UNO Flip is a high-stakes twist on the classic card game, built around a double-sided deck that can turn a friendly round ruthless in a single move. Released by Mattel in 2019, it keeps the familiar goal — be the first player to get rid of every card in your hand — while adding a “flip” mechanic that swaps the entire game between a gentle Light Side and a punishing Dark Side.
This guide explains the official rules for New Zealand players: what is inside the deck, how each action card works, how the flip mechanic changes play, how scoring is tallied, and a few honest, beginner-friendly tactics for holding your own.
Quick Facts
| Publisher | Mattel |
|---|---|
| Released | 2019 |
| Players | 2 to 10 |
| Recommended age | 7 and up |
| Cards in deck | 112 double-sided cards |
| Sides | Light Side (red, blue, yellow, green) and Dark Side (pink, teal, orange, purple) |
| Goal | Be the first to play every card; first to 500 points wins a scored game |
| Typical NZ price | About NZ.99 (The Warehouse) |
What Is UNO Flip?
UNO Flip is a standalone edition of UNO rather than an add-on — you play it with its own dedicated deck. The turn structure is close to the classic UNO rules: on your turn you match the top card of the discard pile by colour, number or symbol, or you play a Wild or action card. If you cannot play, you draw a card from the pile. What sets this version apart is that every card is printed on both sides, and a single Flip card can turn the whole deck — and every player’s hand — over to a second, harsher game.
The Double-Sided Deck: Light Side and Dark Side
An UNO Flip deck contains 112 cards. Because every card is double-sided, the same physical cards give you two complete games in one box. Play always begins on the Light Side.
- Light Side: uses the four familiar colours — red, blue, yellow and green — and feels much like standard UNO.
- Dark Side: uses four different colours — pink, teal, orange and purple — and loads the deck with heavier penalties.
You can never see both faces of a card at the same time, so part of the challenge is remembering what your Light Side hand becomes if the game flips to the Dark Side.
Comparison
| Light Side card | Dark Side card | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Draw One | Draw Five | Draw penalty jumps from one card to five cards |
| Skip (one player) | Skip Everyone | All other players are skipped and you go again |
| Wild Draw Two | Wild Draw Color | Next player draws until they get the named colour |
| Reverse | Reverse | Same effect on both sides |
| Wild | Wild | Same effect, but choose from the Dark Side colours |
| Flip | Flip | Switches the whole deck to the opposite side |
Light Side cards
The Light Side has number cards from 1 to 9 in each colour, plus these action cards:
- Draw One — the next player draws one card and misses their turn.
- Skip — the next player loses their turn.
- Reverse — reverses the direction of play.
- Wild — lets you choose the colour that play continues in.
- Wild Draw Two — choose the colour, and the next player draws two cards and is skipped.
- Flip — turns the entire deck over to the Dark Side.
Dark Side cards
The Dark Side keeps number cards 1 to 9 but replaces the mild penalties with much tougher ones:
- Draw Five — the next player draws five cards and misses their turn.
- Skip Everyone — every other player is skipped and you take another turn.
- Reverse — reverses the direction of play, exactly as on the Light Side.
- Wild — choose any Dark Side colour to continue.
- Wild Draw Color — name a colour, and the next player keeps drawing until they pick up that colour, then loses their turn.
- Flip — turns the deck back to the Light Side.
How to Set Up and Play
Setup mirrors standard UNO, with the whole deck starting Light Side up:
- Choose a dealer — a common method is for everyone to draw a card, and whoever has the highest Light Side number deals.
- Deal seven cards to each player, Light Side facing them.
- Place the remaining cards face down as the draw pile, then turn the top card face up to start the discard pile.
- On your turn, match the top card by colour, number or symbol, or play a Wild or Flip card. If you cannot play, draw one card from the pile.
The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the round. Remember to call “UNO” when you are down to one card, on either side of the deck; if you forget and are caught before the next player takes their turn, you draw two penalty cards.
How the Flip card works
The Flip card is the heart of the game. When anyone plays it, both the draw pile and the discard pile are turned over, and every player flips their hand to the other side. Nothing about who holds which card changes — only which face of each card is now in play. Because a single round can flip back and forth several times, a hand that looks harmless on the Light Side can be dangerous on the Dark Side, and the reverse is just as true.
How Scoring Works
UNO Flip can be played as a single round or scored across several. When a player goes out, they collect points for the cards still held by everyone else. This edition uses higher penalty values than standard UNO scoring:
- Number cards — face value.
- Draw One — 10 points.
- Reverse, Skip, Flip and Draw Five — 20 points each.
- Skip Everyone — 30 points.
- Wild — 40 points.
- Wild Draw Two — 50 points.
- Wild Draw Color — 60 points.
The first player to reach 500 points wins the game.
Simple Strategies That Actually Help
UNO Flip rewards awareness of both faces of your hand rather than any guaranteed trick. Skill mostly comes down to timing the flip and watching what your opponents are about to do.
Timing your flips
Think about which side suits your current hand before you play a Flip card. If your best cards are on the Light Side, hold your Flip cards until you are forced to play them or until you need to disrupt an opponent. If you are holding heavy Dark Side penalties such as Draw Five, look for a chance to flip the game over while a rival is low on cards.
Blocking and counter-attacks
When a player is close to going out, a Skip, Reverse or Skip Everyone card can change the turn order before they play their final card. On the Dark Side the penalties bite harder, so a well-timed Draw Five or Skip Everyone can reset the table. Some players compare this pressure to UNO No Mercy, another edition built around large draw penalties.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even seasoned UNO players get caught out by UNO Flip. The most common slips are:
- Ignoring the Dark Side: planning only around your Light Side cards and being blindsided when the deck flips.
- Wasting the Flip card: playing it at random and handing your opponent the side that suits them.
- Tunnel vision: focusing on your own hand and missing the moment to block a player who is about to win.
Where to Buy UNO Flip in New Zealand
UNO Flip is widely stocked in New Zealand. The UNO Flip card game is sold at The Warehouse for about NZ$12.99 and usually comes in a sturdy storage tin that suits travel and game nights. It is also carried by most large toy and department retailers. If you enjoy variant decks, it sits alongside many other UNO gameplay variations worth trying.
Who UNO Flip Is For
UNO Flip is recommended for ages 7 and up and supports 2 to 10 players, which makes it a good fit for families, flatmates and larger groups. The swings between the Light and Dark sides keep everyone involved, so it tends to work well at parties and casual gatherings where a faster, less predictable game is welcome.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes UNO Flip different from regular UNO?
Every card is double-sided, with a gentle Light Side and a harsher Dark Side. Playing a Flip card turns the whole deck and every hand over to the other side, so the game can shift from friendly to punishing several times in a single round.
How many players can play UNO Flip?
UNO Flip is designed for 2 to 10 players and is recommended for ages 7 and up. Larger groups tend to make the Dark Side penalties feel even more chaotic and fun.
What colours are on the Dark Side?
The Dark Side uses pink, teal, orange and purple. The Light Side uses the familiar red, blue, yellow and green. Play always starts on the Light Side before any Flip card is played.
What happens if I forget to say “UNO”?
The rule is the same on both sides of the deck. If you are down to one card and forget to call “UNO” before the next player takes their turn, and an opponent catches you, you must draw two penalty cards.
How do you win UNO Flip?
You win a round by being the first to play all the cards in your hand. In a scored game you then collect points for the cards other players are still holding, and the first player to reach 500 points wins overall.
