How to Win at Ocho: Card Strategy and Scoring Tips

Ocho is quick, but it is not just luck. Every round, the winner scores the cards left in the other hands, so what you hold when a rival goes out matters as much as going out yourself. This guide covers which cards to play first, when to use wilds, how to slow down the leader and how never to be caught on your last card.

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Shed the cards that cost the most

If a rival goes out, number cards count their face value against you, Skip, Reverse and +2 count 20 and wilds count 50. When you can choose between two playable cards, play the more expensive one, such as a 9 over a 2, or an action card when it also hurts the next player. Keep low numbers for later, because getting caught with them costs little.

Use wilds as your escape key

A wild can be played on anything, so it is the card that saves you when you are stuck or lets you finish. When you play one, choose the colour you hold most of, or a colour the next player seems to lack. A Wild +4 is only allowed when you hold no card of the current colour, so it often becomes playable just after a colour change. Do not sit on wilds for too long, though: each one costs 50 if a rival goes out first.

Attack the player who is about to win

When the next player is down to one or two cards, hit them with a Skip, a +2 or a Wild +4. With three or four players, a Reverse can turn play away from them. If stacking is on, keep a +2 or +4 in hand to pass a penalty along instead of drawing the whole stack yourself.

Chain action cards in two-player games

With two players, Skip, Reverse and +2 all give you another turn, so a run of them lets you play several cards in a row. Save them for the end of a round to go out from three or four cards. Finishing with a +2 or Wild +4 is even better: your rival draws those cards first, and they all count in your score.

Call Last card! every time

Tap Last card! before you play your second-to-last card, so you never forget. If a rival catches you before the next player acts, you draw two. Watch the others just as closely: when a rival is left with one card and has not called, tap Catch! (or press C) to make them draw two. After drawing, you can play the new card if it fits or keep it, which is useful when you want to hold on to a colour.

Questions

When can I play a Wild +4?

Only when you hold no card of the current colour. A plain wild can be played at any time.

What does Reverse do with two players?

It works like Skip: your rival misses a turn and you play again.

Can I play Ocho online?

Yes. Play online with 2 to 4 players, against 1 to 3 computer players, or pass one device between friends. If someone leaves an online game, a bot takes over their hand.

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