Are you getting bored with your current selection of family games? Here is a perfect way to spice up an old favorite! Spicy Uno is a fun family or party game using a regular deck of Uno cards. It would be best to have 2 decks of UNO cards, especially if you are playing with more than 3 people. You can still play spicy UNO with only one deck, but you will have to pause to shuffle at least once. You can’t even shuffle the cards when it is not your turn, because in Spicy UNO, it is always your turn! If you don’t enjoy shuffling you might want to invest in a card shuffler! Read on to find out more.
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How to set up Spicy UNO:
Thoroughly shuffle the UNO deck or both decks and deal each player 7 cards then place one card face up on the discard pile. The basic play is the same as the standard UNO game, follow color or number. You must say “UNO” when you have one card left, or you will be required to pick up 2 cards. Decide who will play first. The object of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of your cards.
Rules for Spicy UNO:
0 – If you play a zero, you must trade hands with another player. This is not optional.
5 – If anyone plays a 5, all players must slap the table. Last player to slap the table must draw 2 cards. It pays to be loud and noticeable here!
7 – If someone plays a 7, all players must remain silent (except for laughing, because laughter is fun) until another 7 is played. If you talk after someone plays a 7 you must draw a card. If you go down to one card during silence you must hold up one finger to indicate UNO instead of saying “UNO”. To choose a color if you play a wild during silence you must point to your desired color. If during silence, rules must be clarified, you must raise your hand before speaking.
Draw 2 – If you play a draw 2, the next player must draw 2 (if they draw 2 their turn is over), unless they can also play a draw 2, then the next player has to draw 4, unless they can play a draw 2, then the next player must draw 6. This continues until someone has to draw the accumulated number of cards.
Draw 4 – Same rules as the draw 2.
If you cannot play a card, you must draw cards until you are able to play.
If a player has to draw because they cannot play, any player can offer them a playable card face down. The player who cannot play can choose to accept the offered card or decline and draw instead.
If you have a card that is the exact same as a card played (examples: someone plays a red 3 and you have a red 3, or someone plays a yellow skip and you have a yellow skip) you can play it at any time even if it is not your turn. You have to play the identical card before the next player plays their card. If you are able to play your identical card first then you will have effectively changed the turn to your turn and the player after you will go next. You can play 2 cards at the same time if you have 2 identical cards in your hand. If both cards are fives, everyone must slap the table twice.
Spicy UNO Strategy
If possible, don’t play a zero when your hand is the smallest.
Hold onto your draw 2 and draw 4 cards until they are the only playable cards in your hand. These cards will defend you incase someone else plays one.
Offer a playable zero to someone who cannot play because they will have to trade their hand. If the player after the player who has to draw has UNO, offer the player who has to draw a playable draw 2 or draw 4 card.
Always pay attention, even when it is not your turn so you do not miss a 5 or 7 card.
If you like Spicy Uno, You might like:
Here are some fast paced paced games, where its always your turn, try these:
- Throw Throw Burrito
- Spoons
- Dutch Blitz
- Mao – Part game, part puzzle, part prank! So fun great for teens!
If you like the house rules and craziness you might like Uno Roboto.
Other Fun Family games
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2 replies on “How to Play Spicy UNO”
Love this! What a great idea.
Love Uno! Thanks for this fun rendition of the classic game!