An introduction to the version named above. Special cases and local rules may differ. Agree on your rules before the first hand.
GAME PHASE 01
Goal & Dealing
Shed all your cards
The goal is simple: be the first player with no cards left in hand. It is usually played with a 32-card deck (a Skat deck works fine).
Five cards and a pile
Everyone receives five cards. The rest goes face down into the middle as the draw pile. The top card is turned over and placed next to it. That is the discard pile you play onto.
GAME PHASE 02
Playing & Passing
Suit or rank must match
You may play a card if it matches the top discard in suit OR in rank. If the King of clubs is on top, you can play any King, or any club.
Nothing fits? Draw!
If you cannot play a card, you draw one from the draw pile. If it fits, you may play it right away. Otherwise your turn is over and the next player goes.
GAME PHASE 03
Special Cards
The 7: draw two
If someone plays a 7, the next player must draw two cards and skip their turn. Unless they hold a 7 themselves: then they pass it on, and the player after that already draws four.
The Jack: wish a suit
The Jack is the most powerful card: you may play it on any suit and any rank and wish for a new suit. The only exception: not on another Jack, Jack on Jack is not allowed. The next player must then follow the wished suit.
Don't forget “Mau!”
When you are down to one card, you must call out “Mau” loudly. On your very last card, players often call “Mau-Mau”. If you forget and someone notices, you must draw penalty cards.
FROM READING TO UNDERSTANDING
Try it again.
With cards on the table.
The iPhone app walks you through sample rounds at your own pace. All eleven games and every lesson are free. You can also play Mau-Mau against computer opponents.
Explore Kartenschule ↗Coming soon to the App Store. In English and German.Publisher: Sebastian Kurock. Updated October 2, 2026. Based on Kartenschule’s own lessons.