How to Play Mao

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Learn the rules of the game of mao (but keep it hush hush)
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The game of Mao is equally fun as it is frustrating. Similar to Uno, the object of Mao is to get rid of all your cards first. Unfortunately, this game revolves around a set of unspoken rules that each player must deduce during the game, or else risk picking up extra cards as penalties. There is no official set of established “rules” for the game, but there are a few common ones that most players follow. [1] Do your best to stay on your toes so you can come out unscathed in this secretive card game.

Disclaimer: The written rules of Mao aren't supposed to be read. By reading this article, you're technically violating this unwritten rule.

Mao Card Game Basics

  • The objective: To get rid of the cards in your hand first
  • Number of players: At least 3
  • What you’ll need: A deck of cards
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Reviewing Basic Gameplay

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  1. Shuffle a regular deck of playing cards, allowing 1 player to evenly distribute 3 cards face-down to each player. [2] Don’t touch any of your cards until the dealer officially states that the round has started, or else you’ll be charged with a penalty.
    • You can deal 7 cards per player if you’d like to make the game a little easier.
  2. Keep the rest of the cards in the center of the table so all the players can draw from the pile throughout the game. Take the top card and flip it over next to the deck so you can start gameplay. [3]
    • If you run out of cards in the draw pile, shuffle the discarded cards and place them in the center of the play area. Once again, flip over the top card and place it face-up.
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  3. The game of Mao follows a lot of strict rules, including when gameplay can actually start. Wait for the dealer to say “the name of the game is Mao,” and then the player to the left can start the game. [4]
  4. Look through your hand and see if any of your cards match the face-up card in the center of the table. Pick out a card that matches either the suit or face/number on the card that’s face-up. Place your designated card in the pile so that gameplay can continue. [5]
    • For instance, if the center card is a red 10 of hearts, you can put down a card that’s part of the heart suit, or another 10 card.
    • You can place a Joker card on top of any face card, but not on top of any numerical cards. The gameplay will follow the suit of the card that’s under the Joker.
  5. Look through your deck and see if you have any numerical or suit matches in your hand. If you don’t have any playable cards, pick up an additional card from the center pile and add it to your hand. This will count as your play for the turn. [6]
  6. Keep going around the circle of players in a consistent, clockwise direction unless the gameplay changes. Keep in mind that there are certain rules that may cause a player to lose their turn, or that may cause the order of play to be reversed. [7]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Memorizing Unspoken Rules

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  1. Keep in mind that the rules of Mao differ between different players, and there’s no singular, official version of the game. If no one is familiar with the game, let 1 player review the rules before the game starts. If needed, players can call a point of order to clarify anything confusing. [8]
    • If you’re playing with an experienced Mao player, you can follow the rules that they’re familiar with.
  2. Keep a close eye on the different cards as they’re put down. In most games, an ace signifies that the next player’s turn will be skipped. If the next player doesn’t abide by this rule, you can charge them with a penalty for continuing to play. [9]
  3. Place down a second card if you play a 2. However, the second card has to match the suit or numerical/face value of the previous card.
    • For instance, if a player puts down a 2 but doesn’t have any other playable cards, then their turn ends.
    • Face value refers to a Jack, Queen, or King.
  4. Note that a 7 card in Mao is similar to the “plus 2” cards in Uno. If you fail to draw a card, then other players have the right to penalize you.
    • The only exception to this rule is if you have a 7 in your hand. You can play this 7, and the penalty will be transferred to the next player, who then has to pick up 2 cards.
    • The player who puts down the 7 should say “have a nice day” before ending their turn. If you put down a second 7, you should say “have a very nice day” to the next player.
  5. Note that the 8 card is equivalent to the Uno reverse card. If gameplay is going clockwise when an 8 is put down, switch so the game is played counterclockwise.
    • If a player doesn’t reverse after an 8 is put down, then they qualify for a penalty.
  6. Compare the Jack card to a wild card in Uno. The player who puts down the Jack can declare a new suit for gameplay, and then the game continues as usual. If the original player doesn’t declare a suit, another player can call out a new suit instead. [10]
    • When declaring, just say the suit aloud, like "hearts." That way, it adds more confusion.
  7. Say the name of the card with the suit, like “Queen of Spades” or “3 of spades.” If you don’t list out the full name of the card, you can be penalized. [11]
  8. Similar to Uno, you have to declare when you have a single card left in your deck. If you don’t say “one card” out loud before your turn ends, then another player can declare a penalty.
    • Keep an eye on how many cards each player has left in their hand. If it looks like they’re getting low, they may be saying “one card” soon.
  9. Participate in “two-it,” a rule that allows you to put an identical card down on the pile, even if it’s not your turn. Don‘t use a “two-it” to get rid of your last card, or else you’ll qualify for a 5-card penalty.
    • For example, if a player puts down a 9 of clubs, you can also put down a 9 of clubs, even if it’s not your turn.
    • Keep in mind that if you’re only playing with 1 deck, you won’t have any identical cards.
  10. In the name of sportsmanship, the game of Mao requires that all players thank one another once they’re given penalties. Let the penalizing player in question know that you graciously accept their penalty. If you don’t, you’ll have to pick up an additional card.
    • For instance, you can say “Thank you for the penalty” or something similar.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Dealing with Penalties

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  1. Keep a close eye on the other players to make sure they aren’t breaking any of the unspoken rules. If you notice a rule being broken, interrupt the game by saying “penalty for” and then list the penalty that the player did. Don’t state the rule that was broken—just let the other player know that their move was illegal.
    • For instance, if someone puts down an 8, the gameplay needs to reverse immediately. If the next player continues to play in the same direction, you can say “penalty for putting down a card.” This helps keep the rules anonymous to new players while enforcing the parameters of the game.
  2. Grab a new card and add it to your hand anytime you’re called out for breaking a rule. Keep in mind that 1 card is the standard penalty, but certain penalties can require you to draw more cards.
  3. Call a point of order as a sort of “time-out” for the game. At this point, all players need to put their cards face-down in the play area. No one is allowed to touch their cards until the “end point of order” is stated by the original player.
    • If you touch your cards during a point of order, you need to draw a card as a penalty.
    • Any player can call a point of order, which will pause the game and temporarily suspend the rules. Use a point of order if you need to clarify part of the game to another player, or if you need to take a break for some reason. [12]
  4. When you’re putting down the last numerical card, Joker, Ace, King, or Queen in your hand, say “Mao” as you get rid of your last card. If you’re getting rid of a Jack as your final card, say “Mao Mao” instead. If you forget to say “Mao” or “Mao Mao,” you’ll be charged with a penalty and have to draw a new card.
    • If you say “Mao” or “Mao Mao” when it’s not your turn, you have to pick up 5 cards.
  5. Avoid putting another Jack on top of a Jack, if you can. Though Jacks represent wild cards, you’ll invoke a 3-card penalty if you play 2 Jacks in a row.
  6. Do your best to keep things clean, even if you’re feeling frustrated. While it’s perfectly normal to feel irritated during a game of Mao, express your annoyance in a clean way. If you curse at any point, you need to pick up an extra card. [13]
    • This is a preset rule, not an unspoken one. Remind all players to keep it clean before the game starts!
  7. Don’t ask about any of the rules or try to help another player out, no matter how frustrating the game may seem. If you do this, you’ll have to add an extra card to your hand. [14]
    • Mao may be a frustrating game at first, but it’ll get easier as you play more games!
    • If you really need to explain the game, call a point of order before doing so.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How many rules do we start with?
    Janice Tieperman
    Community Answer
    You can start with as many rules as you’d like! There’s no official handbook to Mao, so you can make up new rules for your game, if you’d like.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question
    Can I change the game play depending on how I see fit?
    Janice Tieperman
    Community Answer
    If you want, yes! There’s not hard and fast set of rules for Mao, and individual players can customize the game to their own preferences.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
  • Question
    When you answer our question about the game, don't you technically tell us a rule of the game?
    Janice Tieperman
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it’s impossible for players to understand or enjoy the game if at least 1 person doesn’t have a comfortable understanding of how the game works. If multiple players are confused about the game, you can always call a point of order in the middle of the round.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Tips

      • You may want to use multiple decks if you’re playing with a lot of people. [15]
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      • There is no official set of rules to the game of Mao. You can create your own at any time, as long as the other players are okay with you making new rules for the game. [16]
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      • If you’d like, encourage the dealer to make up new rules during the game to make things extra tricky. [17]
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Make a rule along the lines of "If X happens, then do Y." When someone breaks the rule, you can tell them only that they were penalized for not doing Y. They still have to figure out what triggers that rule to come into effect.
      • You can also say "coffee break" instead of "point of order"—or really any phrase, as long as everyone playing the game knows what the phrase means, when to say it, and what to do when it's said.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://gamerules.com/rules/mao-card-game/
      2. ↑ https://gamerules.com/rules/mao-card-game
      3. ↑ https://gamerules.com/rules/mao-card-game/
      4. ↑ https://gamerules.com/rules/mao-card-game/
      5. ↑ https://gamerules.com/rules/mao-card-game/
      6. ↑ https://gamerules.com/rules/mao-card-game/
      7. ↑ https://gamerules.com/rules/mao-card-game/
      8. ↑ https://gamerules.com/rules/mao-card-game/
      9. ↑ http://www.mu.org/~doug/mao/maorules.html
      1. ↑ http://www.mu.org/~doug/mao/maorules.html
      2. ↑ http://www.mu.org/~doug/mao/maorules.html
      3. ↑ http://www.mu.org/~doug/mao/maorules.html
      4. ↑ https://gamerules.com/rules/mao-card-game/
      5. ↑ https://gamerules.com/rules/mao-card-game/
      6. ↑ https://gamerules.com/rules/mao-card-game/
      7. ↑ https://gamerules.com/rules/mao-card-game/
      8. ↑ https://gamerules.com/rules/mao-card-game/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Mao is part card game and part prank, and is best played with 4-5 players. The objective is to get rid of all your cards, but new players can’t be told any rules. Instead, they have to figure out the rules as they go! To start, pick a dealer to enforce the rules. Deal each player 6 cards and place the remainder of the deck in the center of the playing area to be used as penalty cards. Next, flip one card face-up next to the deck. The first player can play any card matching the suit or value of the top card, thus replacing the current top card. If they have no matching cards, they draw a card from the penalty stack. Then the next player to their right tries to match the top card. Play continues like this around the circle. Other common rules include no talking except when required by another rule, thanking the dealer when given a penalty card, and calling out Mao when you have one card left. If a rule is broken, anybody can award a penalty card by stating what was done to deserve the penalty. For example, somebody might say “Failure to say ‘have a nice day’” after awarding a penalty card. To resolve a dispute over penalties, any player can announce a “point of order.” Then, all players must put down their cards to discuss the penalty. Players cannot talk about the rules directly during a point of order, or even touch their cards. When somebody calls “point of disorder,” play resumes. Other common optional rules include reversing play when an 8 is played, playing an Ace to skip the next player's turn, and calling out a new suit of your choice when you play a Jack. Once a round is over, the winner makes up a new secret rule and tells it to the dealer. Then a new round begins.

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      • Patrick Purciful

        May 11, 2016

        "I had played this as a kid and thought of it recently but didn't know the rules. This guide was incredibly ..." more
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