Elevator is a hand-shedding game you can play with just about anyone. It’s simple to pick up and perfect for players who like games with a little bit of strategy but not too much.
Players are working to be the first to get rid of all their cards. To do this, they must continue to build the discard pile in ascending or descending order by alternating color.
Goal: Be the first player to play all of their cards
What You Need:
- 1 standard deck of playing cards
- 3-6 players
Revolving Card Tray | Our Favorite Playing Cards
Watch How to Play Elevator
We filmed a short overview of the rules! In this video, we’ve reimagined the game with a Christmas theme, calling it Up and Down the Chimney. Perfect for family game night during Christmas! All the rules are the same.
The Deal
- Shuffle and deal 7 cards to each player.
- Place the remaining cards in the center to form the draw pile.
- Turn one card over to start the discard pile.
Card Rank: 2 Low – Ace High. Jokers are wild
How to Play Elevator
The game always begins with players ascending up the chimney.
On their turn players will choose card(s) from their hand to play onto the discard pile.
You can play cards so long as they are:
- The same rank as the current card in an opposite color (black on red. red on black)
- A rank higher than the current card in an opposite color (black on red, red on black)
- A wild
Players may play multiple cards on their turn so long as all of the cards are of the same rank and they follow the alternating color rule.
Example: the discard pile has a black 7. A player may play a red 9 and then a black 9 from their hand.
The player could not play two red 9’s.
Jokers are wild. When a Joker is played the pile resets.
The next player may play any card they want. The discard pile is ascending from this card.
(if they play an Ace, the deck descends)
Once an Ace is played, the discard pile now builds in descending order down to 2, then goes back up again.
(Like an elevator goes up and down)
If you cannot play a card, you pass. Draw one card from the draw deck. Play proceeds with the next player.
If the deck is empty, players do not draw.
Passing
On your turn, if the previous player played a card, you may choose to pass, even if you could play.
However, if the previous player passed, the next player may only pass if they are unable to play.
STUCK IN THE ELEVATOR
If you play a card and then every other player passes, you have become stuck in the elevator.
Draw cards equal to the number of players in the game and add them to your hand.
If the draw pile is empty, players give the player stuck in the elevator one card from their hand, beginning with the opponent on the left. If the player stuck in the elevator can partially draw from the draw pile before it runs out, the rest of the required draw cards come from their opponents starting with the player to their left. This ends their turn. The next player gets to continue the pile with any card they wish.
WINNING
The first player to empty their hand wins the game.
It is possible for a player to win the game when giving a card to a player stuck in the chimney.
Tips for Elevator
Knowing when to pass is a key to winning Elevator. Pay attention to the cards that have been played. Choosing to pass when you hold cards that could be played is a smart way to get someone stuck in the elevator and force them to take cards.
Likewise, it is wise to pass rather than playing a card you believe no one will be able to follow can save you from becoming stuck in the elevator yourself.
Play First to 3 Wins.
Games of Elevator can go quickly! You can play one and done rounds for quick games.
For a longer game, the first player to win 3 games wins the match!
If you enjoyed this post on How to Play Elevator, then you may also enjoy:
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