When my family introduced me to this new game of Skyjo they loved this summer, I was real excited.
I’m always up to learn a new game, especially one recommended by my family. They have great taste!
But when I played it, I couldn’t help but think of the card game Golf.
They were so similar, it blew my mind!
To illustrate my point, I decided to make this Skyjo vs. Golf comparison article to show others what to look for, including how the games are the same and different.
Let’s deal the cards!
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison: Skyjo Vs. Golf
| Element | Skyjo | Golf |
|---|---|---|
| Deck | Special deck made for the game | Any deck of cards (or multiples) including the Jokers |
| Card Values | The number value is worth the points from -2 through 12 (including zero 0) | Kings are worth zero (0), Queen-Jack-10 are 10, numbers are their value, Jokers are -10 |
| Layout | 12 cards face-down in a 4×3 grid, two random cards flipped face up to start the game | 6 cards in a 3 x 2 grid, the two middle cards flipped face up to start the game; this does change based on house rules |
| Goal/Winning Condition | The lowest score at the end of the game wins; the game is over when one person reaches a score of 100 | The lowest score at the end of the game wins; the game is over when either 9 or 18 “holes” or rounds have been played |
| Ending A Round | When someone flips up their last card, everyone else gets one more turn. If the one who went out doesn’t have the lowest count, they double their points. | When someone flips up their last cards, everyone else gets one more turn. Then, points are added to your total. |
| Special Rules | If you draw a card and don’t use it (discard it right away), you must flip up a face-down card of your choice. If you make three cards in a column match values, that column is eliminated and counts as zero. | If two cards in a vertical column match, the column now counts as zero points. If you match four cards over two vertical columns, you get a -40 point bonus. This doesn’t apply to Kings (0) or Jokers. |
Related Reading: What is the meaning of Skyjo?
Is Skyjo Like Golf? Similarities Explained
Winning Conditions
In both Skyjo and Golf, the ultimate goal is paradoxical to many other games: players aim for the lowest score possible.
This shared objective is a delightful twist that challenges the conventional mindset.
While in most games, a high score equates to victory, here, it’s the player with the least points at the end who wears the crown.
This inversion of winning conditions adds an intriguing layer of strategy and decision-making.
Ending The Round
The termination of a round in both games hinges on the cards’ face-up status. In Skyjo, a round concludes when a player has all their cards revealed.
Golf, too, marches to a similar beat. A round ends when all players have their cards face-up, often following a fixed number of turns.
This reveal-based round conclusion is a pulse-raiser, keeping everyone on edge, as the flip of a card could change the game’s landscape.
Flow Of Each Turn
The heartbeat of both Skyjo and Golf is found in the rhythm of each turn. Players draw a card and then face a decision: replace one of their face-down cards or discard it?
This seemingly simple choice is the crux of strategy and tension in both games. But here’s the clincher: once a card is turned face-up, there’s no going back.
In Golf, you can either draw from the deck or pick the top card of the discard pile. Skyjo incorporates this same mechanic, adding another layer of decision-making.
How Are Skyjo And Golf Different?
While Skyjo and Golf share some undeniable parallels, they also have distinct differences that set them apart. Let’s shine a light on those unique elements that make each game stand on its own.
Deck Used
Firstly, the deck itself. Skyjo uses a specialized deck with cards ranging from -2 to 12. It’s a quirky range, bringing in the fun twist of negative numbers.
Golf, on the other hand, typically uses a standard 52-card deck.
While both games revolve around numbers, the inclusion of negatives in Skyjo adds a fresh layer of strategy.
Penalty For End of Round
In Golf, there is no special penalty for the end of the round. You just add up your score and combine with your standing total.
In Skyjo, you have to be more careful! If you’re the player who went out (flipped your last card first), you are defending your decision.
If you don’t have the lowest count, then you get penalized by doubling your points for the round!
This took me some getting used to. I got stung a couple of times by this rule this past summer!
In Golf, if I’m ahead, then I’ll go out quickly to prevent anyone else from getting negative bonuses. But if I did this in Skyjo, I may end up sticking myself with some terrible penalties!
Special Column Elimination Rules
Both games feature a way to lower points by making vertical columns with matching cards.
For example, in Skyjo, if you have three 10s all in the same column, you can collect them up and discard them to remove points!
The same is in Golf. If you have two Jacks (or more depending on your layout) in a column, that now counts as zero (though you don’t actually remove them).
Golf has another special rule. If you create two consecutive columns of ALL the same card, then it counts as a -40!
For example if your hand looked like this:
| Jack | Jack | Four |
| Jack | Jack | Three |
You’d end up with -33 points for the round. -40 for the two columns of matching cards and +7 for the four plus three.
Skyjo doesn’t have this added rule.
Ending The Game
In the card game Golf, the game is over after 9 or 18 rounds. This follows its namesake, Golf. We call these “holes” in the card game too.
Just make sure you decide as a group how many you’ll be playing.
In Skyjo, you need to set a number of rounds or a score you’ll play to.
When playing with my younger kids, we say, “When someone reaches 50 points, the game is over. The person with the lowest score wins!”
But when playing with adults (and things go faster), I’ve done it where we play to 100 points or 6 rounds.
Either way, just decide before you start playing.
Card Layout
In Skyjo, you have a set card layout. You’re playing with a 4×3 grid of card all facedown. Then, you flip over two random cards, anywhere from the grid.
It should look something like this (X is for a facedown card).
| X | X | Six | X |
| X | Five | X | X |
| X | X | X | X |
Skyjo always works this way.
Golf has variations, depending on whom you’re playing with.
Our family does a 3 x 2 grid, and you must flip up the two middle cards. It looks something like this:
| X | King | X |
| X | Eight | X |
