How To Play: Parade

Overview

If you have ever watched your friends claim victory at Parade while you sit there holding a handful of regret, this guide is for you. Today, I will walk you through an outline of the game rules and share my best strategies for winning the game. Grab your snacks and let me show you How To Play parade like a true champion—no confetti required (but encouraged).

What’s in the box

• 66 Parade cards
• 1 Rulebook

How To Play Parade: Rules Summary

Setup: Prepare For A Parade!

1. Shuffle the deck of colorful cards.
2. Deal 5 cards to each player.
3. Place the rest of the deck face down as a draw pile.
4. Lay 6 cards face up in a row to start the parade.
5. Decide who last saw a parade—this person goes first. If you’ve never seen a parade, just fight over it.

Gameplay: March Those Cards

1. On your turn, play one card from your hand to the end of the parade row.
2. Count forward in the parade a number of spaces equal to the value of your card. Those cards are safe for this round.
3. Any card beyond those safe ones might be taken by you—if they match the played card’s color or are lower or equal in value.
4. Pick up all cards you must take and add them to your collection (don’t brag).
5. Draw a card to refill your hand, unless the draw pile is empty.

Winning: Who Eats The Fewest Lemons?

1. The game ends if the draw pile is empty and one player has no cards left in hand, or all cards are gone from the parade.
2. Count all the cards you collected in each color.
3. If you have the most cards in any color, those cards only count as one point each. Otherwise, count their face value.
4. Lowest total score wins! If you tie, the player with fewer cards wins. If you still tie, just admit you’re both too good at parades.

Special Rules & Conditions: What Could Go Wrong?

1. If you cannot draw a card (because the deck is empty), just keep playing with what’s in your hand until someone’s hand runs out.
2. In a two-player game, use special rules (see the rulebook for details, or make up something wild like I did once—don’t recommend).
3. Remember, you cannot look at anyone’s collected cards until final scoring. No peeking! Unless you’re a cat, then you do what you want.

That’s it! Now you know How To Play parade. March on and may your lemons be few!

Best Parade Strategies

Take Control: Master Card Management in Parade

Know When to Hold or Play

When I play Parade, I always remember to think before I drop a card. Timing matters. Instead of rushing, I ask myself, “Will this cause chaos or keep things smooth for me?”

1. Keep your lowest cards for emergencies.
2. Try to match colors sparingly to avoid collecting too many penalty points.
3. Watch what friends are collecting and keep those cards out of their hands if you can.

Maintain a Balanced Hand

After several games, I learned it’s best to avoid a hand stuffed with high numbers. Instead, mix it up!

1. Aim for a mix of colors and values.
2. Don’t be afraid to take a risk if it means your next draw could save you later.

Adapt to Changing Parades

Every turn is full of surprises. Stay flexible and breathe through surprises!

1. Adjust your strategy as the parade gets longer.
2. Use opponents’ choices for hints on what to play next.

With these card management tactics, you’ll feel more in control and know exactly how to play Parade for a better shot at glory!

Mastering the Art of Perfect Timing in Parade

Plan Ahead, Not Behind

Thinking a step ahead saves you from nasty surprises in Parade. I learned the hard way when my friend Pete slipped in a blue six that wrecked my whole plan. Ouch.

1. Keep track of colors already played.
2. Watch for when big cards might hurt you most.

Seize the Right Moment

If you wait too long, the parade fills up fast. I once blinked and found myself with all the yellows. Terrible. Always strike when the risk is lowest.

1. Play high cards when your suit is scarce.
2. Drop low cards when your hand is hot with trouble.

React, But Don’t Panic

Sometimes you have to change your plan on the fly. Stay calm and adjust. The best Parade wins come from cool heads.

1. Adapt your play if the parade shifts suddenly.
2. Don’t rush moves—wait for your chance.

Mastering Mind Games: Reading Your Opponents in Parade

Watch Their Card Patterns

First, always pay attention to the colors and numbers your friends love to play. This gives you clues about what they are holding.

1. Notice repeated colors or suspiciously low cards.
2. Track cards your opponents avoid.

Predict Their Goals

Next, since every player wants to avoid gaining cards, watch for moments when someone suddenly plays higher cards. That usually means they want to shake up the parade.

1. Check for risk-takers who force surprises.
2. Spot cautious players that only play safe cards.

React in Real-Time

Finally, always adjust your own plan based on their moves. For example, after my friend played three blue cards in a row, I avoided blue and saved myself a big headache.

1. Change your play if you spot a pattern.
2. Keep your plans flexible, never fixed.

How To Play parade is more about Sherlock Holmes-level observation than just luck!

The Final March: Parade Glory Awaits!

Well, there you have it—my friends and I tried every trick in the book, and sometimes we even made up new ones (usually by accident). If you remember how to play Parade, keep your card choices sneaky, time your moves right, and watch those squinty-eyed friends, you’ll be parading your way to victory. And if you lose, just blame the Cheshire Cat. That fuzzy menace gets away with everything anyway. Good luck and may your parades be short and your points even shorter!

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