Game guide · 12530NET
Making your first moves in Go Fish
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.
Give this approach a try
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. 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.
Your objective
Check the rule below as you play. 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.
Start here and follow along
- 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.
How to use the controls
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
See the idea in 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.
A mistake to avoid
Check the rule below as you play. 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 goal in mind before your next move.
Further help with the game
On this page, what is the aim of Go Fish?
Collect more four-card books than the computer by asking for ranks already in your hand. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
When I start, 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.
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.
On this page, what is a book?
All four cards of the same rank, such as the four kings. The controls work with mouse or touch.
During a round, why did my turn continue after drawing?
You drew the rank you had asked for, so you may request again. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
On this page, 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.
When I start, can I ask for any rank?
Only ranks already present in your hand are available as buttons. A new round resets the current game.