set collecting · Worldwide
Go Fish
Also known as Go Fish card game · Fish · Authors (cousin)
Go Fish is the beloved family card game played around the world — simple enough for kids, fun for everyone, and a great way to practise a little memory and deduction. Using a standard 52-card deck, players take turns asking each other for a rank they already hold ("Got any Queens?"). Collect all four cards of a rank and you've made a "book". When all thirteen books have been made, whoever collected the most wins. Quick, social, and endlessly replayable for 2 to 6 players, Go Fish is a perfect casual game. Play Go Fish online free against friendly bots or with friends — no download, no signup.
2–6 players · free · no download · no signup
How to play Go Fish
- Deal 7 cards each for 2-3 players, or 5 each for 4+; the rest become the face-down 'ocean'.
- On your turn, ask one player for a rank you already hold ('Got any Kings?').
- If they have any, they give you ALL of them and you go again.
- If they don't, it's 'Go Fish!' — draw from the ocean.
- Draw the rank you asked for and you go again; otherwise your turn ends.
- Lay down all four of a rank as a 'book' as soon as you collect them.
- When all 13 books are made, the most books wins.
Go Fish rules
Objective
Collect more 'books' than anyone else. A book is a complete set of all four cards of one rank — four Aces, four 9s, four Kings, and so on. There are thirteen books in the deck; when they have all been collected the game ends and the player with the most books wins.
The deal
Use one standard 52-card deck. Deal 7 cards to each player for two or three players, or 5 cards each for four or more. The remaining cards go face down in the middle as the 'ocean' (the stock you fish from). If you are dealt four of a kind at the start, lay it down as a book straight away.
Asking on your turn
On your turn, pick another player and ask them for a rank that you already hold at least one card of — for example, 'Do you have any 7s?'. You must hold a card of the rank you ask for; you can't ask for a rank you don't have.
Got it — or Go Fish
If the player you asked has any cards of that rank, they must hand over ALL of them, and you take another turn. If they have none, they say 'Go Fish!' and you draw the top card of the ocean. If the card you draw happens to be the rank you asked for, you reveal it and take another turn; otherwise your turn ends and play passes to the left.
Making books
The moment you hold all four cards of a rank, lay them down face up as a completed book. This happens automatically whether you completed it by asking or by fishing. If you ever run out of cards, you draw from the ocean on your turn (if any remain) and carry on; if the ocean is empty and you have no cards, you simply sit out the rest of the round.
Ending the game
The game ends when all thirteen books have been laid down — at which point every hand and the ocean are empty. Each player counts their books, and the player with the most books wins. If you want a longer session, play several deals and keep a running total.
Strategy tips
- Listen to what other players ask for — it reveals which ranks they're holding, so you know who to ask later.
- When you receive cards, remember who you got them from; they may still hold more of nearby ranks.
- Ask for ranks you hold three of first — you only need one more to complete the book.
- Late in the game, target the player most likely to hold the card based on earlier asks.
- Keep track of which books are already down so you don't waste a turn chasing a rank that's gone.
Variants
Authors · Canadian Fish / Literature · Go Fish with suits (ask by exact card) · Saudi Fish
Go Fish — frequently asked questions
How do you play Go Fish?
On your turn ask another player for a rank you already hold. If they have it they give you all of it and you go again; if not, you 'Go Fish' and draw from the ocean. Collect all four of a rank to make a book. The most books wins.
How many cards do you deal in Go Fish?
Deal 7 cards each for two or three players, or 5 cards each for four or more. The rest form the ocean (draw pile).
Can you ask for any card in Go Fish?
No — you may only ask for a rank you already have at least one of in your hand.
What is a book in Go Fish?
A book is all four cards of one rank, such as four Jacks. You lay it down face up as soon as you collect the set.
What happens when you draw the card you asked for?
If you 'Go Fish' and the very card you draw is the rank you asked for, you show it and take another turn.
How do you win Go Fish?
When all thirteen books have been made, the player who collected the most books wins.