Uno rules
Stacking, the wild draw four and the forgotten "uno" penalty, settled.
Almost every Uno argument comes down to a house rule that has been played so long it feels official. Here is what the Mattel rulebook says, and where families differ.
Can you stack a draw two?
Officially, no. When a draw two is played on you, you draw two cards and your turn is over. You cannot answer with another draw two to pass it along, and the same goes for the wild draw four.
Stacking is the most popular house rule in the game and Mattel has said so publicly more than once. It is fine to play it, but it changes the game: hands swell, and one unlucky player picks up ten cards.
The wild draw four rule
You may only play a wild draw four if you have no card matching the current colour in your hand. Having a matching number or an ordinary wild does not stop you: it is the colour that matters.
The player it hits may challenge. The challenged player shows their hand privately. If they broke the rule, they draw four instead. If they were legal, the challenger draws six.
Forgetting to say uno
You must say uno as you play your second-to-last card. If another player catches you before the next player takes their turn, you draw two cards.
If you catch yourself first, you are safe. Some editions print a four card penalty, so check the leaflet in your box before arguing.
Finishing on an action card
Allowed. If your final card is a draw two or a wild draw four, the next player still draws those cards, and they count against them in the scoring. Ending on a skip or reverse is fine too.
What happens when you cannot play
Draw one card from the deck. If it can be played, you may play it straight away. If not, your turn ends. You do not keep drawing until you find something.
Scoring
The winner of a hand scores the cards left in everyone else’s hands: number cards at face value, draw two, skip and reverse 20 each, wild and wild draw four 50 each. First to 500 wins the game.
Questions
Can you stack draw twos in Uno?
Not under the official rules. It is a house rule, and a very common one. Agree on it before the first hand rather than mid-game.
Can I play a wild draw four whenever I like?
Only if you hold no card of the current colour. Play it otherwise and you can be challenged, and you draw four for the bluff.
What is the penalty for not saying uno?
Two cards in the current rulebook, if another player catches you before the next turn begins. Some older editions say four.