Game guide · GCROWNSPA
An introduction to playing Go Fish
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Collect more four-card books than the computer by asking for ranks already in your hand. Both players receive seven cards. The remaining cards form the stock. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Two-player, seven-card opening, standard 52-card pack. No betting or prizes. Refreshing starts a fresh deal.
Bring this focus to a round
A careful first move helps you understand the round. A successful request gives you another turn. If the opponent has none, draw one card from the stock. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Understand the aim
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. Collect more four-card books than the computer by asking for ranks already in your hand. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
The order of play
- Both players receive seven cards. The remaining cards form the stock.
- Choose a rank that you currently hold. The opponent gives you every card of that rank.
- A successful request gives you another turn. If the opponent has none, draw one card from the stock.
- If the drawn card matches the requested rank, ask again. Otherwise the turn passes.
- Four cards of one rank are removed as a completed book. An empty hand draws one stock card at the start of its turn if possible.
- The game ends when all thirteen books are collected. The player with more books wins.
The controls to know
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Tap an Ask for button. Your hand is displayed below; books and stock size are updated after every request. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
An example before you play
Read the position before choosing your next action. Holding two kings lets you ask for kings. Receiving the other two completes a book and keeps your turn. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
One detail worth checking
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. You cannot request a rank absent from your hand. One pair is not a book; a book contains all four suits of one rank. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
A few questions answered
During a round, what is the aim of Go Fish?
Collect more four-card books than the computer by asking for ranks already in your hand. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
When I start, how do the controls work?
Tap an Ask for button. Your hand is displayed below; books and stock size are updated after every request. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
On this page, can you show an example?
Holding two kings lets you ask for kings. Receiving the other two completes a book and keeps your turn. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
Which mistake should I avoid?
You cannot request a rank absent from your hand. One pair is not a book; a book contains all four suits of one rank. You can start a new round from the game controls.
For this game, what rules and limits are used here?
Two-player, seven-card opening, standard 52-card pack. No betting or prizes. Refreshing starts a fresh deal. A new round resets the current game.
For this game, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. A new round resets the current game.
What is a book?
All four cards of the same rank, such as the four kings. A new round resets the current game.
For this game, why did my turn continue after drawing?
You drew the rank you had asked for, so you may request again. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, what happens when my hand is empty?
On your turn you draw one card if the stock still has cards. With an empty stock, an empty hand sits out. The game is played locally in your browser.
On this page, can I ask for any rank?
Only ranks already present in your hand are available as buttons. A new round resets the current game.