How To Play: Colorado

Overview

If you’ve ever sat at a table playing Colorado and felt like your friends were wizards while you were a lost tourist, this guide is for you. I’ll hit you with an easy outline of the game rules, then share the best strategies I’ve picked up (and sometimes totally messed up) while playing with my own crew. Stick around to boost your game and maybe even leave your friends stunned.

What’s in the box

• 56 playing cards
• 5 summary cards
• Scoring pad
• Pencil
• Rulebook

How To Play Colorado: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Shuffle the deck and place it in the center of the table.
2. Give each player a score sheet and a pencil. (If you don’t have a pencil, you can use the back of your hand. But really, get a pencil.)
3. Pick a dealer. The last person who saw a mountain is a great choice. If you live in Kansas, draw straws!

Gameplay

1. On their turn, a player draws one card from the deck.
2. Next, they must either start a new stack of a different color or add to an existing stack of that color in front of them.
3. You may have up to three different color stacks. If you want a fourth color, you have to take a risk! (I mean, who ever needed a fourth color?)
4. When you draw wild cards, you can assign them to any color – but think twice, wilds can really mess up your score.
5. Once all the cards run out, the game ends. Yes, that fast! Don’t blink.

Winning

1. After the last card, add up your points. Only your three best color stacks score, the rest count as negative points. Ouch.
2. Whoever has the highest total wins. If tied, celebrate with a handshake, or thumb war (your choice).

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If you pick a fourth (or fifth) color, you can keep going but you’ll only score your three best colors. The rest hurt your score.
2. Wild cards can be sneaky. Use them to fill gaps or ruin your friend’s day (just kidding…sort of).
3. If someone finishes their score sheet for the year, they must buy the next round of snacks. (Okay, that’s my house rule.)

And that’s how to play Colorado! If you’re looking for more tips, check my post on How To Play colorado and take your card hoarding to the next level!

Best Colorado Strategies

Mastering Card Management in Colorado: Outplay Your Friends!

Keep Your Options Open

Flexibility is your best friend in Colorado. When you play, remember this:

1. Don’t commit to a color too soon.
2. Leave room for fixing bad luck later.
3. Grab extra cards only if you can handle the points.

Watch Your Hand Size

Small hands keep your options wider. Try to:

1. Collect only 3-4 colors at most.
2. Resist the urge to take tempting cards if you don’t need them.

How To Play colorado Like A Card Whisperer

Finally, remember the discard pile! Sometimes, the best card is the one you drop to stop your friends.

The Balancing Act: Risk Versus Reward in Colorado

Knowing When to Push Your Luck

First, you must decide if the card pile is worth it. Sometimes, grabbing a small pile early feels safe, but waiting for bigger piles can pay off.

1. Check your colors often.
2. Leave risky piles for braver friends.
3. Take small piles if you lack matching colors.

Reading the Table

Meanwhile, watch what your friends are collecting. If someone risks a big stack, they might give you a better option soon.

1. Observe who is desperate for certain colors.
2. Snatch piles that mess with their plans.

Chasing Big Rewards

Finally, sometimes you need to take a chance and grab a stack with lots of cards. If you do, make sure it fits your hand, or your points will tank. Last Friday, I took a pile I thought was gold. Spoiler: it was absolutely not gold, but next round, I won big by waiting. Timing is everything!

Mastering the Art of Reading Opponents in Colorado

Watch Their Patterns

Pay close attention to your friends’ habits. Do they always grab high cards? Or do they shy away from risks? This info gives you a leg up.

1. Notice when they hesitate or rush their turn.
2. Track which suits they keep or ditch.

React to Their Moves

When your friend suddenly picks up a card you know is risky, take note. You can then adjust your moves—and sometimes even force them to bust!

1. Change your gameplay based on their choices.
2. Block them from getting needed cards.

Spot the Bluffers

Some friends will fake a bad hand or pretend not to care. Don’t fall for it! Instead, call their bluff and upset their plans.

1. Question their reactions out loud.
2. Push them into making mistakes.

How To Play colorado gets more exciting when you read your friends like open books!

Final Thoughts: Be Bold, Be Crafty, Be Colorado

After too many rounds of Colorado (seriously, my friends started hiding the deck), I’ve learned that this game is like a spicy burrito—simple on the outside, but boy, there’s a lot going on inside. Learning How To Play colorado well means taking risks, watching your pals, and knowing when to chicken out. If you can keep your cool and manage your cards, you’ll leave the table a legend. Just don’t let anyone see your poker face – mine cracks every time someone mentions dessert.

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