When Does a Round End in Skyjo?
A Skyjo round is triggered to end when one player has no face-down cards left in their grid.
That does not mean everybody immediately stops.
Step 1: one player reveals their final card
Once every remaining position in a player's grid is face up, that player has triggered the end of the round.
Step 2: everyone else gets one final turn
The other players receive one more turn each.
They can still replace a high card, reveal a hidden card or complete a matching column.
This is why ending first is risky: opponents get one last chance to improve.
Step 4: count the scores
Add the values remaining in each grid.
Removed columns count for nothing.
Step 5: check the finisher
The player who triggered the end must have the single lowest score.
If another player has an equal or lower score, the finisher's positive round score is doubled.
Example
You finish on 16.
The other players end on 22, 11 and 31.
Because somebody scored 11, your 16 becomes 32.
When should you try to finish?
Finishing is attractive when your total is already low and opponents still show expensive cards.
It is less attractive when another player visibly has a stronger grid or when your own board still has realistic opportunities to improve.
When does the whole game end?
At the end of a round, check the running totals.
If a player has reached 100 points or more, the game ends and the lowest cumulative score wins.
Written in our own words and checked against the official rulebook. Skyjo.co.uk is an independent guide, not affiliated with Magilano. Spot an error? Tell us and we fix it.