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How to Play UNO Flip

UNO Flip plays exactly like classic UNO with one huge addition: every card is double-sided, with a friendly Light side and a punishing Dark side. A special Flip card turns the entire deck — and every player’s hand — over to the other side.

On the Light side the penalties are mild. On the Dark side, a single card can force an opponent to draw until they hit a specific color.

Last reviewed 2026-07-27

What's in the box

  • 112 double-sided cards
  • Light side colors: red, yellow, green, blue
  • Dark side colors: pink, teal, orange, purple
  • Light action cards: Draw One, Skip, Reverse, Flip, Wild, Wild Draw One
  • Dark action cards: Draw Five, Skip Everyone, Reverse, Flip, Wild, Wild Draw Color

Setup

  1. Start with every card Light side up.
  2. Deal 7 cards to each player, kept Light side up so only each owner sees their Dark side.
  3. Form the draw pile face down and flip the top card to start the discard pile.
  4. Play proceeds as in classic UNO until a Flip card is played.

How to play — the rules

The Flip card

When a Flip card is played, everything turns over: the draw pile, the discard pile, and every player’s hand switch to the opposite side. Play continues from the newly revealed top card, matching by the colors and symbols of that side.

Because hands flip too, the cards you were carefully saving on the Light side become whatever is printed on their Dark backs — you plan for both faces at once.

Light side actions

  • Draw One — next player draws 1 and is skipped.
  • Skip, Reverse — same as classic UNO.
  • Wild and Wild Draw One — choose a color; Wild Draw One also makes the next player draw 1.

Dark side actions (much harsher)

  • Draw Five — next player draws 5 and loses their turn.
  • Skip Everyone — every other player is skipped and you immediately take another turn.
  • Wild Draw Color — you choose a color, and the next player draws cards until they draw one of that color.

A turn, step by step

  1. Match the top discard by the current side’s color or symbol, or play a Wild.
  2. If you play a Flip card, turn the deck and all hands to the other side before continuing.
  3. Resolve draw and skip effects using the current side’s (possibly brutal) values.
  4. Draw one card if you cannot play.
  5. Call “UNO” when you reach one card.

How to win

As in classic UNO, you win the round by playing your last card. The scoring is the same idea, but Dark-side action cards carry very high point values, so being caught holding a Dark Draw Five or Wild Draw Color hurts.

Play continues to a target score (commonly 500), with the round winner scoring the total of everyone else’s remaining cards.

Strategy tips

  • Time your Flip cards. Flip to the Dark side when an opponent is about to win, so their safe Light hand suddenly turns dangerous.
  • Wild Draw Color is the game’s nuke — hold it for a rival who is down to one or two cards.
  • Remember your Dark backs. Before flipping, glance at what your hand becomes so you are not stranded with unplayable colors.
  • Skip Everyone effectively gives you two turns in a row; use it to dump a big card and immediately follow up.

Frequently asked questions

How is UNO Flip different from regular UNO?

Every card is double-sided. A Flip card turns the whole game — deck, discard, and all hands — to the opposite side, swapping the gentle Light penalties for the harsh Dark ones.

What does Wild Draw Color do?

It is the Dark side’s signature card. You pick a color, and the next player must keep drawing cards until they draw one of that color — which can be a lot of cards.

Can you play a Flip card at any time?

Yes, as long as it is a legal play (it matches the current color, or you are otherwise allowed to play it). Flip cards exist on both sides, so you can always try to flip back.

Does Skip Everyone give you another turn?

Yes. Every other player is skipped and play returns to you, so you take a second turn immediately.

House-rule ideas

  • Forced flip: require a Flip to be played whenever it is your only legal move, to keep the sides changing.
  • Dark-start: begin the game on the Dark side for a faster, meaner match.
  • Stacking Draw Fives: allow Dark Draw Fives to stack and pass the growing penalty along.

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Handy add-ons

CG Card game storage tin / case Keeps a loose UNO deck from scattering across the game-night table. SS Standard-size card sleeves Protect a deck that gets shuffled hard by kids every week.