I’ve been obsessed with Skyjo ever since my family brought it to our reunion last summer. It’s a simple, yet fun drafting game where the lowest score wins.
And whenever I find a new game I enjoy, I like to think and explore other games with similar elements.
You might as well! So take a look at my choice for card games like Skyjo to see what you should check out next if you want to keep the fun going on.
We’ll cover each game with a *very* brief description.
These games were picked because of combinations of similarities to Skyjo in:
- Simple concept
- Similar rules / concepts
- Mix of luck and strategy
- Card drafting
- Fast-paced game
Table of Contents
Card Games Like Skyjo Compared
Before we get into all of these games, take a quick look at this table for a direct comparison of the ones on the list.
| Name | # of Players | Complexity | Time to Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNO | 2-10 | Easy | 20-30 mins |
| Phase 10 | 2-6 | Medium | 30-60 mins |
| Sushi Go! | 2-5 (or 2-8 with party edition) | Easy-Medium | 15-20 mins |
| Skip-Bo | 2-6 | Easy-Medium | 20-30 mins |
| Dutch Blitz | 2-4 (more with multiple decks) | Medium | 15-30 mins |
| 6 nimmt! (Category 5) | 2-10 | Easy | 20-30 mins |
| Exploding Kittens | 2-5 (or up to 10 with expansions) | Easy | 15-20 mins |
| Fluxx | 2-6 | Medium | 10-40 mins (Varies by version) |
| Sleeping Queens | 2-5 | Easy | 10-20 mins |
| Love Letter | 2-4 | Easy-Medium | 15-20 mins |
| Rat-a-Tat Cat | 2-6 | Easy | 15 mins |
| Mille Bornes | 2-6 | Medium | 30-45 mins |
| Golf – The Card Game | 2-6 | Easy | 10-20 mins |
| Coloretto | 2-5 | Easy | 20-30 mins |
#1 UNO
UNO is a matching card game where players aim to be the first to discard all their cards.
They must match the top card of the discard pile either by number, color, or symbol. Special action cards like Skip, Reverse, and Wild add twists to the gameplay.
#2 Phase 10
Phase 10 involves players attempting to complete ten varied sequences of cards, called phases. Each round, players aim to complete the current phase by collecting specific sets or runs.
Failing to complete a phase in one round means trying again in the next.
#3 Sushi Go!
In Sushi Go!, players select cards that represent different sushi dishes, aiming to create the most valuable combinations.
This is a “card-drafting” game; after selecting a card, players pass the remainder to their neighbor. Combining certain dishes yields more points, strategizing is essential.
#4 Skip-Bo
Skip-Bo revolves around creating sequences of cards in ascending order from 1 to 12. Players use a personal stockpile, trying to play these cards onto shared building piles.
The Skip-Bo card serves as a wild card, representing any number, facilitating the sequencing.
#5 Dutch Blitz
Dutch Blitz is a fast-paced game where players race to play their cards onto shared play areas.
The goal is to get rid of cards by placing them in ascending order, separated by color and symbol. Speed, alertness, and quick reflexes are key to winning.
#6 6 nimmt! (Category 5)
Players sequentially place cards in rows. If you play the sixth card in any row, you must pick up all the cards in that row, accumulating negative points.
The objective is to avoid collecting cards, with the lowest score winning after several rounds.
#7 Exploding Kittens
A card game of strategy and luck. Players draw cards, trying to avoid the Exploding Kitten card.
Use various action cards to skip turns, peek at the deck, or relocate the exploding card. Last player remaining who hasn’t drawn an Exploding Kitten wins.
#8 Fluxx
In Fluxx, the rules and goals continuously evolve. Starting with basic actions, players play cards that change the game’s mechanics, making it unpredictable.
The objectives to win constantly shift, demanding adaptability from players.
#9 Sleeping Queens
Designed for kids, this card game involves players attempting to awaken 12 queens from their slumbers.
Use knights to wake them, while dodging dragons, potions, and jesters. Simple arithmetic aids decision-making. First to wake a specific number of queens or earn a point total wins.
#10 Love Letter
A game of risk, deduction, and luck set in a courtly setting. Players vie for the princess’s favor by ensuring their love letter reaches her while intercepting others’.
Each card has special abilities, and careful strategy determines which card to play or discard. The highest valued card at round’s end wins.
#11 Rat-a-Tat Cat
In Rat-a-Tat Cat, players seek to end the round with the lowest score by skillfully swapping and collecting cards.
Memory plays a crucial role as players try to minimize the numbers on their cards while deducing which cards their opponents have.
#12 Mille Bornes
Mille Bornes, a classic French card game, sees players racing to travel 1000 miles.
They play distance cards while strategically deploying hazard cards, like flat tires or speed limits, to impede their opponents. Remedies and safety cards counter these obstacles, adding to the strategic depth.
#13 Golf – The Card Game
Golf is a card game where players aim for the lowest score, much like its namesake sport. Players have a grid of cards, some face down, and they strategically swap cards, trying to get low-valued sets or runs, while avoiding penalty cards which increase scores.
Related Reading: Skyjo Vs. Golf Comparison
#14 Coloretto
Coloretto revolves around collecting cards of the same color. Players draw cards, deciding where to place them among several rows.
The challenge lies in deciding when to take a row, aiming for maximum points in a few colors, but minimizing penalties from unwanted sets.
