How to Play Go Fish Card Game
Learn how to play Go Fish using a regular deck of cards with simple rules and kid-friendly tips.
Cost: $5
Equipment
- card shuffler Optional
- card holder optional
Materials
- Standard deck of playing cards jokers removed
Instructions
- Remove jokers and shuffle the deck
- Deal cards: 7 cards each for 2–3 players 5 cards each for 4 or more players
- Place the remaining cards face down in the center of the table to create the Go Fish pile.
- Choose a starting player (traditionally the player to the left of the dealer).
- On your turn, ask another player for a card rank you already hold. Example: “Do you have any 3s?” If they have matching cards, they must hand over all cards of that rank (number, Ace, or Face Card). If you receive cards, continue taking your turn and asking for matches from any player you choose. If they do not have the card, they say: “Go Fish.”
- Draw one card from the Go Fish pile. If you draw the exact card you asked for, show it and continue your turn. Otherwise, keep the card, and your turn ends
- As soon as you collect four matching cards, place the completed set face up in front of you.
- Continue until all of the cards have been matched and are placed down.
- The player with the most matches wins.
Notes
- We played with five players and dealt five cards each.
- For younger kids, try making matches of two instead of four.
- Optional house rule: if someone gets caught hiding a requested card, they hand it over and lose their turn.
- Advanced variation: players can ask for a specific number of matching cards instead of asking generally by rank.