Match Stack

Match Stack is a fast, colorful card game where every turn is about finding a match. Be the first player to play all your cards and you win! It's easy to learn and full of surprises, which makes it great for practicing patience, flexible thinking, and handling the ups and downs of a game.

The cards

The deck has four colors: red, yellow, green, and blue. Each color has number cards from 0 to 9, plus three action cards:

• Skip: the next player loses their turn.
• Reverse: the direction of play switches.
• Draw Two: the next player draws 2 cards and loses their turn.

There are also two kinds of wild cards:

• Wild: play it on any card and choose the next color.
• Wild Draw Four: choose the next color, and the next player draws 4 cards and loses their turn.

Step 1: Deal the cards

Each player starts with 7 cards. The rest of the deck becomes the draw pile, and the top card is flipped over to start the discard pile.

Step 2: Match the top card

On your turn, play one card from your hand that matches the top card of the discard pile by color, number, or symbol. For example, on a red 7 you could play any red card or any 7. You can also play a wild card at any time.

Step 3: Draw if you can't match

If you don't have a card that matches, draw one card from the draw pile. If that card matches, you can play it right away. If not, your turn is over.

Step 4: Use action cards

When you play an action card, its effect happens right away, so watch for Skips, Reverses, and Draw Twos coming your way!

Step 5: Play Wild Draw Four carefully

You can only play a Wild Draw Four when you have no other card that matches the current color. If the next player thinks you broke this rule, they can challenge you:

• If you did break the rule, you draw the 4 cards instead.
• If you didn't, the challenger draws 6 cards instead of 4.

Step 6: Call "Last card!"

When you play your second-to-last card, hit the "1 card left!" button. If you forget, you draw 2 cards as a penalty.

Step 7: Empty your hand to win

The first player to play their last card wins the round!

Tips for using Match Stack in session

• Practice flexible thinking. There's usually more than one way to match. Ask, "What other card could you have played?"
• Name the big feelings. Getting hit with a Draw Four can be frustrating. It's a natural moment to talk about handling setbacks.
• Celebrate good sportsmanship. Notice when your client waits their turn, plays fairly, or stays kind after a tough card.
• Talk about strategy. Saving a wild card for later is a great way to explore planning ahead.