Phase 10
Phase 10 is a rummy-style card game for 2 to 6 players aged 7 and older, in which participants compete to complete ten sequential phases of specific card combinations, with the first to finish all phases declared the winner.[1][2] Invented in 1982 by Kenneth R. Johnson, a 22-year-old entrepreneur from Detroit, Phase 10 draws inspiration from traditional rummy variants.[3] Johnson initially manufactured and sold the game from his parents' basement, with early distribution to retailers like Kmart, before partnering with Fundex Games in 1987 for broader marketing; Mattel acquired the distribution rights in 2010, expanding its reach globally and leading to over 42 million copies sold by 2012, with annual sales exceeding 4 million as of 2022.[3][4] In November 2024, Phase 10 was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame.[5] Players take turns drawing and discarding cards to complete their phases, with scoring based on cards remaining in hand at the end of each round (lower scores preferred). Skip cards allow a player to block an opponent's turn, adding strategy to the mix of luck and planning.[1]History and Development
Invention and Release
Phase 10 was invented in 1982 by Kenneth R. Johnson, a 22-year-old entrepreneur from Detroit, Michigan, who drew inspiration from various rummy-style card games he had played throughout his life.[3] Johnson, who had founded his own game company, BBH Games, in 1979, initially developed the game as a family-friendly variant emphasizing sequential challenges over traditional rummy scoring. The game was first sold that same year through Kmart stores in the United States, marking its commercial debut as an independent product.[3] In 1987, Johnson licensed Phase 10 to Fundex Games for wider distribution, which helped expand its reach beyond initial retail outlets. Fundex handled production and marketing, positioning the game as a competitive yet accessible card game suitable for 2 to 6 players aged 7 and older, appealing to families and casual gamers with its straightforward rules and replayability. By the mid-2000s, the game's popularity had grown significantly, with over 30 million units sold worldwide by 2007.[6] Sales continued to climb, reaching more than 42 million units by 2012 and exceeding 62 million by 2016.[3] In 2010, amid a legal dispute between Johnson and Fundex over royalties and licensing, in which Johnson accused Fundex of withholding payments and unauthorized sub-licenses, the parties settled, leading to Mattel acquiring the worldwide licensing rights from Fundex.[7] Under Mattel's stewardship, the game maintained its core appeal while benefiting from broader international distribution. This acquisition solidified Phase 10's status as one of the best-selling card games globally, second only to UNO in Mattel's lineup. In November 2024, Phase 10 was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong National Museum of Play.[8]Expansions and Adaptations
Following the initial release of Phase 10 in 1982, Mattel introduced expansions and special editions to refresh gameplay and appeal to broader audiences. The Phase 10 Masters Edition, launched in 2001, features enhanced rules allowing players to select their phase after viewing their hand and includes premium components like a metal storage tin and thicker cards.[9] This edition maintains the core rummy-style mechanics while adding strategic depth through options like saving one card per hand and multiple skip cards.[10] In 1993, Fundex Games released Phase 10 Dice, an adaptation replacing cards with custom dice to complete the same ten phases through rolling and set collection.[11] This version accommodates 2-6 players and emphasizes luck and quick decision-making, with dice colored to match the original game's suits.[12] Phase 10 has seen widespread international distribution, with localized editions in Europe and Asia emerging by the late 1980s and 1990s through partnerships with regional publishers.[13] Examples include multilingual versions in German, French, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Spanish, and Portuguese for European markets, as well as adaptations for Asian markets under Mattel's global licensing.[14] Digital adaptations began in 2007 with Magmic's mobile version for general mobile phones, followed by an iOS edition in 2009, Android in 2012, and BlackBerry in 2013.[15][16] The current official app, Phase 10: World Tour by Mattel163 (launched in 2019), offers solo and multiplayer modes across over 100 countries, incorporating global travel themes.[17] As of November 2025, the mobile version receives ongoing digital enhancements, including monthly themed events with new challenges, cosmetics, and social features like gifting and leaderboards to maintain player engagement.[18] Limited-edition physical sets, such as the 40th anniversary edition released in 2022, feature multilingual support and commemorative packaging to celebrate the game's enduring popularity.[13]Game Components
Card Deck Composition
The standard Phase 10 deck comprises 108 cards, as specified in the official game instructions.[19] These include 96 numbered cards, consisting of two cards each numbered from 1 to 12 across four colors—red, blue, yellow, and green—resulting in 24 cards per color.[19] The deck also features 8 Wild cards, which can substitute for any numbered card, and 4 Skip cards, designed to disrupt opponents' turns.[19] The cards are produced in a standard poker size of approximately 2.5 by 3.5 inches, facilitating easy handling and shuffling during gameplay.[20] They utilize bold, large-print numbering on solid color backgrounds for each suit, enhancing visibility and quick recognition, particularly in group settings.[21] In terms of durability, the cardstock construction is typical for mass-produced games but prone to creasing and fading with extensive play, especially on the Wild and Skip cards, which see heavier use; replacement decks are recommended for prolonged enjoyment.[22] While Mattel has committed to broader sustainability goals, including increased use of recycled materials in toys by 2030, specific print runs of Phase 10 from the 2020s do not highlight unique eco-friendly features beyond standard production.[23]Additional Materials
Standard Phase 10 sets include an instruction booklet outlining the game's rules, phase requirements, and scoring procedures, essential for new players to understand gameplay mechanics. [24] Reference cards listing the 10 phases are also provided for quick consultation during play, aiding players in recalling meld combinations without frequent reference to the full booklet. [25] Scoring is typically tracked using paper and pencil, which are not included in the set.[19] Deluxe editions of Phase 10 incorporate a shuffleboard-style plastic tray, which serves as a designated area for players to lay down their phases and organize the central discard pile, promoting orderly gameplay and preventing card clutter on tables. [26] These trays, introduced in enhanced sets from the late 1990s onward, enhance the physical setup by providing a stable surface for card placement during turns. [27] Select deluxe editions, such as the 25th Anniversary Limited Edition, also include score pads for tracking progress.[28] Packaging for Phase 10 has evolved from simple cardboard box sets in the 1980s, which housed the basic cards and instructions, to more durable tin containers in anniversary and travel editions by the 2000s and 2010s, offering portability for on-the-go play. [3] By 2020, compact travel versions featured reinforced boxes or tins to protect components during transport, maintaining accessibility without magnetic elements specific to the game. The 2022 40th Anniversary Edition includes premium components in a specially designed tin box.[29] To maintain components, users should periodically clean the card tray with a soft cloth and mild soap to remove residue, preventing cards from sticking due to dust or oils, thereby extending the lifespan of the materials. [30] These items support efficient setup, as the tray and score cards are arranged centrally before dealing to establish a clear play area.Core Rules
Objective and Setup
Phase 10 is a rummy-style card game in which the primary objective is to be the first player to complete all 10 phases, with each phase consisting of a specific meld such as sets of cards with the same number or runs of consecutive numbers.[25] In the event of a tie, the player with the lowest total score across all rounds wins.[25] The game typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes, spanning multiple hands until one player achieves this goal.[31] The game accommodates 2 to 6 players; one player is selected as the dealer at the start, and the deal rotates to the left after each hand, with turns proceeding clockwise throughout.[32][25] To set up, the dealer shuffles the 108-card deck and deals 10 cards face down, one at a time, to each player, who keeps their hand hidden.[25] The remaining cards are placed face down to form the draw pile in the center of the play area, and the top card from this pile is turned face up to initiate the discard pile adjacent to it.[25] The player to the left of the dealer goes first.[25]Phase Requirements
The gameplay of Phase 10 revolves around completing ten sequential phases, each requiring a specific combination of cards laid down during a player's turn. A set consists of three or more cards sharing the same number but in different colors, while a run comprises four or more consecutive numbered cards of any colors. Players progress by attempting their current assigned phase in each hand; successful completion advances them to the next phase, but failure requires repeating the same phase in subsequent hands until achieved. Wild cards may be used to substitute for any required card within these combinations.[32] The ten phases, in order, are detailed below:- Phase 1: Two sets of three.
- Phase 2: One set of three plus one run of four.
- Phase 3: One set of four plus one run of four.
- Phase 4: One run of seven.
- Phase 5: One run of eight.
- Phase 6: One run of nine.
- Phase 7: Two sets of four.
- Phase 8: Seven cards of the same color.
- Phase 9: One set of five plus one set of two.
- Phase 10: One set of five plus one set of three.