A PACK OF FUN AT A GOOD PRICE. (Uno)

Member Name: thingywhatsit

Product:	Uno
Date:	05/08/06 (555 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Innovative and more fun than traditional cards.

Disadvantages: None.

Have you ever had one of those rain filled days, when the sky opens, and the electricity goes, and all technology grinds to a halt ? Ever wondered what to do with the kids to keep them occupied ? Well, that is the kind of event that I keep my Uno cards for. Bored minds with nothing to do can be tiresome, and these cards work wonders, both in this situation or in a situation of boredom like travel. Often I travel on the ferry between the UK and France with a pack of Uno cards in my bag, because there will always be someone that wants to kill time, and being occupied and having fun is a far better way to pass time than to sit bored out of your brain, watching the clock.

I also believe that interaction between kids and adults is very important, especially when so many games on computers are solitary ones. Taking the time to play with kids, and letting them have childhood memories of fun games that they played as kids is a great way for parents to interact, or even for kids to interact with each other.

Uno is a good card game. Unlike classic card games, I believe it has a universal fun factor, and is so easily explained that it actually breaks the ice between kids of different nationalities, in that it is extremely simple, and can be made as complex as you like within the framework of the rules, though even here, we have adapted the rules to suit ourselves a bit. I often play with French kids, and their enjoyment is never disadvantaged by misunderstanding the rules since they really are simple.

The pack consists of a variety of cards of four different colours, the majority with numbers on them. These are the mainstay cards that make the game. The fun cards are the little bonus ones that can be played in order to slow down the process of someone who thinks that they are about to win. It's mischievous, and it's fun and addictive, and better played with more than two players, since a two player game limits the way in which the bonus cards work.

Let's try and explain. The rules say that each player has 7 cards. We don't when we play because we like being different. We have ten to fifteen cards each, dependent upon mood. The idea is to play your cards and be the first one to get rid of all the cards onto an open deck, either matching number or colour, and although it sounds rather boring it isn't. What breaks up what would be an otherwise monotonous game are cards which change the direction of play, make the next person miss a go, cards where you get to chose a different colour, or the ones that force the opponent to pick up extra cards.

How intelligent you want to the play the game is choice really, and I have played it with very small children and found that it actually aids reinforcement of colours and numbers, although the pack's 6 and 9 are very similar (the six having a line underneath it to help differentiate it from the 9). Playing the game with little ones is ok, and generally they understand the concept of following colour or placing an identical number. Playing with older kids or adults enhances the enjoyment, because we all have that little bit of mischief in us that wants to win and beat those who think they are almost at the end of a game.

My favourite cards are the “Pick up Four” cards which I always keep up my sleeve til last, because they really can make a difference, although you never know if your opponent has another “Pick up Four” card, and this is where the game gets really naughty, in that if they have and place it on the pack, then the next player in line has to pick up eight cards.

It's the kind of game that can be relatively long to play sometimes if played with skill, and I have owned a pack of these cards for many years. The makers tried to get clever and brought out a pack with a card dispenser, although this appears to be gimmick more than necessity, and puts the price up excessively. Most friends that bought the dispenser set regret it, and dealing cards really isn't that hard, even for the smallest of hands.

Another thing I like about these cards is that they really are made out of tough card, with a washable surface, and believe me have been washed with a damp cloth, following a particularly nasty event with a cream cake and a three year old.

One stupid rule that comes in the instruction booklet that instantly got lost was that each player is supposed to shout the word “Uno” when they get to their last card, in order to forewarn the other players into trying their best to either change the colour quickly or use their bonus cards in order to foil the final play of that person. We never did feel right with that, and tend to use “Last card !” instead, though those that forget are penalized by having to take three cards, so few forget this little rule, though when they do, you can be sure that the other players are ready to dish out the punishment.

It's a good game, though there is no need to restrict yourself to traditional play with these cards, and having played many number and colour games with little ones that can't quite grasp the concept, taking out all the bonus cards and just playing snap works pretty well too. My set of these cards are the ordinary no nonsense ones, and they have lasted for years without getting dog-eared, or damaged. The box is still intact too and has survived all manner of abuse.

Of the available options, I would chose the simple cards. There are waterproof ones available at 6.49 GBP, although I really don't see the necessity, since the ordinary ones are strong enough to survive a trip to the beach. As for the deluxe set, Uno Extreme, this is an expensive option and totally unnecessary at 14.99 GBP. The Care bear and Spiderman Uno cards make a good present, although I would suggest here, that although they are packed in a metal carrying case, I would imagine that many children would outgrow the themes, whereas the standard cards at 3.38 GBP are the most sensible option all round, giving you a game that doesn't get dated or babyish.

Would I recommend the game ?

Yes, it is extremely playable and enjoyable and is one of my favourite card games. Good for all ages, very good entertainment value, and lasting enjoyment.

Now where's that pack ?

Rachel

Summary: A good family game.