Onze Rules - How to Play and Score

Onze Rules - How to Play Onze

Onze is a 7-round card game for 3 to 7 players. The objective is to be the first to meet the required hand for the round, go out by discarding all your cards, and keep the lowest total score by the end of all rounds. Onze uses custom hand goals for each round, with wild cards and a mix of sets and runs, making it both strategic and fast-paced.

Setup

• For 3-7 players, use two standard 52-card decks plus four Jokers (total 108 cards). Over six players we like to use 4 decks, including all Jokers.
• Shuffle and deal 11 cards to each player (13 cards in Round 7).
• Place remaining cards face-down as the draw pile.
• Flip one card face-up to create the discard pile.

Wild Cards

• Jokers and red Aces (♥ ♦) are wild and can represent any card in a set or run.
• Black Aces (♠ ♣) are not wild and count as 20 points if left in your hand.

How to Play Onze

1. Play proceeds clockwise. The player to the left of the dealer goes first.
2. On your turn, draw one card from either the draw pile or the top of the discard pile.
3. If your hand meets the round requirement, lay it down face-up ("go down").
4. End your turn by discarding one card face-up to the discard pile.

Valid Melds

• Set: 3 or more cards of the same rank (any suits).
• Run: 4 or more consecutive cards in the same suit (e.g., 4♥–5♥–6♥–7♥). Aces may be high or low, but not both (no K–A–2).

Discard Grab Rule

If a player chooses not to take the face-up discard and draws from the pile instead, the top card of the discard pile becomes available. Any other player may claim it before the current player ends their turn. If multiple players want it, priority goes to the next player in turn order. Once a new card is discarded, the opportunity to grab the previous discard expires.

After Going Down

• You must wait until your next turn to play on other players’ sets or runs.
• You may add cards to valid melds (your own or others) after that point.
• Jokers in runs can be replaced by the actual card, but must be used immediately in the same turn.
• Jokers in sets cannot be replaced.

Going Out

• Once you have no cards left in hand, discard your last card face-down to “go out.”
• This ends the round immediately. All other players score the points in their hand.

Scoring

• Going out = 0 points.
• Other players total the value of cards remaining in their hands:
• Jokers and Red Aces: 30 points
• Black Aces: 20 points
• Face cards (K, Q, J, 10): 10 points
• Number cards (2–9): Face value

Round Requirements in Onze

1. Two sets of 3
2. One set of 3 and one run of 4
3. Two runs of 4
4. Three sets of 3
5. Two sets of 3 and one run of 4
6. Two runs of 4 and one set of 3
7. Three runs of 4 (deal 13 cards)

Optional Rules (House Variants)

• Discard grab: Some groups play “open pounce,” where any player may grab the face-up discard after it’s passed. Others allow only the next player to claim it.
• Play restrictions: You may allow players to lay off cards on the same turn they go down to speed up the game, although traditional rules require waiting one turn.

About the Onze Card Game

Onze is a fast-paced group card game that’s similar to Rummy but played in structured rounds with escalating hand requirements. While not as widely known as classics like Hearts or Spades, Onze is loved for its mix of strategy, surprise, and friendly competition. Learn the rules, keep score, and play smarter with our free Onze Score Card app for iPhone and iPad.

History of the Onze Card Game

Onze is believed to have evolved as a homegrown variant of traditional Rummy and Canasta, played in family circles and small groups. The name "Onze" (French for "eleven") refers to the 11 cards dealt in most rounds. Unlike standard Rummy, Onze is played in structured rounds with escalating difficulty, making it ideal for longer game nights and competitive scoring.

Though not widely known in mass-market game catalogs, Onze has developed a loyal following through word of mouth, especially in North America. The use of red Aces and Jokers as wild cards, the specific round-by-round meld requirements, and the requirement to discard to go out make it a distinct and fast-paced game that rewards planning and memory.

With the rise of mobile gaming, the Onze Score Card app was created to simplify scorekeeping and help new players learn the rules quickly. Whether you're new to Onze or a seasoned veteran, our app helps you stay focused on gameplay and friendly competition.

Play & Score Onze in the Game Night App

The standalone Onze app has been merged into Game Night. You’ll get the same fast scorekeeping for Onze—plus access to other games—in one place.

• Tap to play Onze now: open Game Night directly to Onze (if installed), otherwise you’ll be prompted to install.
• Smart scorekeeping: clear round-by-round entry, totals, and game history.
• Offline friendly: no account or internet required at the table.
• One-time unlock: Onze is a single purchase inside the app—no subscriptions.

Download on the
App Store

Already installed? The button above opens Game Night straight to the Onze scorecard.

Game Rules FAQ

What is the card game Onze?

Onze is a 7-round card game where players try to complete specific sets or runs of cards each round. The goal is to have the lowest score after all rounds.

How do you play Onze?

Players draw and discard cards to complete hand requirements. Each round has a unique combination of sets and runs. Once a player meets the round goal and discards their last card, the round ends.

How many players can play Onze?

The game is typically played with 3 to 7 players. Larger groups may need extra decks.

How many cards are dealt in Onze?

Players are dealt 11 cards in most rounds and 13 in the final round (Round 7).

What cards are wild in Onze?

Jokers and red Aces (♥ ♦) are wild. Black Aces (♠ ♣) are not wild and count for 20 points if left in your hand.

How is Onze scored?

After each round, players total the value of the cards left in their hand. Wilds = 30, black aces = 20, face cards = 10, number cards = face value.

What are the round requirements in Onze?

Each round has a different required combination: Round 1 is two sets of 3, Round 7 is three runs of 4, and so on.

Are Onze rules free in the app?

Yes. The complete Onze rules are always available in the Game Night app even without purchase.

Can I try Onze scoring for free?

Yes. You can try Onze scoring once for free. If you like it, unlocking is a one-time purchase—no subscription.

What is the Game Night app?

A multi-game scorekeeping app for iPhone and iPad. Download once and unlock scorecards for games like Onze, Mexican Train, and Chicken Foot.

Is the Game Night app free?

Yes. You can try every game for free with full scoring. Even if you don’t purchase a game, you’ll still have unlimited access to its complete rules anytime.

Do I need to pay to view the rules?

No. The rules for all games are always available in the app, even without purchase.

Does it work offline?

Yes. You can enter scores and view history without an internet connection.

How many players can I track?

The number of players varies per game, with layouts that adapt for small or large groups.

How do I restore purchases?

Open Settings → Restore Purchases to refresh your purchased games, especially after switching devices.

Where can I get support?

Email [email protected] — we read every message.

Game Night App Screenshots

Add players and get the game started in seconds.

Quickly enter scores for each player.

Review past games and scores easily.

Game Rules one click away.

Game Hands one click away, but also shown when entering scores.

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