Phase 10 facts for kids

Phase 10 is a fun card game where players try to complete ten different "phases" in order. It's a bit like Rummy or Uno, but with specific goals you need to achieve in each round. This game was created in 1982 and is now published by Mattel. It's a great game for families and friends to play together!

Discovering Phase 10: A Card Game Adventure

Phase 10 challenges players to be the first to finish all ten unique phases. Each phase requires a specific combination of cards, like sets of numbers or runs of colors. The game combines luck from drawing cards with strategy in deciding which cards to keep. It's a popular choice for game nights because it's easy to learn but offers plenty of replay value.

What's in the Phase 10 Deck?

A Phase 10 deck has 108 cards. Most cards are numbered 1 through 12 in four different colors: red, yellow, green, and blue. There are also special cards that make the game more exciting.

• Wild Cards: These cards can be any number or any color you need to complete your phase. They are super helpful!
• Skip Cards: If you play a Skip card, the next player in line loses their turn. This can be a great way to slow down an opponent who is close to finishing their phase.

How to Play Phase 10: The Basics

The goal of Phase 10 is to be the first player to complete all ten phases. You must complete them in order, from Phase 1 to Phase 10. You can only work on one phase at a time.

Understanding the Phases

Here are the ten phases you need to complete in order:

• Phase 1: Two sets of 3 (e.g., three 5s and three 9s)
• Phase 2: One set of 3 and one run of 4 (e.g., three 7s and 1, 2, 3, 4 of the same color)
• Phase 3: One set of 4 and one run of 4
• Phase 4: One run of 7
• Phase 5: One run of 8
• Phase 6: One run of 9
• Phase 7: Two sets of 4
• Phase 8: Seven cards of one color
• Phase 9: One set of 5 and one set of 2
• Phase 10: One set of 5 and one set of 3

A set means cards with the same number, like three 5s. A run means cards in number order, like 1, 2, 3, 4. For runs, the cards must also be the same color.

Starting a Round

To begin, each player is dealt 10 cards. The rest of the deck is placed face down to form the draw pile. The top card is flipped over to start the discard pile. The player to the left of the dealer goes first.

Completing Your Phase

On your turn, you first draw one card. You can draw from either the draw pile or the discard pile. Then, you look at your hand to see if you can complete your current phase. If you have the cards for your phase, you lay them down face up on the table. You must lay down your entire phase at once.

Hitting and Going Out

After you lay down your phase, you can try to "hit" on other players' completed phases. This means adding cards from your hand to their sets or runs. For example, if someone has a set of three 5s, you could add another 5 from your hand. You can also hit on your own completed phase. The goal is to get rid of all your cards. After drawing and playing cards, you must discard one card to end your turn.

Scoring Points

A round ends when one player gets rid of all their cards. This player is called the "go out" player. Players who did not complete their phase in that round do not move on to the next phase. All players count the cards left in their hand.

• Cards numbered 1-9 are worth 5 points each.
• Cards numbered 10-12 are worth 10 points each.
• Skip cards are worth 15 points.
• Wild cards are worth 25 points.

The goal is to have the lowest score at the end of the game.

Winning the Game

The game continues with new rounds until one player successfully completes all ten phases. If more than one player finishes Phase 10 in the same round, the player with the lowest score wins the game!

The Story Behind Phase 10

Phase 10 was invented by Kenneth Johnson in 1982. He wanted to create a card game that was easy to learn but still offered a fun challenge. The game quickly became popular and was later acquired by Mattel, a well-known toy company. Since then, it has been enjoyed by millions of people around the world. It's a classic game that continues to bring families and friends together.

Different Ways to Play Phase 10

There are a few different versions and expansions of Phase 10. Some versions include special rules or different types of cards. For example, there's a dice version and a master's edition. These variations offer new ways to enjoy the game. They keep the core idea of completing phases but add fresh twists to the gameplay.