Key takeaways
- Go Fish is commonly played by two to six players using a standard 52-card deck without jokers.
- Deal seven cards to each player in a two- or three-player game and five cards each with four to six players.
- You may ask for a rank only when you already have at least one card of that rank in your hand.
- A set of all four cards of the same rank is called a book.
- The game ends when all 13 books are complete, and the player with the most books wins.
Go Fish is an easy card-matching game for children, families, and beginners. Players ask one another for cards of a particular rank and draw from the deck when a request is unsuccessful. The suits do not affect play.
Go Fish has several common house-rule variations. This guide uses a version in which an exact requested draw earns another turn, completing a book earns another turn, and the game continues until all 13 books have been collected. These rules are consistent with the version published by Bicycle Playing Cards.
What you need to play Go Fish
| Item | Rule used in this guide |
| Players | 2–6 |
| Deck | Standard 52-card deck without jokers |
| Cards dealt | 7 each for 2–3 players; 5 each for 4–6 players |
| Goal | Collect the most four-card books |
| Draw pile | Remaining cards placed face down as the pond |
How to set up Go Fish
Choose a dealer and shuffle the deck thoroughly.
Starting with the player to the dealer’s left, deal the cards clockwise and face down:
- Deal seven cards to each player when two or three people are playing.
- Deal five cards to each player when four to six people are playing.
Players may look at their own cards but must keep them hidden from everyone else. Place the remaining cards face down in the center of the table. This draw pile is commonly called the pond or fish pond.
The player to the dealer’s left takes the first turn.
How to play Go Fish step by step
- Choose an opponent and request a rank.
Ask one player for all their cards of a particular rank. For example, you might say, “Do you have any queens?”
You must already have at least one queen in your hand before you can ask for queens. You ask only for a rank, not a particular suit. - Collect the requested cards if the opponent has them.
If the opponent has one or more cards of that rank, they must give you all of them.
Your turn continues. You may ask the same opponent or a different opponent for any rank currently in your hand. - Draw from the pond if the opponent has none.
If the opponent does not have the requested rank, they say, “Go fish.” Draw the top card from the pond. - Check the card you drew.
If you draw the exact rank you requested, show the card to the other players and take another turn.
If you draw a different card and it does not complete a book, keep it in your hand and end your turn. Play then moves clockwise. - Place completed books on the table.
Whenever you collect all four cards of one rank, place them face up in front of you as a completed book.
Under the rules used in this guide, completing a book earns another turn.
Example of a turn
Maya has two 6s in her hand and asks Leo, “Do you have any 6s?”
Leo has one 6, so he gives it to Maya. Because the request succeeded, Maya continues her turn.
Maya then asks Priya for 6s. Priya has none and says, “Go fish.” Maya draws one card from the pond.
If Maya draws the final 6, she reveals it, places all four 6s on the table as a completed book, and takes another turn. If she draws another rank that does not complete a book, she keeps the card and her turn ends.
What happens when a player runs out of cards?
If you have no cards when your next turn begins and cards remain in the pond, draw one card. You may then ask an opponent for cards matching the rank you drew.
If both your hand and the pond are empty, you are out of active play. Keep your completed books in front of you because they still count toward your final score.
How Go Fish ends
The game ends when all 13 possible books have been completed. Each player counts the books in front of them, and the player with the most books wins.
If two or more players have the same number of books, they may share the win or play another round, depending on what the group agreed before the game.
Some versions end when a player runs out of cards or when the pond becomes empty. Decide which ending rule to use before dealing so that everyone follows the same version.
Tips for winning Go Fish
- Remember which ranks other players request. A player who asks for 8s probably has at least one 8.
- Pay attention when someone says “Go fish.” That player did not have the requested rank at that moment.
- Prioritize ranks for which you already have two or three cards.
- Ask the opponent most likely to have the card you need.
- Avoid repeatedly asking for the same rank unless you have a strong reason. Doing so reveals information about your hand.
Common Go Fish house rules
Families and groups often play Go Fish differently. Common variations include making pairs instead of four-card books, ending the game when the pond is empty, or ending a turn even when the player draws the requested rank.
Any version can work as long as everyone agrees on the rules before the game begins. The standard beginner version in this guide uses four-card books.
Frequently asked questions
Can you ask the same player more than once?
Yes. After a successful request, you may ask the same opponent again or choose someone else. You may also request the same rank again if you still hold at least one card of that rank.
What happens if you run out of cards?
If cards remain in the pond, draw one card at the beginning of your next turn. You may then request that card’s rank. If the pond is empty, you are out of active play, but your completed books still count.
What happens if the pond runs out of cards?
Players who still have cards may continue asking one another for ranks. Players with empty hands cannot draw and take no further active turns.
Do you have to show cards received from another player?
Show transferred cards long enough for the group to verify that the correct rank was given. You may then add them to your hand. Completed books should remain visible on the table.
Can you ask for a rank that has already been completed?
No. Once all four cards of a rank are in a completed book, no cards of that rank remain available. You will also no longer have one in your hand, so you cannot legally request it.
What if the card you draw completes a different book?
Under the rules used in this guide, place the completed book on the table and take another turn. Because some groups play this situation differently, agree on the rule before starting.
