Go Fish

Ready to learn some Go Fish Rules and Strategies?

The object of Go Fish is to create “books,” or groups of four cards of the same rank (e.g., the same number). At the start of each game, each player is dealt 5-7 cards, depending on how many are present. Moving clockwise, each player will have a turn asking one of the other players if they have a particular card.

For example, if you have two 4s in your starting hand, you can ask another player if they have any 4s in their hand. If they do, they must give you all the 4s they have, and you can continue asking them (or another player) for other cards. If they don’t, then they will say, “Go Fish,” and your turn ends after drawing one card from the draw pile. Once all 13 books have been made, the game ends, and the winner (with the most books) is declared.

Luck, Skill, or Both?

It might seem like all luck on the surface, but actually, online Go Fish is just as much a game of skill. If you really want to gain an edge, pay close attention to which cards your opponents have and don’t have, even when it’s not your turn. Keep your eyes open and your memory sharp, and you can create the ultimate Go Fish game strategy!

Keep Fishing: Check Out Our Top-Rated Game Selection

If you’re like us, you could play this Go Fish card game all day. But thanks to Arkadium’s full selection of free online games, from strategy games to card games and much more, you can keep the variety coming. Wherever you land, don’t forget to share your strategies and your conquests in the comments.

Some say 16th-century Italy, others say 19th-century Britain and others claim that Go Fish was invented by an American in 1984. The origins of this simple card game may be cloudy, but one thing is clear: it’s definitely a hit. And with all the hours of matching fun that this classic brings, what’s not to like?

Playing Go Fish Online or in person, it’s a favorite among young and old alike for its lighthearted and straightforward gameplay. As long as you’ve got a full deck of cards and at least two people, you can deal up and play an entire game in just 10-15 minutes.

The best thing about Go Fish is how the gameplay accommodates advanced and simple strategies. You can play casually and rely sheerly on luck or make it more competitive with the help of a sophisticated strategy. This will prepare you to play Hearts and other more complex games like Euchre online.

This game is operated by World of Card Games. You can read their privacy policy here and terms of service here.