How to play Go Fish

Go Fish is the card game most of us learned first, and it is still one of the best to play with children and grandchildren. You play against one, two or three computer players (Wren, Buck and Tess), or with family over a link, each on their own phone or tablet. The goal is to collect books: all four cards of one number.

The deal

One standard deck of 52 cards. With two or three players each gets 7 cards; with four, 5 cards each.
The rest of the deck is spread face down in the middle: that is the pond.
You go first, then play moves around the table.

A turn

Ask one player for a number you already hold. Tap a card in your hand, then tap the player. "Buck, do you have any 7s?"
If they have any, they must hand over every card of that number, and you go again.
If they have none, they say "Go fish!" and you take the top card of the pond. If it is the number you asked for, you show it and go again. If not, the turn passes to the next player.
As soon as you hold all four cards of a number, the book goes down in front of you.
If you run out of cards, you take one from the pond on your turn and keep playing. When the pond is empty too, you sit out until the end.

Winning

The game ends when all 13 books are down. Whoever has the most books wins; with three or four players two can tie for the most. Seven books always wins.

Tips

Listen. When a player asks for 9s, they hold at least one 9. If you get a 9 later, ask them for it.
Ask the sure thing first. A question you know the answer to keeps your turn going; save the guesses for later.
Every question gives something away. Asking for kings tells the table you hold a king, so the next player may ask you for it.
Ask the full hands. When you have to guess, a player with many cards is more likely to have your number.

Today's deal

The Daily Deal is one game against three computer players, with the same cards in the same order for everyone. Your result is the number of books you make. Compare it with everyone else's today; your first try of the day is the one that counts.

Questions

Do I have to give up my cards? Yes. When someone asks for a number you hold, the table hands over all of them for you.

Can I ask for a number I do not have? No. You can only ask for a number that is already in your hand, so every question is honest.

How strong are the computers? Easy asks at random. Normal remembers what others asked for in the last few turns. Sharp remembers the whole game, works out who is most likely to hold each number, and wins about 54% of games against Normal head to head. Go Fish has a lot of luck, so anyone can win.

Can I play with my grandkids? Yes. Choose "Play with friends", pick two, three or four players and send the link, or read out the four-letter table code. Everyone sees only their own cards, and the computer fills open seats.

Do I need an account? No. Your game is saved in this browser, so you can close the page and come back.