How to keep score in Skip-Bo

In Skip-Bo, the first player to empty their stock pile wins the game. If you keep score, the winner scores 25, plus 5 for every card still in the other players' stock piles, and the first to 500 wins. Scoring is optional in the rules, and many families play single games without points.

At a glance

• Players: 2 to 6, or teams of two

• Who wins: First to 500 points

• Stock pile: 30 cards each, 20 with 5 or more players

• Scored: After each game, by the winner only

How the winner scores

A game ends the moment someone plays the last card from their stock pile. Only that player scores.

Say the other players have 6, 9 and 14 cards left in their stock piles. That's 29 cards at 5 points, so the winner scores 25 + 145 = 170.

When the game ends

Write the winner's points after each game and keep a running total. The first player to reach 500 wins the match.

Only the winner scores, so two players can never pass 500 in the same game. There's no tie to break.

Playing without points? Then the first player to empty their stock pile wins, and that's the game. Points are there for a longer match.

Stock pile sizes and the short game

• 2 to 4 players: 30 cards in each stock pile.

• 5 or more players: 20 cards each.

• Short game: 10 cards each. The scoring stays the same, so each win is worth less. Agree a lower target if you like.

Playing in teams

With partners, you can play from your own stock and discard piles and from your partner's. The game ends when both stock piles of one team are empty.

Score it the same way: 25 for the winning team, plus 5 for each card left in the other team's stock piles.

What people often get wrong

• Only stock piles count. Cards in your hand and on your discard piles don't score, for you or against you.

• Losers don't lose points. Everyone except the winner scores 0 for that game.

• A Skip-Bo card is wild in play, but left in a stock pile it's worth 5, like any other card.

A scoring example

Three players with 30-card stock piles, three games. The second column shows how many cards the other two still had in their stock piles when the winner went out.

Game 1: Ana won with 19 cards left in the other stock piles, so 25 + 95 = 120. Game 2: Cleo won with 13 left, so 25 + 65 = 90. Game 3: Ana again, with 18 left, so 25 + 90 = 115.

Ana leads with 235. Ben hasn't won a game yet, so he's still on 0. The first to 500 wins.

Keep score in Tallynight

Skip-Bo isn't one of Tallynight's built-in games yet, but it takes a minute to set up. Choose Something else, then Rounds, with the highest score winning, and Play to a target of 500.

After each game, type the winner's points and 0 for everyone else. Add it to your favourites and it's ready next time.

• Type each game's points on one keypad

• Offers to end the match when someone reaches 500

• Tap any game to fix it

• A winner card with a podium for the family chat

• Get Tallynight on the App Store: free, no ads.

• Print a Skip-Bo score sheet if you'd rather keep score on paper.

Questions

How do you score in Skip-Bo?

The player who empties their stock pile first scores 25, plus 5 points for each card left in the other players' stock piles. Everyone else scores 0, and the first to 500 wins.

How many points do you need to win Skip-Bo?

500. Scoring is optional, though: without points, whoever empties their stock pile first wins that game.

How many cards are in each Skip-Bo stock pile?

30 each with 2 to 4 players, and 20 each with 5 or more. For a short game, deal 10 each.

Do cards in your hand count against you in Skip-Bo?

No. Only cards left in stock piles count, and they score for the winner. Cards in hands and discard piles are worth nothing.

Can you play Skip-Bo in teams?

Yes. Partners can play from each other's stock and discard piles, and the game ends when both of one team's stock piles are empty. The winning team scores 25 plus 5 for each card left in the other team's stock piles.

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