you had a second person read those rules, so you will each get a feel for what a new player will experience, because that is part of the fun!

Mao can be played with 2 or more players, but it is best to have at least 3 players. If you are new to the game, recruit a good sport to be your third player. They will not read any of the rules and will have to learn from you and the second player who will read the other half of the rules. So Fun!!

What is it like to learn Mao?

My first experience with Mao was like this:

Son: “Mama, want to play a new card game?”

Me: “Sure, I’d love to”

Son: Deals out 7 cards to each player, and places the remaining deck in the center of the table. “Are you ready?”

Me: “No, I don’t know how to play.”

Son: “See, that’s the thing about Mao, you are not allowed to talk about the rules. Are you ready?”

Me: “yes” hesitantly

Son: Flips over the top card on the deck. States: “Mao begins”

Me: “Can I touch my cards now?”

Son: Throws a card from the top of the deck at me, says “talking”

Play began with no talking. I watched other players follow suit or play a card with the same number. E.g.: If a 3 of spades was played, the next player played another spade or a 3 of any suit.

Sometimes players drew cards. Sometimes they drew and said “thank you”. When I drew and said “thank you” a card from the top of the deck was handed to me for talking. Confusion began.

After a few rounds I was able to pick up on the basic rules, and some of the extra rules.

What are the basic rules of Mao?

No talking is allowed and the rules must never be discussed.  Talking during play will result in receiving an extra card from the top of the deck.  Any player can give this card to the person who is talking, stating “talking”.

The dealer deals 7 cards to each player. Players cannot touch the cards until the dealer sets the remaining deck in the center, flips over the top card and states “Mao begins”

The object of the game is to be the first person to get rid of all of your cards.

The player to the left of the dealer starts play by playing any card of the same suit or any card of the same number or face. E.g.: Jack on jack, 3 on 3 or spade on a spade.

If a player does not have a playable card, they have to draw a card from the top of the deck. If it is playable they can play it, if not they must add it to their hand. Once the card is added to their hand this should signal the next player’s turn.

Mao Special Card Rules:

Some cards have special requirements. Here I’ll give you half of the special cards. It would be more fun to have a second person read the other half of the rules. Find the other half here.

Note: These special card rules have some regional variability. If you are playing with someone from a different area, you might want to verify that you are playing with the same rules before play starts. This variation could really confuse new players.

Fives

When you play a five: play reverses, similar to a reverse in UNO. If a player plays out of turn because they do not know this rule, any other player can take a card off the top of the deck, give it to the player who played out of turn. If they do this they should say “playing out of turn”. (The card played out of turn should also be returned to the player) This is called carding. If the player who should play does not know this rule, they will not know it is now their turn. In this case, any player can take a card off the top of the deck give it to the player who should play and say “taking too long”. Hopefully they will catch on and play a card. Play then continues in reverse.

Queens

If you play a Queen, you must physically make a salute gesture. This is called saluting the queen. If a player fails to salute the queen, any player can take a card of the top of the deck, give it to that player and state “failure to salute the queen”.

Number of cards remaining

If a player is down to 2 cards in their hand, they must say “approaching Mao”. Failure to do so could result in any player giving them a card from the top of the deck and saying “failure to say approaching Mao”.

If a player is down to 1 card in their hand they must say “Mao”. Failure to do so could result in any player giving them a card from the top of the deck and saying “failure to say Mao”.

How conflict is resolved in Mao

In any game where talking is not allowed there is most certainly going to be confusion over rules. If a player believes another player has done something outside of the rules and needs to clarify, they can call a “Point of Order”. During a point of order rules may be clarified. Talking is allowed. The Point of order should be ended quickly once the dispute is resolved. It ends when someone states “Point resolved”. Play continues.

Ending the game of Mao

This is the most fun part of Mao. When someone wins, gets rid of their cards first. They get to make up a new rule. The only stipulations for the new rule is that the new rule cannot contradict an existing rule and it has to be explained in one sentence. The one sentence rule just keeps the new rule from being too complicated.

Here are some examples of new rules:

Play a Jack and you have to boogie, aka dance in your chair. Failure to due so will result in a card for “failure to boogie”.

A Joker is placed next to the discard pile. When you play a 2 you must discard another card on the joker, aka: feeding the joker. Failure to do so will result in a card for “failure to feed the joker”.

These new rules keep the game new and interesting for all players. This way the game is always changing and fun for everyone. It’s always a puzzle!