1. The goal: the lowest total
BOYO is for two to eight players, including bots. Everyone starts each round with four face-down cards. Cards have point values, and you want the lowest total. After the chosen number of rounds, the lowest combined score wins.
Red kings are worth −2; jokers are −1; aces are 1; numbered cards are worth their number; jacks, queens and black kings are 10.
Example: A hand with a red king, a joker, a 3 and a 10 scores −2 − 1 + 3 + 10 = 10 points.
2. Peek, remember and get ready
At the beginning of a round, tap two of your own face-down cards to look at them. Try to remember both the card and its position. Press READY when you are done. Play begins when everyone is ready or the timer ends.
Example: You see that your first card is a 10 and your third card is an ace. Later, replacing the 10 could lower your score; keeping the ace could be useful.
3. Take your turn
You can either take the visible top discard or draw an unknown card from the deck.
- Take the discard: tap the discard pile, then tap one of your own cards. You put the visible discard in that spot, and your old card goes face-up onto the discard pile.
- Draw from the deck: tap DRAW or the deck. Only you see the card you draw. You can replace one of your own cards with it, or use DISCARD DRAWN to put it on the discard pile instead.
After a swap or a discarded draw, choose END TURN or, if it is still available, call BOYO.
Example: You remember a 10 in your first spot and draw a 2. Tap that first card to swap it for the 2. The 10 is placed on the discard pile, and your remembered total is lower.
4. Use powers on drawn cards
Some cards grant a power when drawn from the deck. Choose a displayed power, then follow the prompt. You can use an available power before choosing what to do with the drawn card; discarding that card skips any powers you have not used.
- 7 — peek at your own card. Choose one of your cards to see it briefly.
- 9 — peek at a rival’s card. Choose the player first; their cards grow in a larger selection view. Then choose one card to see it briefly.
- 10 — blind swap. Choose one of your cards, then one belonging to another player. The cards swap places without being revealed.
- Black king — all three powers. It gives you the own-peek, rival-peek and blind-swap powers, each usable once.
Example: Draw a 9, choose “Peek at a rival’s card,” select the rival and then select a card in the larger view. Remember what you saw; the card becomes hidden again after a short time.
5. TAP: match the discard
During play you may use TAP even when it is not your turn. Choose one of your hidden cards whose rank matches the visible top discard. The suit does not have to match.
Example: The discard is 8♥ and you remember an 8♠ in your hand. Choose TAP, then that card. If you are right, it leaves your hand. If you are wrong, the card stays and you take a face-down penalty card if one is available.
6. Call BOYO and finish the round
When you think your hand is low enough, call BOYO on your turn before drawing, or after completing a swap or discarding your drawn card. Everyone else gets exactly one final turn. Then all cards are revealed and the round is scored. BOYO can only be called once per round.
There is no bonus simply for calling: the goal is still the lowest score. A call that is too early gives everyone else a final chance to improve their hand.
7. Starting an online game
Enter a nickname and choose Create Online Room. Share the invitation link or six-character room code with your friends. The host can set rounds and decks, add bots, and start when at least two seats are filled. Friends choose Join with Code or open the invitation link.
To practise, choose Play vs Bots on the main menu. The same rules apply.
Ready to try? Return to BOYO and play. You can open the in-game guide at any time using the question-mark button.