Components

• 10 cards each in 5 suits
• 6 Zap cards
• Rulebook

Object of the Game

Score the fewest points over a number of rounds by being the first to play all your cards.

Setup

• Give each player one Zap card. (Place any leftovers out of play).

• Sort the rest of the cards into 5 color suits and then create a deck with the following cards, according to the number of players:

  • 2 players: remove any 2 solid color suits
  • 3 players: remove any 1 solid color suit
  • 4-6 players: play with entire deck (Place any unused suits out of play).

• Shuffle the suits together and then deal the following number of cards face down to each player:

  • 2-4 players: 12 cards
  • 5 players: 9 cards
  • 6 players: 8 cards

• Stack any leftover cards in a facedown deck in the middle of the playing area.

• Sort your cards in your hand first by color and then by number. Add your Zap card. (Keep your cards secret from opponents).

• Grab a pen and paper to keep score.

Game Pay

Zip Zap is played in rounds. To start a round, turn over the top card from the deck into the center of the playing area. Then, without taking turns, discard cards onto the face up pile according to the following rules:

If the top card is a solid color then whoever has either

• The next number card in sequence in that color or
• The wild card that's the next number in sequence can play their card on top of the pile.

(For example, if the top card is a red 3, then whoever has either the red 4 or the wild 4 can play a card).

If the top card is a wild card, then any player can play any colored card as long as it is the next number in sequence. (For example, if the top card is a wild 7, then whoever has an 8 in any color can play a card).

Continue discarding cards according to the above rules until the round stops with one of the following events:

1. 

   Someone plays a 10 card.10 is the highest number in every suit. Whoever plays the 10 gets to go again and then continues the round by playing any card from their hand to the pile.

2. No one can play a card. If no one can play the next number in sequence to the top card (either because it has already been played or is out of the game), whoever played the last card on the pile gets to go again and continues the round by playing any card from their hand to the pile.

3. Someone plays a Zap card.

Zap Cards

Your Zap card is powerful because it allows you to retain control of the round even if you don't have the next number card in sequence. (Think of it like a wild card).

However, you may only play your Zap card if you played the last number card on the discard pile.

To play your Zap card, call out "ZAP!" right after you play a number card and then place your Zap card on the discard pile. Then continue the round by playing any card you want from your hand to the pile.

Notes

• If more than one player plays a valid number card at the same time, only the first card down stays.

• If you have several cards in sequence in a particular color you may play all of them, but you must discard them one at a time.

• Remember, you may only play your Zap card once per round and only if you played the last card on the discard pile.

• In the rare case that no one can play a card on top of the first card turned in a round, turn over the next card from the face down deck.

Ending a Round and Scoring

A round ends immediately when a player has played their last card (including Zap card) and shouts "Zip Zap!" Then all other players count up the cards left in their hands. Each solid colored card counts for 1 point.

Each wild colored card counts for 3 points. Zap cards count for 5 points. Write down everyone's scores.

Then gather all the cards (including any that were in the face down deck), shuffle and deal out another round. (Remember to give each player a Zap card).

End of the Game

Play a number of rounds equal to the number of players. (In a 2 or 3 player game, play two rounds per player).

Whoever has the lowest score at the end of the final round wins.

Alternate: Eliminate the per-card scoring rules and simply award one point to whoever goes out first each round. At the end of the last round, whoever has the most points wins.

Continue Reading