When does a Skyjo score double?
The round-ending player doubles a positive round score unless they have the single lowest score.
The test
After everyone has taken a final turn and all layouts are scored, compare the player who ended the round with the rest.
- If their score is uniquely lower than every other score, keep it as it is.
- If another player is lower, double the ender's positive score.
- If another player ties the ender, the ender is not uniquely lowest, so double a positive score.
Zero and negative totals
The official rule protects non-positive results from this penalty. A zero or negative round score is not doubled.
The ender scores 8 and another player scores 8. The ender's recorded score becomes 16. The other player's remains 8.
Do not double every player's score, and do not double merely because someone ended the round. The rule applies only to the ending player after comparing final totals.
When a score doubles
Four worked examples of the round-ending doubling rule: ender on 8 against 12 and 15 does not double; ender on 8 against another 8 doubles to 16; ender on 8 against a 4 doubles to 16; ender on minus 2 against minus 4 stays at minus 2.
Clear lowest, no double
Pete ended on 8 and nobody matched him.
| Player | Round | Counts as |
|---|---|---|
| Pete Ended it | 8 | 8 |
| Rachel | 12 | 12 |
| Sam | 15 | 15 |
A tie is enough
Rachel merely equalled Pete. That is not unique, so Pete doubles.
| Player | Round | Counts as |
|---|---|---|
| Pete Ended it | 8 | ×2 16 |
| Rachel | 8 | 8 |
| Sam | 15 | 15 |
Beaten outright
Rachel went lower. Same result: Pete doubles.
| Player | Round | Counts as |
|---|---|---|
| Pete Ended it | 8 | ×2 16 |
| Rachel | 4 | 4 |
| Sam | 15 | 15 |
Negatives never double
Pete ended on −2 and Rachel beat him with −4. Zero and negative round scores are not doubled.
| Player | Round | Counts as |
|---|---|---|
| Pete Ended it | -2 | -2 |
| Rachel | -4 | -4 |
| Sam | 9 | 9 |
Only the unique lowest is safe. Equalling the ender is enough to double them.
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.