UNO has been a popular fixture for game nights since the early 1970s thanks to its versatility, straightforward gameplay and capacity for wild entertainment. The multiplayer element also makes UNO a great option for families and friends during game nights or long journeys, and this has been translated into the modern world with virtual gaming events.
If there’s one potential drawback to the traditional idea of UNO, it’s that people have to be in the same room to play. This is a beautiful thing for friends and families who live close together, but it meant those who are far from home or have friends dotted across the world could not play together. The rise of virtual UNO gaming nights has changed all this, fueled by enhanced technology and the increased capacity to use live streaming and video calling to assist in gameplay.
This new way of playing UNO is one of the main factors keeping the card game relevant 52 years after its debut, with a whole new generation introduced to its fast-paced and delightfully simple gameplay. Let’s take a look at the basics of UNO, a quick history, its main rules and everything else you need to know.
What is UNO?
First things first: what exactly is UNO? The popular card game, designed to simplify some of the more complex card games out there, such as poker, and recontextualize it for families and friends without an implicit gambling element, was created by Merle Robbins in 1971. The aim of the game is relatively simple; to win, a player must shed all their cards and be the first to score 500 points.
While the overall aim is rather simple, this is just the tip of the iceberg. UNO’s excitement stems from the various special action cards, which include things like “Skip”, “Reverse” and “Draw Two”. Players can use these to disrupt their competitors, making for a uniquely exciting atmosphere.
This exhilarating gaming environment is intensified further by the fact that players must shout “UNO!” when they’re down to their last card, alerting everybody else that they’re nearly at the finishing line. This inevitably leads to teamwork to disrupt the player with one remaining card, with other competitors using their special action cards against them.
Other games like UNO
Do you enjoy UNO but want to play something a little different? Here’s a look at some similar alternatives:
● Blackjack: One of the oldest games still played today, blackjack is an iconic option where players try to beat the dealer to 21 without going over. This is undeniably one of the most popular card games on the market, particularly at live dealer casinos.
● Top Trumps: A popular option among children in particular, Top Trumps is a statistics game using categories like strength, speed and more across various themes.
● Poker: Another age-old card game, poker has several variants, with Texas Hold’em being the most popular. The game has been featured in blockbuster movies like Casino Royale.
UNO: A quick history
UNO was based on an older card game called Crazy Eights, with the entrepreneurial founder Merle Robbins wanting to create a simpler version for his family. After working on the rules and striking a balance between simplicity and excitement, the Ohio-born barber decided to make 5,000 decks.
Robbins originally sold these via friends and through word of mouth, and it didn’t take long for his invention to take off. But he was never in it for the money, so when he saw its popularity skyrocketing, he sold the rights to a family friend. The UNO patent was later sold to International Games, who eventually sold the rights to the global giant Mattel in 1992.
Now in the hands of a commercial juggernaut with international reach and extensive experience navigating the family entertainment industry, UNO became a bona fide global phenomenon. The company ensured a consistently expanding fanbase with new versions like UNO Flip and digital adaptations. The latter has contributed to UNO’s popularity at virtual game nights, and its future looks very bright.
Why is UNO so popular?
UNO has made headlines recently for its ability to bring people together during virtual and real-life gaming nights, but what is it about the game that makes it so popular? Here are a few of the main characteristics to consider:
● Simple rules: Anybody can learn to play UNO within minutes, making for an extremely accessible gaming option without needlessly complicated rules acting as barriers to entry.
● Strategic gameplay: Despite its simplicity, UNO requires strategic thought, particularly during the later stages of a round.
● Multiplayer focus: UNO is an inherently multiplayer game, making it a perfect fit for game nights.
