Quick Rules
Switch is the card game many British families play on holiday and around the kitchen table. If you know Crazy Eights, you already know the heart of it: match the card on top of the pile, and be the first to get rid of every card in your hand. Switch simply gives more cards a job to do.
- The deal. Seven cards each. The next card is turned face up to start the discard pile (an Ace goes back into the deck and another card is turned).
- Your turn. Play one card that matches the top card's suit or its number. A 6 of hearts can go on any heart or on any 6.
- Can't play? Pick up one card. If it fits you may play it; otherwise your turn ends.
- Aces are wild. Play one on anything and name the suit the next player must follow.
- 2: pick up two. The next player picks up two, unless they play a 2 of their own and pass four along.
- 8: miss a turn. The next player is skipped.
- Jack: switch direction. Play turns around and goes the other way.
- Black Jack: pick up five. The Jack of spades or clubs makes the next player pick up five. The other black Jack passes it on; a red Jack cancels it.
- Winning. Empty your hand first to win the hand. Win three hands to win the game.
How to Play on This Page
The cards in your hand that you can play are raised and outlined; the others are shaded. Tap a raised card to play it. When you tap an Ace, four large suit buttons appear: tap the suit everyone must follow.
Every action card is announced in big words in the middle of the table, such as Pick up 4! or West misses a turn, and written in the list of moves above the table. An arrow with plain words always shows which way play is going and who is next. When cards are waiting for you to pick up, the table shows the number in large type and tells you exactly what you can play to pass it on. Not sure what to do? Tap Hint. Beside each computer play there is a Why? button that explains its thinking.
Tips for Winning
- Keep a 2 for defense. A 2 in your hand means a pick-up can be passed along instead of landing on you.
- Save your Aces. An Ace gets you out of any corner. Spend it when nothing else fits, or to change the suit on a player who is about to go out.
- Hit the player who is nearly out. An 8, a 2 or a black Jack aimed at someone on their last card or two can save the hand.
- Mind the direction. Before you play a Jack, look at who will be next once play turns around.
- Stay in your long suit. If you hold four clubs, look for chances to turn the play to clubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Switch free to play here?
Yes. Play as many games as you like for free, with no account, no download and no ads over the game.
What do the special cards do in Switch?
An Ace is wild: play it on anything and name the suit to follow. A 2 makes the next player pick up two cards. An 8 makes the next player miss a turn. A Jack turns the direction of play around. With the black Jack house rule, which is on unless you turn it off, the Jack of spades and the Jack of clubs make the next player pick up five instead.
Can I pass a pick-up on to the next player?
Yes. If a 2 is played on you, you can play a 2 of your own and the next player must pick up four, and so on. A black Jack can be answered with the other black Jack, and a red Jack cancels it. The game always tells you, in big words on the table, how many cards are waiting and what you can play about it.
How is Switch different from Crazy Eights?
They are close cousins. In Crazy Eights only the eights are special, and they are wild. In Switch the Aces are wild, and the 2s, 8s and Jacks all do something to the next player. Switch usually moves faster and has more back and forth.
Do I have to say “Last card”?
Only if you want to. Out of the box the game says it for you whenever someone is down to one card. Turn on the house rule “You must say Last card” in Settings and a Last Card! button appears when you hold two cards: tap it before you play, or you pick up two.
Does the computer cheat?
No. A computer player sees only its own cards, the discard pile and how many cards everyone holds. It never sees your hand or the stock. On Hard it remembers what happened in plain sight, such as who had to pick up when a suit was asked for, just as a sharp player at a real table would. After every hand you can open Show All Hands, and every game has a deal number you can replay to check the deal was fair. Tap Why? beside any computer play to read its reason.
How do you win a game of Switch?
The first player to play all their cards wins the hand. The first player to win three hands wins the game. In Settings you can choose a single hand or a longer game of five hands instead.
Does the game save my progress?
Yes. Your game is saved in your browser after every move, so you can close the page and continue later on the same device.
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