Phase 10
2-6
8+
30+
Phase 10 is a Rummy Type Card Game with challenging and exciting twists! The object of the game is to complete each of the ten specific phases. If you complete the phase you advance to the next phase, but if you do not you must try again.
User Reviews (12)
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When I first joined this site, I spent time looking through all of the wonderful games on the list, some in fond remembrance, others in a hope to purchase, others with firm knowledge of what the game has to offer. To say I was surprised to see Phase 10 on the list goes almost without saying! Phase 10 was one of the bestselling card games in history, right behind Uno. Fundex sold more than 32 million units of it alone! The game is now sold by Mattell who purchased the game from Fundex in 2010 and you can find it in practically every store that has games.
This game should probably be evaluated according to a different set of parameters than most games on the list. It’s not a Gamer type of game. There is no combat. No explosions, implied or otherwise. It’s an old fashioned trick taking game. You could imagine it alongside of Whist or Bridge.
Now, if that didn’t scare you off, the real review can begin! (Lol)
Phase 10 plays in a number of rounds in which, on each round players try to meet the current requirements of the Phase they are on in order to proceed. The beginning of the game, the Phase is really simple – get 2 Sets of 3. A set is any three cards of the same color. So for example, if you have 3 yellow and 3 blue cards, you have the first Phase done. It’s really easy to pass the first few phases, not so much in later phases when you have to get runs (cards of the same color in a series of numbers, for example 2-5 of blue) and sets or a really long run.
The players will soon be on different phases and to add to the fun, you can play cards against another person’s completed phases, adding to the points the opponents have at the end game. The points are only for tie breakers and the fewer points the better.
Phase 10 is based on a rummy variant called Liverpool rummy and has been around since 1982 in its current form. There is also a Phase 10 dice variant with the same system, structure and feel that, if you like this sort of game, you should really check out.
Phase 10 is one of those games I used to play with my parents back 20 years ago. We enjoyed it so much we had both card and dice versions and played it frequently. My wife and I have it now although we admittedly only pull it out once or twice a year. Its surprisingly fun to make phases and ‘hit’ your opponents’ phases. If rummy games are your thing, this is definitely a game you should check out. With that being said, not everyone in this community will appreciate this type of gaming but if you do, Phase 10 is well balanced and a lot of fun!
Like many of the other reviewers I use phase 10 as one of my intro games for newcomers to gaming. I have played it with my grandchildren when they were 8 and slightly under and two of my best fiends who are 78 & 79 (Ok I lied about the 80).
As others have stated it is a card game of rounds of set building. Each being progressively harder to achieve. One well known YouTube game reviewer hates the game becasue each player may be working on a different set in any given round. I find this the best part of the game. It causes a lot of table talk especially with the older crowd complaining how one player is so far ahead of the others. Then in a few rounds they draw even after the leader failed to make the required set to move on.
The true beauty of the game is it goes anywhere becasue of it’s compact size. I have played it on planes, in airports, on the beach in Maui, in a hospital room and of course on game night with many of my friends. When I say many, I have played it with well over 50 different people. It is without a doubt my wife’s favorite game. Well maybe tied with Carcassonne.
WE have 4 decks of phase 10.
One in the house
One for vacations (we leave it in the suitcase so we do not forget it.)
One at the summer house
One more in the car just in case we can’t find one of the other copies
Try it you will also become a fan.
I first played Phase 10 over 20 years ago. At the time, I thought it was pretty clever with a novel concept. The card game requires players to complete 10 specific sets (phases) of cards. The first player to do so wins the game. Phase 10 is not a bad game, and it is not without merit. It’s like Yahtzee with cards instead of dice. Be the first to get all of the required sets, and win the game.
Phase ten is quite simple to teach and play; kids as young as eight should grasp it. It takes a bit longer than a round of Uno, and games with several players tend to drag a bit as players await their turn. I try and use games like Uno and phase 10 as teaching tools. Anyone who has played either of these department store card games can learn more sophisticated cards games like Coloretto, Love Letter, or even Dominion. The latter are no more difficult than the former, they are simply lesser known (to non-gamers anyway).
I have said in prior reviews that playing games is good for board gaming. If I can get one or more persons to sit and play a card or board game, I have the chance to make them a serious board game fan. Phase 10 is far from my favorite, and it is very seldom played at my house. But, it was engaging and fun when I played it long ago. I play better games now, and my tastes continue to evolve as I do and have done.
Phase 10, for 2-6 players, is very easy to learn and works well with any number of players. The deck consists of cards numbered 1 through 12 in four different colors (red, yellow, green, and blue). There are also wild cards, which can be substituted for any card you choose, and skip cards which can be used to force another player to lose their turn that round.
There are 10 phases to complete-
1. Two sets of three
2. One set of three and one run of four
3. One set of four and one run of four
4. One run of seven
5. One run of eight
6. One run of nine
7. Two sets of four
8. Seven cards of one color
9. One set of five and one set of two
10. One set of five and one set of three
A set consists of cards of the same number (1,1,1 or 2,2,2 etc.). A run consists of cards in sequential order (1,2,3,4 or 4,5,6,7, etc.).
The object of the game is to be the first to complete all 10 phases.
Setup
The game is played in rounds. To begin, shuffle the cards and deal 10 to each player face down. Place the remaining cards (face down) in the middle of the table. This creates your draw pile. Flip the top card over and place it face up beside the draw pile. This creates your discard pile.
Game Play
Going around the table, each person draws one card (from the discard or draw pile) and discards one card. Once you have all the cards needed to complete a phase, lay those cards face up in front of you. Once you have completed your phase, you can then play cards from your hand that add onto the cards you or any other player have laid down. Play continues with each player drawing and discarding a card each round until one player has no cards left. All players who completed their phase during that round continue to the next phase for the next round. All players who did not complete their phase during that round must attempt the same phase again until they complete it.
Scoring
Scoring is only needed to break a tie in the event that two players both complete all 10 phases during the same round. In that case, the player with the lowest score is the winner. Points are calculated as follows- the first person to go during a round scores zero for that round. All other players must add the cards remaining in their hand to calculate their score for the round. Cards 1-9 are worth 5 points, cards 10-12 are worth 10 points, skip cards are worth 15 points, and wild cards are worth 25 points.
Variations
There are several different editions which change up the rules a bit. I have Phase 10 Master’s Edition, which allows you to choose which phase you want to work on in that round, instead of going in the usual order. There is also a Phase 10 dice edition, an app version, and desktop version. Different rules are also available online for the original version which can add some variety without the need to purchase other editions.
Thoughts
Phase 10 can be a fun game for those who enjoy more casual games. For those who want a lot of strategy or depth, this game would not work well, since Phase 10 relies heavily on luck. This is not a game I normally reach for anymore, but it’s fun to play every now and then. Especially when you’re with groups of friends and family who aren’t really into games, this is an easy one to get them to play. Since it doesn’t require much strategy, this would good to play when you’re in the mood for something more laid back.
This game eventually comes out EVERY time my friends or I have a get together. I think everyone in our group owns a deck at this point. Normally we play with 6-8 adults and it’s always a lot of fun.
The game play is simple. There are 10 phases and the first person to complete all 10 phases wins. If two or more people complete the phase at the same time, the person with the lowest score wins. A phase is equivalent to a meld in Rummy 500. For example, two sets of three of a kind is the first phase. A round ends when a player plays all of their cards, melding first then building on other melds later. Players get penalized points for each card they hold at the end of a round. In each new round, players who completed the phase move onto the next phase, players who don’t will repeat the phase until they complete it. It’s difficult to remember all ten phases so you will need to refer to them constantly throughout the game.
Not everyone likes to play complex games that take time to set up. If you are looking for an easy game to learn and play with family or non-hardcore gamers, this is a good choice.
There are 10 different goals (or phases) you are trying to get to win the game (i.e. run of 4, set of 3; 7 cards of same color). You must do each phase in order and the first one to complete all 10 wins the game. Play moves around the table and players pick up cards from the stack and discard to get the desired cards.
The more people you can get to play, the better the game is (and the longer it takes). It can get old if you play it frequently, but is great for a change-up.
A fun family game for sure.
Merges Rummy and Uno with a twist on points.
The points are bad!
They are only relevant in a tie though.
If you are sitting down with the kids, for sure this is a winner.
Engages the mind on a simple level and slows down the adults at higher levels to let the kids catch up of course!
It’s mostly in the luck of the draw tho being a card game.
Might be good too if you are trying to lure in people to the group.
Start here and progress thru some fast casual games, move into Samurai or Munchkin to add the notion of levels and keep them laughing and before you know it, geekdom is fully embraced!
A must have if you are dealing with a tight budget, have ten bucks, and want to kill the TV for a bunch!
Phase 10 is one of the games that looks good on paper, and admittedly, it is a fun game, but in order to win, you really need to set aside a long amount of time to play with groups over 4 players. The game takes your standard Rummy rules and throws a couple spins on them and pools them all together for it’s victory condition. The problem is that when a large group is at the table and everyone is trying to complete their phases, it winds up taking forever because of the nature of the game.
If you have fun playing Rummy type games, and you keep your group small, this is a fun new take on some old classics.
Phase 10 is a game that I played a lot with my wife when we were newly married (that and Canasta). My wife is a big fun of rummy style games, so this was a hit.
The game requires players to complete all phases first to be the winner. Each phase has certain criteria that must be met in some form of a set, run, or run and set in your hand. Those phases get progressively more difficult to complete as you move up in phases. It interesting how some people are lucky enough to move up quickly, then get bogged down on a phase allowing others to catch up.
It is also a game of give and take, because people can pick up your discards. So you have to be careful trying to figure out what to discard and know what phase each player is trying to complete.
It’s a decent game. Works great for casual gamers and families.
I remember learning Phase 10 about the age of 12 or so, and have played it countless times since. My family and I would spend hours playing against each other at the beach, and everyone from my grandmother to my cousins now play when we all get together for the holidays. While the game is aged for players 12 and up, I really think that games are more fun when played exclusively with a group of adults. This will always be a favorite of mine and the go-to game for my family.
This one’s been around a while, but still fun. This can be played by young and old alike. If you have some time to kill (’cause this one can take a while), this is a fun game that builds and builds and builds. One potential weakness it has its that it can get monotonous. We’ve played it before to where we’ll stop where we’re at and pick the game up sometime later in the week.
It is a basic collecting game of sets and runs, but plus a wild card and skips.