Be the first to get rid of all your cards. Match the suit or the rank, hit your rivals with 7s and 8s, and say “Mau” before your last card!
Mau Mau rules
Mau Mau is a classic German shedding card game for 2–5 players, usually played with a 32-card deck (7 through Ace in each suit). Each player is dealt five cards, one card is turned face up to start the discard pile and the rest form the draw pile.
On your turn, play one card that matches the suit or the rank of the top card. If you can’t (or don’t want to) play, draw one card. If the drawn card fits, you may play it straight away; otherwise your turn ends.
The next player draws two cards, unless they play another 7 to pass on a bigger penalty (4, 6, 8…).
The next player misses their turn.
Play a Jack on any card and name the suit the next player must follow.
Say “Mau” as you play your second-to-last card. Forget and you draw a penalty card.
The first player to empty their hand wins the round, traditionally with a triumphant “Mau-Mau!” House rules vary a lot. Some groups make Aces skip instead of 8s, ban finishing on a Jack, or score the cards left in the losers’ hands. The online version above uses the most common rules listed here.
Strategy tips
- Hold on to your Jacks. A wild card is your escape when nothing else matches. Use it late.
- Keep a long suit. Steering play into the suit you hold most of keeps your options open.
- Save 7s and 8s for the leader. Hit the player who is close to going out.
- Watch the wished suit. When an opponent names a suit, they likely have more of it.
FAQ
What happens if you forget to say Mau?
If you play your second-to-last card without saying “Mau”, you must draw a penalty card. Many house rules make it two.
Is Mau Mau the same as Uno or Crazy Eights?
They are close relatives. All three are shedding games where you match suit (or colour) or rank. Mau Mau uses a regular deck, with 7s, 8s and Jacks acting like Uno’s Draw Two, Skip and Wild cards.
Can you stack 7s in Mau Mau?
Yes, in most rules. If a 7 is played on you, you can play another 7 to pass the penalty on, and the next player must draw four, and so on.