Let’s dive in.

What is Phase Ten?

Phase Ten is a rummy-style card game created by Kenneth Johnson in 1982 and published by Mattel. The goal? Be the first to complete 10 unique phases—specific combinations of cards—before your opponents do. It’s like Uno and Rummy had a kid with a competitive streak. Easy enough for beginners, but with enough depth to keep everyone engaged. It plays great with 2–6 players and is best suited for ages 7 and up, making it a perfect family card game for game night.

How to Play Phase Ten (and Understand the Scoring)

What You Need:

• A Phase Ten deck (includes cards numbered 1–12 in four colors + Wilds and Skips)
• 2–6 players
• A little patience and a sense of humor
• A Score Trackers from The Riverside Realm (my parent company) never hurts… Just Saying 🙂

Basic Rules:

Each player is trying to complete a specific phase each round. You can only advance to the next phase once you’ve completed the current one. Miss it? Try again next round while others keep moving forward. Savage, we know.

Here are a few example phases:

• 1: Two sets of three (like three 5s and three 9s)
• 2: One set of three + one run of four
• 3: One run of seven…all the way up to Phase 10.

A full list of all 10 phases comes with the game, or you can grab one online if your dog ate the rules.

Gameplay:

1. Deal 10 cards to each player.
2. On your turn, draw one card (from the deck or discard pile), try to complete your phase, then discard one card.
3. If you lay down your phase, congrats! You can now play cards on anyone else’s completed phase too.
4. First player to get rid of all their cards ends the round.

Scoring (yes, we’re going there):

• After each round, players who didn’t go out count the cards left in their hands:
  • Numbered cards 1-9 = 5 Points
  • Numbered Cards 10-12 = 10 Points
  • Skip cards = 15 points
  • Wild cards = 25 points (ouch)
• Your score accumulates round by round. Lowest total score at the end of Phase 10 wins if more than one player finishes their final phase in the same round.

⚠️ Important: Even if you finish a phase, if someone else goes out before you can get rid of your hand, you still score those points. Efficiency matters.

Why Phase Ten is Great for Family Game Night

Here’s why Phase Ten earns a permanent seat at the game table:

✅ Easy to Learn How to Play Phase Ten, but Hard to Master

The rules are simple, but the choices get trickier with each phase.

✅ Just the Right Amount of Drama

Wild cards. Skip cards. Phases that leave your brain doing gymnastics. It keeps things spicy without starting actual fights. (Usually.)

✅ Scales with Skill Levels

Whether you’re playing with younger kids or your ultra-competitive cousin who treats every game like a championship, Phase Ten works for mixed-age groups.

✅ Portable and Affordable

No board (unless you purchased one of our really cool Phase Ten Sets with Scoreboard). No tokens, no cumbersome resources – just a deck of Phase Ten cards. Take it on vacation, camping, or play it during a power outage. (You’ll only fight about lighting, not rules.)

Tips and Strategy to Improve Your Phase Ten Game

You want to stop getting steamrolled by Grandma? Ready to learn how to play phase ten the right way – Read on:

🎯 1. Know the Phases Ahead of Time

Memorize or keep a cheat sheet nearby. The faster you recognize what you need, the faster you build it.

💥 2. Play Defense With Skip Cards

Don’t just skip randomly. Use it to slow down whoever’s furthest ahead in phases—or the one with a suspiciously smug grin.

🃏 3. Use Wilds Strategically, Not Desperately

Don’t blow a Wild just to lay down a phase early. Sometimes it’s better to wait a turn and complete a better hand.

🧠 4. Discard Smart

If you see someone collecting reds or high numbers, stop feeding them what they want. Remember—every card you discard is potential ammo for someone else.

⏳ 5. Watch for Burnout Phases

Runs of 8 or 9? Brutal. You may need to hold back cards a round or two to build it out. Don’t panic—plan.

Phase Ten Review: Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Easy to teach, fun to replay
• Great for families and mixed age groups
• No two games feel the same and they always provide an opportunity to talk smack
• Travel-friendly and budget-friendly

Cons:

• Some phases can feel like you can be stuck on them for an eternity becoming a bit frustrating.
• Its possible for other players to get several rounds ahead leaving you less motivated to play.
• Games can run long if multiple players turtle up (average game: 45–90 min)

Pro tip: If you want a smoother, more strategic alternative, check out Frustration Rummy—a similar but faster-paced game that’s been gaining traction in the family game night scene.

Is Phase Ten Right for Your Next Game Night?

If you’re hunting for a game that blends luck, strategy, and just the right amount of sibling sabotage, Phase Ten delivers. It’s earned its spot in the game night hall of fame by being accessible, replayable, and surprisingly cutthroat in the best way.

Whether you’re playing to relax or to dominate, it’s got something for everyone. So grab a deck, gather the crew, and prepare to get a little competitive – After all family bonding is great—but bragging rights are forever.