UNO vs Crazy Eights: What are the Differences?

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by Basana Saha

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UNO is a classic card game that has been a favorite among all age groups for several generations. It’s a game that is easy to learn, but difficult to master. On the other hand, Crazy Eights(8s) is another classic card game that is popular among families and friends. While both are in the same category of card games, they do differ in some aspects.

This post will highlight the comparison of UNO vs Crazy Eights card game and help you choose which game is perfect for your gaming needs.

UNO vs Crazy Eights

Let’s get started!

UNO vs Crazy Eights

UNOCrazy Eight
Played with a specialized deck of 108 cardsPlayed with a standard deck of 52 cards
Has specific cards for skip, reverse, draw, wild and wild draw fourHas no specific cards for skip, reverse, draw, but can assign any card to have those effects
Must draw only one card if unable to playMust draw cards until able to play if unable to play
Must say “UNO” when having one card leftNo need to say anything when having one card left
Can be played online with 2-10 playersCan be played online with 2-7 players

Origin of UNO and Crazy Eights

UNO is a very popular card game that was created in 1971 by Merle Robbins. It was originally called “Pesto,” but was later renamed UNO. Also, it was intended to be an Americanized version of the German game, Mau-Mau.

The name “UNO” came from the Spanish word for One(UNO).

The original version of UNO only had a deck of cards of four colors: green, yellow, red, and blue.

Each player was dealt seven cards and the goal was to get rid of all those cards by matching either their number or color with the play pile on the table. 

Crazy Eights is a shedding-type card game that has been around since the 1930s. Crazy Eights was traditionally known as “Eights” but got its Crazy name because it’s played with a special deck of cards that includes wild cards and other unique features. Eights was renamed Crazy Eights in the 1940s.

It is related to Uno in terms of its rules—both games feature players trying to discard all their cards before their opponents can do so.

However, Crazy Eights differs from Uno in several ways; most notably, it uses three additional suits—hearts, spades, and diamonds—bringing up the total number of colors used in the game to seven (unlike UNO’s four). UNO does not hae suits, they have colored cards with number on them and also action wild cards.

Furthermore, Crazy Eights also allows players to play multiple cards at once if they have two or more matching numbers or colors on a single turn.

Objectives of the Games

The objective of UNO is for a player to get rid of all their cards. A round is over when one player has no cards left in their hand, and the other players score points based on the cards they have left.

The goal is to reach 500 points before any other player. The first person to 500 wins the game.

Crazy Eights has similar objectives as UNO — lay down your entire hand onto the table before any of your opponents do so.

Additionally, if you can’t play a card that matches either suit or rank, then draw from the deck until you can play something. At the end of each round, players count up how many points are left in their hands and subtract it from their current tally. The first one to reach zero points wins the game!

Differences Between the Two Games

Crazy Eights is a card game that is similar to UNO but with some slight differences. Both games consist of two or more players who must match cards in their hands with the top card on the discard pile.

The main difference between the two games is that Crazy Eights allows players to play multiple cards during their turn. Check the Crazy Eights Rules to know more.

For example, if a player has several Eights in their hand, they are allowed to play all of them at once and draw from the deck until they don’t have any Eights left.

This adds an extra layer of complexity to the game since it gives players more opportunities for strategic moves.

The card deck used in the UNO game and the Crazy Eights card game are completely different.

Additionally, whereas UNO uses action cards like “skip” and “reverse” that affect how other players can move, these types of cards are not used in Crazy Eights.

Instead, special value-based rules are used such as playing multiple sevens forcing each other player to draw three cards and playing four jacks granting the player an additional turn. These unique rules add another element of fun and surprise while playing Crazy Eights compared to UNO.

Similarities Between the Two Games

Both UNO and Crazy Eights are card games that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

In both games, the goal is to get rid of all your cards before your opponents do. The main difference between the two is that in UNO players match either the color or number of the top discard. Learn more about UNO Rules in this post.

Whereas in Crazy Eights you need to match either the suit or number.

Another similarity between these two popular card games is that they are both simple yet challenging. Each game has its own strategies to help players win more often but at their core, they’re easy enough for anyone to learn quickly.

This makes them an ideal game for family gatherings or other social events where people want to have some fun but don’t want anything too complex.

A final similarity between UNO and Crazy Eights is that they can be adapted to fit any situation or group size.

For example, if there are only two people playing then it can easily be done with a regular deck of 52 cards while larger groups will require multiple decks so everyone has enough cards in their hand.

The rules can also be adjusted depending on how long you want each game session to last or how competitively you would like it played out.

Suggested Player Ages

UNO Age Range is typically 7 and up, while Crazy Eights can be played by those 4 years old and older. For smaller children, there may be certain variations in the rules that will make it more challenging yet still enjoyable to play.

For example, in UNO, instead of drawing four cards when a wild card is played, you could draw three cards instead – making it easier for younger players who cannot keep track of too many cards at once.

In terms of difficulty level, both games are quite easy to learn since there aren’t too many rules involved.

However, even if you’re playing against someone much younger than yourself it doesn’t make the game any less competitive! In fact, playing UNO or Crazy Eights with kids can help them improve their counting skills while having fun at the same time!

Popularity: Comparing player base

Comparing the popularity of UNO and Crazy Eights can be difficult as both games have a wide range of players. On one hand, UNO has been around since 1971 and is arguably more widely known than Crazy Eights, which was released in 1930 but was named Crazy Eights in the 1940s.

The game has been popularized by Mattel through various iterations, movie tie-ins, and other marketing campaigns. As such, it’s likely that more people have heard of UNO than Crazy Eights.

On the other hand, Crazy Eights has also seen its fair share of success with its own movie tie-ins and board game releases from leading companies like Hasbro.

While it doesn’t have the same level of name recognition as UNO, it has managed to accumulate a large player base over the years who enjoy the unique twist on traditional card games.

Furthermore, there are now online versions available for both games that make them easily accessible to players all over the world.

Overall, both games have achieved considerable success due to their simple rules and easy accessibility.

Although UNO may be more widely recognized than Crazy Eights amongst casual gamers, they still boast similar levels of popularity because they each offer something different that appeals to different types of players.

Alternative Games

Uno and Crazy Eights are two of the most popular card games around, but there are many other alternatives that offer just as much fun.

  • Solitaire: This timeless classic offers hours of entertainment for one or two players. With simple rules and endless variations, it’s easy to see why it has remained popular for so long.
  • Go Fish: Another great game for two players, where players can create their own unique stories while trying to amass sets of four matching cards by asking questions about the cards in their hands.

No matter what your preference may be, there’s sure to be a card game out there perfect for you!

Conclusion: Which Is Better Between UNO and Crazy Eights?

Let’s conclude the post on UNO vs Crazy Eights Card Game!

UNO is perfect for those who want more complexity and challenging gameplay, while Crazy Eights might attract those looking for an undemanding, lighthearted game. Both games leave room for creativity and strategy, making them a great option for socializing and killing time. 

Now that you know the differences and similarities between the two games, you can make an informed decision of which one better suits you.

I hope you liked reading this post.

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Analyzed By Basana Saha

Basana Saha has expertise working for more than 25 years as a beautician. She has expertise in choosing the right accessories and gears for your baby. Being a mom she knows the problems new moms face. She would like to help with Parenting to new moms with her expertise in raising a child. Learn More About Basana Saha.