Quick Guide to the Rules and Gameplay of the Onze card game
Just here for the rules? That's cool. But we have an app to help you keep score if you are interested.
Download the Onze Score Card App for iPhone & iPad
Onze Score Card helps you track scores for every round without needing paper or spreadsheets. It's easy to use and designed for group play—whether you're new to Onze or a seasoned player.
Digital Scorekeeping: Replace paper score sheets with a convenient app.
Multi-Player Support: Track up to 7 players per game.
Game History: View past scores and round-by-round breakdowns.
Offline Friendly: Works anywhere—no internet required.
If this page has helped you learn or share the game, consider supporting us by downloading the app. It helps us keep building tools like this.
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
Use two standard 52-card decks plus four Jokers (total 108 cards).
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
Play proceeds clockwise. The player to the left of the dealer goes first.
On your turn, draw one card from either the draw pile or the top of the discard pile.
If your hand meets the round requirement, lay it down face-up ("go down").
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
Two sets of 3
One set of 3 and one run of 4
Two runs of 4
Three sets of 3
Two sets of 3 and one run of 4
Two runs of 4 and one set of 3
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.
Onze Score Card FAQ
Q: What is Onze?
Onze is a 7-round card game played with 3–7 players. Each round requires a different hand combination, and the goal is to have the lowest total score at the end.
Q: What does the Onze Score Card app do?
It helps you track scores round-by-round for each player, shows totals, and saves your game history so you never lose track. No more paper score sheets!
Q: How many players does the app support?
You can play with 3 to 7 players, which matches the rules of the traditional Onze card game.
Q: Can I see scores from past games?
Yes! The app keeps a history of completed games so you can view round-by-round breakdowns and total scores anytime.
Q: Does the app automatically calculate scores?
Yes, the app takes teh scores for each round and shows a running total. While scores are entered manually, a future version may allow you to take a picture of your cards and have the app calculate scores automatically.
Q: Does it work on both iPhone and iPad?
Yes, the app supports both iPhone and iPad, and is optimized for each screen size.
Q: Is an internet connection required?
No! The app works entirely offline — perfect for game nights anywhere.
Q: Is there a way to report a bug or give feedback?
Yes! You can send feedback directly to our team at [email protected].
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.
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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