Mattel's Card Game UNO Encourages Players to Break the Rules

Posted on February 5, 1998

Mattel Inc. is calling on all players of its popular card game UNO to develop their own "house rules" in a nationwide search for new rules to incorporate into the actual game rules. Open to U.S. residents ages 7 and older, the Mattel "UNO ... Your House Rules Can Rule!" contest kicks off Feb. 10 and will run through May 15, 1998.

Contest entries must be postmarked by May 15, 1998, and received no later than May 30. Entry forms are available online at http://www.service.mattel.com/uno, or by calling 888/281-5284.

In its search for America's best UNO "house rules," Mattel is looking for unusual and creative rules that build off the current rules and enhance game play, yet are simple enough to be easily adopted by UNO players everywhere. Each entry received will be evaluated by independent experts and representatives from Mattel.

Three lucky winners may have their rules incorporated into the official UNO rules. All three will win cash prizes -- a grand prize of $5,000, followed by a second prize of $2,500 and a third prize of $1,500. In addition, the winners will be flown to Los Angeles in November for the Mattel/UNO Celebration Party and will receive a package of Mattel games.

With 120 million games sold worldwide since its creation in 1971, UNO is considered to be the nation's most popular card game. The object of the game is simple: get rid of all the cards in a hand by matching the colors or numbers on a discard pile. A player down to his or her last card must say, "UNO!" in order to win. UNO was created by Merle and Marie Robbins, their son Ray and his wife in 1971, with a total investment of $8,000, as an alternative to card favorites such as Crazy Eights, poker, pinochle and bridge.