Sushi Go Rules – How to play Sushi Go
“Sushi Go” is a card game that involves 2-5 players. It consists of 108 cards. These cards have different components of Sushi on them and each card holds different values. Players start with several cards and complete three rounds to finish the game. Sushi Go, follows the pass & play rule which requires players to take their turn and then pass cards to their left. Players have to consider their own needs of cards to win, by predicting their opponents’ move. This keeps the players engrossed and makes Sushi Go very exciting. Having the sushi go rules knowledge will make this game more enjoyable and full of fun, and you can play in a better way.
Sushi Go was launched by an Australian designer, Phil Walker, in 2013. He credits the popularity of Sushi Go due to its intuitive, smooth and simplistic game structure. However, he has also launched an expanded version of Sushi Go, which is the Sushi Go party that involves more cards and rules, respectively.
Let’s learn about the things you need to play a game of Sushi Go.
How to play Sushi Go
Requirement of the game
Sushi Go requires two to five players and is played in 3 rounds. Cards from the main deck are divided among the players. Remember that the distribution of cards among players solely depends on the number of people willing to play.
• A two-player game requires ten cards, each player.
• In a 3 player game, nine cards are given to each player.
• Similarly, 4 players require eight, and 5 players get seven cards each.
It is also required of the players to keep a score-keeping person to avoid any confusion.
The objective of the game
There is only one goal to achieve while you are playing Sushi Go; collect the cards with the highest score. Each card scores differently than the other. The player who gets the highest score wins the game after the completion of all rounds. This makes “Sushi Go” fun, challenging, harboring a competitive yet exciting environment.
Scoring Chart in Sushi Go
In a single deck of Sushi Go, you get a total of 108 cards. Each card holds different points with different elements of Sushi on it.
• 4 Chopstick cards
• 5 Egg Nigiri
• 5 Squid Nigiri
• 6 Wasabi
• 6 x 1 Maki Roll
• 8 x 3 Maki Roll
• 12 x 2 Maki Rolls
• 10 Puddin
• 10 Salmon Nigiri
• 14 Tempura
• 14 Sashimi
• 14 Dumpling
Understanding Sushi Go cards
Winning “Sushi Go” requires an understanding of the cards, their value, and their technique. For example, a chopstick card has zero value but can help you score if you understand how to strategize it. Written below is the breakdown of all the “Sushi Go” cards and their value.
1. Tempura
• Tempura doesn’t give you any points unless you put multiples of two tempura cards.
2. Sashimi
• Sashimi is just like Tempura. But it requires you to use three Sashimi cards to score 10 points. A single sashimi card will not score you any points.
3. Dumplings
• It is encouraged to stuff yourself on dumplings when playing “Sushi Go” because, unlike Tempura and Sashimi, Dumplings always score a point. For each dumpling you place, you score points. 1 Dumpling gives you one point, but two Dumplings will give you three points. 5 and more dumplings give you 15 points.
4. Nigiris
• There are three kinds of Nigiris in “Sushi Go”. You should try to collect as many Nigiris as you can because each Nigiri, be it egg, salmon or squid helps you score. Sushi Go rules state that you can also increase the value of your Nigiri, by pairing it with Wasabi. Placing your Nigiri on the top of a Wasabi card means that you have increased the flavor of Nigiri and made it more tasteful. Hence, an increase in points.
5. Makis
• Sushi Go offers 3 types of Makis with different numbers of Makis on each card. When playing Sushi Go, remember to use as many Makis as you can to win. If two players face a tie in Maki, then the Sushi Go rules state that the score will be halved between the two players. Any other player with Maki will get 0 points. However, if there is 1 player with the most Maki and the other two players face a tie in their Maki cards then they’ll divide the score among them and the player with the most Makis will get 6 points.
6. Pudding
• Pudding cards are like Makis. Try to get the highest amount of Puddings as possible. But unlike Makis, the player who collects the most Pudding gets 6+points. There is no second place in Pudding. Interestingly, Sushi Go rules state that whoever gets less Pudding or none at all will get -6 points. Also, unlike other cards, Puddings are not discarded after each round. They are only counted after the completion of all three rounds. If all the players get the same amount of Pudding cards then nobody gets or loses a point.
7. Chopsticks
• Chopsticks do not hold any value, rather it allows you to strategize your move. Let’s say that you are looking to strategize your win, and placing a Chopstick card might be your best way to win. Drawing a Chopstick card allows you to place two cards in your next turn. Place a card and yell “Sushi Go”. this is how you inform other players that you are going to draw another card. This will increase your chance to score higher if used properly. Once the cards are drawn, take the chopstick card and pass it to the next player with the other cards.
Basic Sushi Go Rules
• Arrange the cards and proceed by dividing the cards among players.
• Each player picks a card and places it upside down in front of them.
• Once a card is placed, the player passes the rest of the in-hand cards to the player on his left.
• This is where one has to strategize and set the tone for the rest of the game.
• Players keep playing the cards until they are left with zero cards.
• Then the players proceed and reveal their cards
• They count their scores respectively and put those cards aside. These cards do not go back in the main deck.
• Then it’s time for round two.
• Round two begins with players drawing new cards from the main shuffled deck.
• Players are supposed to repeat the same pass & play dynamic until the completion of all three rounds.
• Finally, each player calculates the overall score, and the player who scores the highest wins.
FAQs
Q: Does the placement of cards matter in Sushi Go?
A: Yes, the order in which you draw your cards determines your score. For example, Wasabi placed on Nigiri increases your points.
Q: When do I say “Sushi Go”?
A: Using a chopstick card allows you to take two turns at once. But after drawing one card, you yell “Sushi Go” for other players to hear, and then you draw one more card.
Q: What things do I need to play Sushi Go?
1. “Sushi Go”
2. Paper
3. Pencil to keep score
4. 2 – 5 Players