UnderTen glossary

UnderTen has very few rules, but it does have its own words. Here they all are, in alphabetical order, with a link to more detail where there is some.

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Card and table words

Card values

What each card counts for. Ace is 1, 2 to 10 are worth their number, and Jack, Queen and King are worth 10 each. There are no jokers. See how to play.

Deck

The face-down pile of cards in the middle. Drawing from the deck is a gamble, because nobody knows what the top card is. When the deck runs out, the discard pile is shuffled to make a new one.

Discard pile

The face-up pile where thrown cards go. Only its top card can be taken. Taking a card from here tells everyone what you picked up.

Hand

The cards you hold. Everyone starts with 7. Your hand is hidden from other players, but they can see how many cards you have.

Hand total

The sum of the card values in your hand. This is the number that matters: you can declare when it is 9 or less, and in a match it is what you add to your score after each round.

Picture cards

Jack, Queen and King. Each is worth 10, the same as a 10, which makes them the first cards most players want to get rid of.

Set

Two or more cards of the same rank, such as two 5s or three Queens. You can throw a whole set in one turn, which is the fastest way to shrink your hand. Runs (like 4, 5, 6) do not count as sets in UnderTen.

Turn and round words

Declare

Ending the round by showing that your hand is low. You can only declare at the start of your turn, before drawing, and only when your hand total is 9 or less. The declarer wins if every other hand is higher. See when to declare.

Draw

The first part of a turn: take one card, either from the deck or the top of the discard pile.

Empty hand

If you throw your last card, your hand total is 0. You declare at 0 automatically when your next turn begins. Nobody can beat 0, but a player who also reached 0 ties with you, and a tie goes against the declarer.

Failed declare

A declare that loses because someone else has the same total or lower. In a match to 50, the declarer adds 20 points on top of their hand total. See scoring.

Round

One deal of the cards, from the first turn until someone declares or the turns run out. A round usually takes a few minutes.

Shared win

When two or more players tie for the lowest hand, and the declarer is not one of the winners, they all win the round together.

Strictly lowest

Lower than everyone, not equal to anyone. This is what a declarer needs to win. A declarer at 6 loses to anyone else at 6.

Throw

The second part of a turn: put one card, or one set, on the discard pile. You cannot throw back the single card you just took from the discard pile, unless it is the only card you hold.

Turn limit

If nobody declares, a round ends after every player has had 12 turns. Everyone shows their hand and the lowest total wins.

Match and online words

Match to 50

The way online games are played. After each round every player adds their hand total to their score. Go over 50 and you are out. The last player still in wins.

One round

A room setting the host can choose instead of a match: the game ends after a single round.

Out

A player whose match score has gone over 50. They can keep watching but no longer play.

Quick match

The fastest way to play online. It seats you at a table of four straight away.

Room and room code

A private table for friends. Creating a room gives you a 5-letter code and a link to share. Up to six people can join, and the host can add bots to fill seats.

Turn timer

Online, each move has 20 seconds. If time runs out, the game makes a simple move for you: it draws, or throws your highest card. It never declares for you.

I'm back

After two turns in a row where the timer ran out, the game keeps playing for you. Tap I'm back to take over again.

Vs bots

A solo mode against one to five computer players, playing single rounds. It is the best place to learn.

Benny

UnderTen's mascot: a playing card in a coral sweatband who bends under the limbo bar. The lower your winning hand, the lower he goes. More about him on the about page.

Something missing? Check the questions and answers, or jump into a game and learn by playing.