Playing guide
These options and rules describe the current JoyPip version. Choose a mode above before starting; rules are also available during play.
Step-by-step examples
Select a step to see what changes. These are partial examples, not full starting positions.
Practice options
- Players
- 2 players · 3 players · 4 players · 5 players
- Target score
- 100 points · 200 points
- Bot skill
- Beginner · Normal · Expert
Private room options
- Players
- 2 players · 3 players · 4 players · 5 players
- Target score
- 100 points · 200 points
Detailed rules and controls
Scoring
- The first player to empty their hand wins the round and scores the total value of the cards left in everyone else's hands.
- Card values: 8s are 50 points; K, Q and J are 10 each; A is 1; 2 through 10 are worth their face value.
- Blocked: when nobody can play or draw, the round ends. The player with the lowest hand value wins and scores the sum of the differences between their hand and each other player's; if several players tie for lowest, each of them scores that amount.
- The game ends when someone's total reaches the target score. The highest total wins; players tied for the top score share the win.
Stock
- Once the stock runs out, it isn't refilled and the discard pile is not reshuffled: if you can't play, you pass, so a block can only happen after that.
- If the starter card turned up at the start is an 8, it goes back into the stock and another card is turned up.
Controls
- Playable cards are highlighted; dimmed cards can't be played now.
- Select a card, then tap “Play cards”; when playing an 8, choose the suit to name.
- After drawing a playable card, tap “Play this card” to play it right away, or tap “Keep it.”
- If you have no playable card, you draw automatically; if there's nothing left to draw, you pass automatically.
- In the middle of the table, from left to right, are the stock, the top card of the discard pile and the current suit. A suit shown with a gold border and an 8 was named by whoever played the 8.
Frequently asked questions
Why can an 8 be played at any time?
The next player has one card left; you hold an 8 and several hearts, and the top card is the 4♥. Play a heart first and save the 8 for when you have nothing else to play. When you do play the 8, name the suit you hold the most of, or a suit the next player just couldn't follow.
Do I need a download or a linked email?
Play directly in your browser without a download. Linking email is an optional way to recover your account. Before clearing browser data, consider whether you need to keep your account or local records.
Do matches earn or spend coins?
Earn coins by checking in and spend them on cosmetics. Matches never cost or award coins.