How to play Go Fish
Go Fish is the friendliest card game there is — and sneakier than it looks. Ask for a rank you hold, collect what your opponent surrenders, and build books of four. Miss, and it's go fish: draw from the pond in the middle.
- Asking — click any card in your hand (or drag it to the pond) to ask Emma for that rank.
- Hits keep your turn — every card handed over means you ask again.
- The lucky fish — draw the very rank you asked for and the turn stays yours.
- Books — four of a kind lays down automatically; most of the 13 books wins.
Strategy tips for a smarter fisherman
- Every question is a confession. Asking for 9s tells Emma you hold 9s — and she remembers. Ask for ranks you can finish quickly.
- Ask again about old misses. If Emma fished after you asked for 7s, any 7 she draws later is yours for the re-asking.
- Listen to her questions. Whatever Emma asks for, she holds. When you draw into that rank, take it back before she strikes.
- Count to four. Two 9s in your hand plus one you saw surrendered means the last 9 is in the pond or her hand — plan the endgame.
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules of Go Fish?
Each player gets seven cards. On your turn, ask the opponent for a rank you already hold. If they have any, they must hand them all over and you ask again. If not — go fish: draw from the pond. Four of a kind lays down as a book, and whoever has the most of the 13 books at the end wins.
What happens if I fish the card I asked for?
That is the lucky draw: show it and take another turn. Fishing anything else passes the turn to your opponent.
Can I ask for a rank I do not have?
No — you must hold at least one card of the rank you ask for. That rule is what makes every question a clue: asking reveals part of your hand.
Does the computer remember what I ask for?
Yes — like any good human opponent, Emma remembers the ranks you have asked about and comes hunting for them. Sometimes the best play is asking for a rank you only need one more of, before she connects the dots.
What happens when my hand runs out?
If you run out of cards (usually by laying a book), you draw a fresh card from the pond while it lasts. When the pond is empty and a hand is empty, the turn simply passes until all 13 books are made.
More free card games
More easy fun: try War or Crazy Eights — or step up to Gin Rummy.