How To Play: Colorado

Overview

If you ever thought winning Colorado was all luck, trust me, I’ve been there, clinging to hope with a pile of bad cards. After playing way too many rounds with my friends (some with potato chips, some with bitter grudges), I learned a few tricks. This guide gives an outline of the game rules and, more important, the best strategies you’ll need if you actually want to win without flipping the table.

What’s in the box

• 90 cards
• 5 scoring cards
• 1 rulebook

How To Play Colorado: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Give each player one set of colored markers. Yes, you finally get to pick your favorite color!
2. Shuffle the deck of Colorado cards real good. Put the pile in the middle of the table.
3. Decide who goes first. If you want drama, make everyone draw a card and lowest number starts.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, draw the top card from the deck.
2. Choose: Add the card to one of the open rows, or claim a row and take all cards from it.
3. If you take a row, you also remove your marker from that row. Folks, no double dipping!
4. After claiming, any empty row gets refilled next round, so the fun never stops.
5. You can only claim as many rows as you have markers. No sneaky business.

Winning

1. The game ends when the draw deck runs out.
2. Each player scores points: Only your highest card of each color counts, unless you collect more than three colors. Then, each extra color gives you penalty points.
3. Lowest score wins. It’s one game where being at the bottom is actually great!

Special Rules & Conditions

1. Jokers are wild! Use them as any color when you score.
2. If a player runs out of markers, they must wait until the round ends to play again. So pace yourself!
3. If you forget who dealt last, blame the player to your left. It’s the law of the table.

If you ever get stuck, yell “How To Play colorado” and watch as your friends scramble for the rulebook. Trust me, I’ve tried it… and it works!

Best Colorado Strategies

Mastering Card Timing and Selection in Colorado

When I played Colorado with my friends, I learned the power of smart card timing. A few simple moves can make or break your score. Below are the best ways to use good timing to win. If you want to know How To Play colorado well, keep these in mind next game.

1. Pick Your Moment

1. Watch for when opponents need a certain card and snatch it first.
2. Collect cards when others are more focused on their own sets.

2. Avoid Getting Greedy

1. Sometimes, passing on a good card keeps your options open.
2. Take risks only when the reward is clear.

3. Timing Draws vs. Claims

1. If you claim a row too soon, you might miss better options later.
2. Wait for the perfect moment, but don’t wait too long and get stuck.

With good timing, you can leave your friends shaking their heads while you quietly rack up points.

Mastering Risk Management in Colorado

Keeping Your Options Open

When I play Colorado, I try to avoid locking myself into one color too early. Instead, I keep my options open and watch my friends’ choices. This way, I can jump to less risky piles or colors before it’s too late.

1. Take cards that fit more than one of your needs.
2. Keep track of everyone else’s most picked colors.

Avoiding Dangerous Piles

I always look for piles with too many colors I don’t want. If a pile has more risk than reward, I skip it or hope someone else will grab it first!

1. Check before picking if a pile will push you toward penalty cards.
2. Pass risky piles to opponents who are already stuck with bad colors.

Timing Your Picks

Sometimes, waiting one more turn pays off. But don’t be greedy! Waiting too long can force you into a worse spot, so trust your gut and grab the best pile when you can.

1. If a pile is “safe enough,” take it. Don’t risk the whole game for one more round.
2. Watch for when your friends look nervous—then strike!

Mastering Pile Distribution in Colorado: Outwit Your Friends

Spread the Wealth

When deciding how to split cards in Colorado, I do not pile all the good cards together. Instead, I balance the piles, so each option looks tempting but risky.

1. Put one high-value card in each pile.
2. Add a penalty card with a good one to trick opponents.
3. Mix in bonus cards to sweeten a weak pile.

Bait and Switch

If you want an opponent to take a certain pile, make it look better than it is. I always use sneaky combos to distract them.

1. Hide dangerous cards behind good cards.
2. Use low-value cards to pad out an ugly pile.

Read the Room

Watch your friends’ faces and sighs. If they want a color, avoid stacking it in one pile. This adds tension and makes choices tricky.

1. Distribute popular colors evenly.
2. Switch up your pattern as the game goes on.

Go Forth and Master Colorado!

Alright, that’s the lot! After playing Colorado with my crew (and losing gloriously to my smug cousin), I can say you’ll need jokes, a poker face, and maybe a stiff drink to win. Remember, keep your eyes sharp for sneaky pile splits, and don’t let risk throw you off. With these tips, you’ll be the Colorado champ in no time. Now, grab your friends, set up the game, and show them How To Play colorado like a pro. And if you lose, just blame the shuffling, like I always do.

Want to know what we think of Colorado? Read our detailed review of Colorado here