How to Cheat at UNO

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Uno is a fun, exciting card game where the first person to get rid of all their cards is the winner. While Uno is fun to play, some players decide to cheat. To ensure you win no matter what, familiarize with the different cheating techniques so you can watch for other player’s deception. Pay attention to the cards played and you can keep control and get rid of your cards first. Don’t forget to scream, “Uno!” when you only have 1 card left!

Method 1
Method 1 of 6:

Rigging the Deck

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    • This whole section could be deflected if you are caught cheating. Be sneaky and subtle.
  2. Close the door so you won't be seen.
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  3. Separate these cards into as many piles as the amount of people you will be playing with. Put 5 good cards, along with 2 number cards, in the first pile. The other 3 piles should be 6 number cards, with 1 Skip, Reverse, Wild, or Swap Hands card. Do not put any Draw 2 or Draw 4 cards into anyone else's hands.
  4. Set up the playing table (if it's not there already) and put the deck of cards in the middle of the table.
  5. If so, take the first card from the top of the deck, but if its color doesn't match, keep going with the cards until the colors match.
    • If you have all Wilds, Draw 4s, or Swap Hands cards, this step doesn't matter since you can always just change the color.
  6. In the chair you want to sit in, put your deck (the good one) in front of that chair. Put the other decks in front of the other chairs (it doesn't matter which other one goes where).
  7. If anybody questions it, just say you wanted to do a favor for [insert default shuffler/dealer here] so they could have a break.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

Using the “Fake Right, Run Left” Technique

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  1. Direct the other player’s attention to the back of the room to distract them. This way, they won’t notice your tricks. [1]
    • For example, you can point out an insect high up on a wall.
    • In addition, you can scream and point to something behind the other players.
  2. As the other players turn their back, snatch a few cards from their pile. Move your hands very quickly so they don’t see! [2]
    • Do this if you only have cards with numbers on them and need a Wild card or Skip card, for instance.
  3. When the other players turn their back, place a few of your cards from the discard pile. Do this in a very quick motion so they don’t notice movement from behind and catch you. [3]
    • Don’t place all of your cards in the pile so it seems more realistic. Instead, keep 1-3 cards and run out in a couple turns. This way, the other players are less likely to notice your deception.
  4. If the room where you’re playing has many mirrors on the walls, the reflection may blow your cover. Try another cheating method instead. [4]
    • For example, some living rooms and dining rooms are decorated with large, paneled mirrors.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

Doing the “Melon Drop”

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  1. As you play the game, convince the other players that you are goofy and ridiculous. Say silly comments and tease other players, for instance. Act a bit clumsy as well. Then, when you are ready to make your move, lift up both of your arms so you can bump into another player. [5]
    • You can sway from side to side or almost spill your drink.
    • This makes it more convincing when you bump into the other player.
  2. As you wave your arms around, bump into another player to make them drop their cards. As you do this, drop your cards nearby. This way, your cards get mixed up and you can switch some of their cards for your own. [6]
    • Make this look as natural as possible so you don’t get caught. If you look like you are intentionally knocking their cards out, it will not look authentic.
  3. When you knock over their cards, say something like, “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry. Let me get those for you,” and quickly duck under the table. Pick up the cards into 2 loose piles, 1 for you and 1 for the other player. As you do this, select the cards that you want and put them in your pile. Rearrange the cards as quickly as you can. [7]
    • You can also reach for the cards as soon as it happens, though the other player may try to help pick them up.
    • Make sure the other player cannot see you rearranging the cards.
  4. When rearranging the cards, include 1 of your “good” cards, such as a Reverse or Skip card. This way, the other player is not suspicious since you are giving them a “gift.” [8]
    • The other player may interpret the card shuffle as a positive thing in their favor, when in reality you may give them 2-3 extra cards without them noticing.
  5. When you switch the cards, pay attention to the main colors of the other player’s hand. For instance, if the player has a lot of blue cards, give them lots of blue cards. [9]
    • This way, they are less likely to notice you may have snuck a card from them.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

Trying the “Behold the Scarabeaus” Strategy

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  1. To make this as convincing as possible, don’t get rid of all of your cards. Leave 1-3 cards in your hand, and get rid of the others. Do this about half way into the game, so you can accumulate some cards first. [10]
    • If you can, save any powerful cards, such as Wild cards, Reverse cards, or Draw 2 cards.
  2. For an easy option, use a glass soda bottle. Put the bottle across the room in line with the restroom. Without anyone noticing, sneak your cards into your lap in 1 stack, and place them in your hand. Use the sleeve of your jacket to hide the cards, and politely excuse yourself to use the restroom. Then, put the cards inside the bottle when you walk towards the bathroom. [11]
    • This way, you get rid of many of your cards, so you can be the first to say, “UNO.”
    • The item you use will depend on what is available to you. For instance, you can also hide the cards in a cabinet in your bathroom.
    • This requires some sleight of hand.
  3. If someone happens to find your cards inside the bottle, act like you have no idea what they are talking about. Say something like, “How could those get inside there?” [12]
    • Alternatively, get up as soon as you win the game. That way, your trick cannot be discovered.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

Counting Cards

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  1. Make a mental note of each card that is played. This may take some practice, but the more attention you pay to the game, the better your focus will be. [13]
    • Doing this will give you an advantage over the other players.
    • By counting cards, you can learn to predict the moves of other players.
  2. While paying attention to the cards, if you notice 1 player using many of the same color, such as green, use a card to throw them off track. You can use a card with the same number but with a different color, for instance. [14]
    • For example, if 1 player plays a green 7, play a blue 7. This changes the suit from green to blue.
  3. For example, if you notice 1 player has no yellow cards, keep the suit yellow as long as you can. You can maintain the suit by using yellow cards if you have them. [15]
    • This gets rid of your cards while making them draw additional cards.
  4. When it is your turn, select a Wild card to change the color to any suit you’d like. If a player uses many of the same color, use a Wild card to switch the suit. In addition, if you want to keep a color the same as long as you can, play a Wild card to switch the color back. [16]
    • Wild cards are the most powerful card in the game. By using them to your advantage, you can easily win.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

Deflecting Cheating Methods

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  2. This should be an adult or older child who can be fair and track moves accurately. They should use a notepad to record all moves in case anybody gets into a game-related argument. The referee is not a part of regular gameplay, but it is a good idea especially if you have young children who cheat.
  3. This would be terrible if you are caught with cards in your lap as you are about to go out of cards, so this should keep people from cheating.
    • Similarly, there could be a rule that says the person is "out" if they cheat. This is where they are still playing the game, but are ineligible to win, get an Uno, or make other players draw cards. They must forfeit any action cards in their hand upon being caught cheating.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What should I do if another player saw the cards in my lap but kept quiet?
    Artemi
    Top Answerer
    I would be quiet too and hope that they will not say anything. If they confront you after the game, be honest and tell them why you did it. You can possibly get them to cheat with you. They will most likely not tell anyone, but you should not cheat again with the same people if they do not agree with cheating.
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  • Question
    How can I cheat if I dealt the cards?
    Community Answer
    When I dealt the cards, I would put more cards in my opponent's pile and fewer cards in my own. I would also go through the deck before the game, put some good cards on top, and give them to myself.
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  • Question
    Could my whole class play UNO together?
    Community Answer
    Most likely not; a standard UNO deck consists of 108 cards, and a classroom has around 20-30 people on average, so there most likely won't be enough cards to deal to the players. I would buy at least 3 UNO decks if you want to play with that many people.
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      Tips

      • Clear your mind before you play the game. Take 5 minutes to breathe deeply and relax, for instance. This way, you can focus on the game ahead. [17]
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      • There are 108 total cards in the Uno deck. The suits consist of blue, red, yellow, and green. In addition to 1 zero card, there are 2 one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine cards. There are 2 Draw Two cards, 2 Skip cards, and 2 Reverse cards. The deck has 4 Wild cards and 4 Wild Draw Four cards. [18]
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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.
      • If you're playing with just 1 other person, wait and see if they take a bathroom break. While they're gone, switch out the cards in your deck with really good cards, like wild cards or Draw 4s.
      • Offer to shuffle the cards at the beginning of the game. As you do this, rearrange the wild cards to the positions you'd like (so you can easily draw them).
      • Pretend to be angry and annoyed throughout the game when you're cheating. That way, no one will suspect that you're up to anything.
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      Warnings

      • If you cheat at any game, you may lose the trust of your friends or family members.
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      • Avoid bending your cards. Other players can see your cards if you do this, and it can damage the cards.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.unotips.org/cheats.html
      2. ↑ http://www.unotips.org/cheats.html
      3. ↑ http://www.unotips.org/cheats.html
      4. ↑ http://www.unotips.org/cheats.html
      5. ↑ http://www.unotips.org/cheats.html
      6. ↑ http://www.unotips.org/cheats.html
      7. ↑ http://www.unotips.org/cheats.html
      8. ↑ http://www.unotips.org/cheats.html
      9. ↑ http://www.unotips.org/cheats.html
      1. ↑ http://www.unotips.org/cheats.html
      2. ↑ http://www.unotips.org/cheats.html
      3. ↑ http://www.unotips.org/cheats.html
      4. ↑ https://www.unorules.com/best-strategies-to-win-uno/
      5. ↑ https://www.unorules.com/best-strategies-to-win-uno/
      6. ↑ https://www.unorules.com/best-strategies-to-win-uno/
      7. ↑ https://www.unorules.com/best-strategies-to-win-uno/
      8. ↑ http://www.unotips.org/faqs.html
      9. ↑ http://play-k.kaserver5.org/Uno.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you have bad cards in your hand, one sneaky way to cheat at UNO is to drop them in the discard pile and replace them with new cards from the deck when no one’s looking. Try distracting everyone by pointing to something interesting happening out the window or across the room. If you want to get rid of a few cards, drop them in your lap when no one’s looking. Then, hide them up you’re sleeve. You can also use the restroom during the game and hide the cards somewhere there in case someone asks to see in your sleeves. For more tips, including how to count cards while playing UNO, read on!

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