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Phase 10

Phase 10 is a race through ten escalating requirements. Experts front-load hard phases when opponents are scattered and weaponize Skip cards against players about to go out.

Quick winning principles

  • Complete your phase before laying extra cards — going out matters.
  • Save Skip cards for the player one phase ahead of you.
  • Use Wilds on hard phases (7s runs, 9s of one color).
  • Lay off on opponents' phases to empty hand faster.

Ideal strategy

  1. 1

    Phase order planning: phases 6-8 (runs of 7, 9 of one color) are hardest. Draw aggressively early when opponents can't Skip you effectively.

  2. 2

    Skip card targeting: skip the player who will complete phase and go out this turn — not the leader in total score unless they're also closest to out.

  3. 3

    Wild allocation: one wild completes most phases. Never use wild on phase 1-3 unless it lets you go out same turn.

  4. 4

    Layoff strategy: attach to opponent completed phases to dump deadwood — going out with 0 cards beats holding for next phase.

  5. 5

    Hand retention between phases: if you complete phase 4 but can't go out, keep cards that start phase 5 to avoid dead draws.

  6. 6

    Score pressure: when behind on points, take risks to go out first; when ahead, play safe and force opponents to hold cards.