Game guide · FJZHENSEN
A practical guide to Go Fish
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.
Two-player, seven-card opening, standard 52-card pack. No betting or prizes. Refreshing starts a fresh deal.
A small practice goal
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. A successful request gives you another turn. If the opponent has none, draw one card from the stock. The game area remains available above the explanation.
What the game asks you to do
Collect more four-card books than the computer by asking for ranks already in your hand. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
How a round unfolds
- 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.
Choosing and moving on screen
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Tap an Ask for button. Your hand is displayed below; books and stock size are updated after every request.
Put the rules into context
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Holding two kings lets you ask for kings. Receiving the other two completes a book and keeps your turn. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Pay attention to this rule
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.
Clarifying the way this game works
For this game, what is the aim of Go Fish?
Collect more four-card books than the computer by asking for ranks already in your hand. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
How do the controls work?
Tap an Ask for button. Your hand is displayed below; books and stock size are updated after every request. The game is played locally in your browser.
Can you show an example?
Holding two kings lets you ask for kings. Receiving the other two completes a book and keeps your turn. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
During a round, 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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
During a round, how many people can play here?
You vs computer. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
What is a book?
All four cards of the same rank, such as the four kings. The game is played locally in your browser.
Why did my turn continue after drawing?
You drew the rank you had asked for, so you may request again. The instructions above use these same rules.
During a round, 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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, can I ask for any rank?
Only ranks already present in your hand are available as buttons. The controls work with mouse or touch.
