Crazy Eights - Rules Variations - Canadian Rules

Canadian Rules

Some specific variations exist, which vastly alter the strategy used from the above description.

Eight cards are dealt to each player. The remaining cards of the deck are placed face down at the center of the table. The top card is then turned face up to start the discard pile. Players discard by matching rank or suit with the top card of the discard pile, starting with the player left of the dealer. The winner is the first player to discard all their cards. Some specific rules are as follows:

• Multiple cards of the same rank can be played at once, this is referred to as "burning". All 2s played in this manner stack. Example: Playing 4 2s causes the next player to pick up 8 cards.
• A player does not have to play a card if they do not wish. This allows the possibility of picking up extra cards if one desires. Example: A player may wish to act as if they cannot play after being forced to pick up two cards, and pick up a third card in order to try to extract another 2 from the pile to punish their opponent back. This also allows for strategic punish card play. Example: A player holding more than one 2 may wish to "hold-back" one or more 2s if they think their opponent may also have a 2. As 2s add together when played, this will force their opponent to net more cards than if they had been played all at once.
• If a player possesses an Ace, they may declare "Ace Unload" while placing the suited ace on top of the pile. They may then lay down or "unload" all cards they hold within that suit on top of that ace. Example: 6-H is played, the following player can play A-H while declaring "Ace Unload" and then lay down the rest of the hearts in their hand. The "burn" rule can also be played on the top card following an ace unload.
• If a player cannot or does not want to play a card, they must pick up one card from the pile. If after picking up they still cannot or do not want to play, they must pass.
• If the stockpile is out of cards and a player cannot or does not want to play, they must shuffle the discard pile and put it back into play, leaving the top card of the discard pile visible.
• When a player has only one card left, he must declare "Last Card", if they fail to do so, an opponent may order the player to pick up 2 (or sometimes up to 5 or even 8) cards.
• The loser of each game must shuffle and deal the next game.
• The "skip" card mentioned above in the general rules is typically any jack; the "reverse" card mentioned above is typically a king.
• Playing a 2 'stacks' as in traditional rules, and playing a 2 in response to a 2 negates drawing cards.
• The queen of spades may stack with 2s in some versions; in others it may stack only with the 2-spades, in accordance with the normal rules of play.
• In some decks specific to Crazy Eights, The queen of spades may be marked with cut-corners.