Uno is based on an open source card game.
Damn, I completely forgot about Mao. You just unlocked a vague memory from 15 years ago. I remember being incredibly frustrated while learning this, followed by the hilarity of introducing more players to the game.
I tried it with a group years ago and we played extensively for half a year but eventually had to split off. At max i get 3 people together who know it and most plain don’t like it… But good memories indeed, i still think about new rules sometimes.
Mao is UNO for smart people because the cards don’t say what they do and everyone disagrees on what which card does. So your description is quite accurate.
I prefer the chess variant known as Scrabble. Where 2 to 4 players use wooden blocks with letters ok then instead of traditional chess pieces. The players must then compete to spell the best words.
Was the title of this autocorrected from cards to chess? Id still like to know how to play chess with cards
"Rule #1. It’s forbidden to tell the rules of Mao.
Rule #2. There are two exceptions to rule #1, which are rule #1 and rule #2."
This is how Mao was introduced to me. Very fun game
(Actually I watched an ongoing game of Mao before I joined the party and started playing. As I was watching the game I understood a rule and said it out loud, not knowing I wasn’t supposed to say the rules. This, of course, granted me a penalty at the beginning of my first game.)
Mao Club Rule 1: You don’t talk about mao club.
Mao Club Rule 2: YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT MAO CLUB.
Mao Club Rule 3: Someone yells stop, goes limp, taps out, the game is over.
Mao Club Rule 4: Only two guys to a game.
Mao Club Rule 5: One game at a time Fellas.
Mao Club Rule 6: No Shirts, No shoes.
Mao Club Rule 7: Games will go on as long as they have to.
Mao Club Rule 8: If this is your first night at mao club, you have to play.