Go Fish is a classic card game for 2-6 players where players ask opponents for specific card ranks to complete ‘books’ (sets of four matching cards). Here is a complete guide to the rules, from setup to scoring, so you can start playing right away.

1. Remember What Others Ask For

This is the single most important skill in Go Fish. When a player asks for Jacks, you know they hold at least one Jack. Track this information:

  • Player A asked for 5s → Player A has at least one 5
  • Player B said “Go fish” to a question about Kings → Player B has no Kings
  • Player C asked for Aces and got some → Player C may now have multiple Aces

The more you remember, the better your asks become.

2. Ask the Right Player

Don’t ask randomly. Target the player most likely to have what you need:

  • If Player A asked for 8s last turn, they probably still have 8s — ask them for 8s
  • If Player B just drew from the pile, they have an unknown new card — less predictable
  • If Player C said “Go fish” to someone asking for Queens, don’t ask Player C for Queens

3. Ask for Ranks Where You Have 2-3 Cards

Having multiple cards of a rank increases your chances of completing the book:

  • With 2 of the rank, you need 2 more — each successful ask gets you closer
  • With 3 of the rank, you only need 1 more — very likely to complete if someone has it
  • With 1 of the rank, you need 3 more — lower priority unless you know who has them

4. Pay Attention to “Go Fish” Responses

Negative information is just as valuable as positive:

  • If three players all say “Go fish” when asked for 9s, the fourth player might have them (or they’re in the draw pile)
  • Eliminate possibilities to narrow down where cards are

5. Control Information

Every time you ask for a card, you reveal that you hold that rank. Be strategic:

  • Don’t repeatedly ask for the same rank unless you’re about to complete a book — it tells everyone what you’re collecting
  • Vary your asks to keep opponents guessing
  • Complete books quickly before opponents can target your known cards

6. Count the Books

Track which books have been completed:

  • 13 books total in the game
  • As books are completed, the remaining ranks become more predictable
  • Late in the game, you can often deduce exactly who holds which cards

7. Draw Pile Awareness

When the draw pile gets small:

  • Cards become more scarce — each draw is more significant
  • Completed books reduce the pool of active ranks
  • The game may end soon — prioritize completing the books you’re closest to

8. Advanced: Bluffing Through Asking Order

While you must hold a card to ask for it, the order of your asks conveys information. Advanced players consider:

  • Ask for your least important rank first — if opponents steal it, you lose less
  • Save your most important ask (where you hold 3 cards) for when the target player is most likely to have the last one
  • Sometimes ask for a rank you have only one of just to observe who responds — gathering information for a future turn

Play Go Fish for free on Rare Pike and put these strategies into practice.