The History of UNO: From Crazy Eights to the Card Game that Inspired MadOne

From Crazy Eights to UNO — and now, the wild MadOne: The evolution of card game classics

Card games have long been the heartbeat of casual gaming — easy to learn, quick to play, and dangerously addictive. Throughout history, many of card games were developed and experimented with and, among them, the UNO has earned a legendary spot on coffee tables around the world. But before it became a household name, UNO had a humble, yet fascinating start. And today, its spirit is still alive — and gets even wilder — in modern party games like MadOne.

The prototype: Crazy Eights

Before UNO came onto the scene, there was Crazy Eights, a simple hand-emptying game played with a standard 52-card deck. Its rules? Match the suit or number of the card in the discard pile, with the number 8 acting as a wild card. First to empty their hand wins. It was straightforward but open to countless variations — and it laid the groundwork for something bigger.

The birth of UNO: A family barber’s idea

In 1971, Merle Robbins, a barber from Ohio, turned a family rules debate into a global phenomenon. Frustrated by disagreements about how to play Crazy Eights, Robbins designed a new deck with printed instructions and colored numbers to standardize the game. He named it “UNO” (Spanish for "one") to match the game's key win condition: be the first to play your last card, but don’t forget to shout "UNO!" before doing it.

Merle and his family printed the first 5,000 decks using their savings and sold them out of their home and barbershop. Eventually, they sold the rights to UNO for $50,000 plus royalties to a group of investors, who helped it reach national, and later - global popularity.

UNO goes global

By the early 1980s, UNO was already being sold in toy stores across the U.S., thanks to the International Games company and its promotional efforts. In 1992, Mattel acquired the rights and helped transform UNO into one of the most popular card games in the world. It’s now available in more than 80 countries and has spawned countless editions — from UNO Flip! to UNO Attack and brand collabs with Mario, BTS, and even Barbie.

How did UNO endure so long? It’s the perfect mix of strategy, simplicity, and a healthy dose of drama — especially when that +4 card hits.

Enter MadOne: A grown-up party game inspired by the classics

While UNO kept its family-friendly charm, the world of adult party games has been calling for something bolder. That’s where MadOne by Mad Party Games comes in.

Inspired by the chaotic spirit of Crazy Eights and the accessibility of UNO, MadOne adds new layers of fun — like challenge cards, a dice, and even shot cups — making it the perfect game for party people who love fast rules and wild outcomes.

Try MadOne Now!

It’s perfect for 2–10 players, lasts around 20 minutes, and can be played as a classic card game or a drinking game. With MadOne in hand, you can bring the madness to your next game night — with free shipping and a 30-day return policy.