How to Play VETO

Veto is for 2-4 players. If you have more players, add another deck to deal out more fun!

The deal - Deal 12 cards face down in 4 piles of 3 to each player. Deal 1 card face up to each pile. These cards create the Ground cards. Deal 4 cards to each player to make their hands. The remaining cards will form the draw pile.

Game play - The player to the left of the dealer starts the game by discarding any card from their hand (not from the Ground cards) to make a discard pile. Do not draw a card from the draw pile. The next player must play a card equal to/higher than or a wild card. Follow the instructions on the action cards. If the player does not have a card to play, they must pick up all the cards from the discard pile.

Winning - There is only one loser - the last player with cards remaining. 

Important rules

• A player can play multiple cards of the same value but may choose to only play one of them at a time.

• If the next player plays the same card as you, draw 3 cards.

• If you have a VETO card you can play it to stop from having to draw 3.

• A VETO card is the only card that you do not have to draw 3 if the next player plays the same card.

• If the following player plays the same card (total 3 plays) the player to your left and right both draw 3 cards.

• If any of the players that must draw play a VETO, then no one has to draw.

• If 4 or more of the same cards are played in a row, clear all cards from the discard pile and no one draws. If a VETO is played in between the 4 cards, the pile is still removed.

• All cards in a player’s hand must be played before playing the Ground cards.

• The Ground cards can be played in any order from the piles of 4. You must play the card on top before playing the cards under.

• You must play a card to the discard pile before collecting the discard cards to your hand. (Example - A 9 is on the discard pile and I have no cards in my hand. All my Ground cards are below 9. I play a card to the pile first then collect the pile.)

• Action cards - Action cards must be played for the action to change the rule of the game. Example: If high cards win and you have a 2-action card, you cannot play it on a 9.

• Action card Show the highest card in your hand does not apply to you if you only have Ground cards and none in your hand. The player who plays this card must show a card as well if any cards are left in hand.

• Action - If two cards are played together (same number as the number of the action) the action must be on the top for the action to change the rule.

• Wild - Wild does not have a value and is not a high card. Wild can be played at any time. Any card can be played on the wild. If the next player plays the same wild you must draw 3.

• Lower/Higher action: If a second Lower/Higher card is played by a following player, the previous player draws 3 and the direction of the Lower/Higher is reversed. Example: high cards win and player 1 plays the Lower/Higher card. Player 2 must play lower than an 8 but plays another Lower/Higher card. Player 1 must pick up 3 and now the cards must be played as higher than 8, lower than 8).

• You must play a card if you have a play. You cannot choose to pick up the pile. 

• If you had to draw cards you must play all cards in your hand before returning to the Ground cards.

• If the draw pile is low, reshuffle the used cards that were removed to make a new draw pile.