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Octoplus

  • Players2 to 8
  • TypeStrategy · Shedding Cards
  • Duration15 minutes
  • LanguagesEnglish & French

Octoplus is a tribute to the lucky number 8. Pick up to 8 players, from 8 to 88 years old, deal 8 cards to each of them, always try for your cards to add up to 8, aim for the total in your hands to finish in 8 — or, worst-case scenario, reach 88 with your grand total to reset to 0!

The Concept

Cover the last card played with as many cards as you want, but make sure your total never exceeds 8!

How to Play

The closest player to 8 years old deals and starts. Deal 8 cards per player and leave the rest as drawing pile. The dealer turns 1 card over at the center and starts playing on it as if it were the last card played.

On their turn, players must top up the last card played with as many of their cards as they want — but be careful:

  • Below 8: if the sum of the last card + yours is less than 8, you’re cool. The game continues onto the next player, who plays on your last card.
  • 8 sharp: if it is exactly 8, you’re great! Give 1 of your cards to a player of your choice. The game continues!
  • Over 8: if you exceed 8, ouch! Draw as many cards as the difference and the game continues.

Ex: the last card is a 6, the lowest you have is a 4. You play it — 6 + 4 = 10, so 2 above 8: you pick 2 cards. Note: the last card you put down is the next player’s base, no changing order once it’s played!

Counting Points

  • The round ends when 1 player is out of cards.
  • Number cards score face value (3 is 3, 5 is 5, etc).
  • Special cards (red) score 10 each.
  • If a player’s score for a round ends with 8 (8, 18, 28…), it is void — zero point.
  • If a player’s total score reaches exactly 88 points, it resets to zero.
  • The game ends either when 1 player reaches 89+ points, or after a maximum of 8 rounds.
  • The winner is the player with the lowest score.

Special Cards

  • +2 — adds 2 to the last card and goes on to the next player. Cannot be played with other cards. +2 cards can pile up and keep adding; the last player must play a number card (no Pass or −2 can top it), then picks as many cards as they are above 8.
  • −2 — removes 2 from the last card. Can be played along with some of your cards to reduce the total. Careful: the last card you play is the next player’s base card. Put the −2 last and you give them a chance to cover it with up to 10 points!
  • Pass — pass your turn; the previous number card still applies to the next player. Maximum 1 at a time, with no other cards.