What you need
One standard deck. Best for three to six players; two can play.
Object of the game
Collect the most “books”—sets of all four cards of one rank.
Setup and deal
- 1Deal five cards to each player, or seven each with two players.
- 2Spread the rest face down in the middle as the “pond,” or stack them as a stock.
How to play
- 1On your turn, ask a specific player for a specific rank you already hold: “Sam, do you have any jacks?”
- 2If they have any, they must give you all of them and you ask again.
- 3If they have none, they say “Go fish!” and you draw a card. If you draw the rank you asked for, show it and ask again; otherwise your turn ends.
- 4Whenever you collect all four cards of a rank, place the book face down in front of you.
How the game ends
- The game ends when all thirteen books are made.
- The player with the most books wins.
Common variations
- Some families play that your turn always ends after you go fishing, even if you draw the card you asked for.
- Younger children often play for pairs instead of sets of four.
Tips for your first game
- Remember what other players asked for—it tells you what they hold.
- Ask for ranks you hold several of; you have fewer to collect.
- If someone takes cards from you, ask them for that rank back later—you know they have it.
Go Fish FAQ
How many cards do you deal in Go Fish?
Five each with three or more players, seven each with two.
Can you ask for a card you don’t have?
No—you must hold at least one card of the rank you ask for.
What happens when you run out of cards in Go Fish?
Draw a card from the pond and keep playing. If the pond is empty too, you are out for the rest of the game.