Up or Down? Card Game: How to Play and Score Each Round

By Capstone Games - Evolving Gameplay | Published: 2026-11-03

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to play Up or Down? by Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling. This step-by-step guide covers the rules, scoring, and tips for teaching this fast-paced card game for up to 6 players.

Quick Answer

To play Up or Down?, build ascending and descending columns of cards that score points at the end of the game. The more cards of the same color in a column, the more points you earn. Keep each elevator going the same way until the game ends to maximize your score.

Why the Elevator Direction Matters

In Up or Down?, each column represents an elevator that moves either up or down. Once you choose a direction for a column, you must keep adding cards in that direction until the game ends. This commitment is the core tension: switching directions is not allowed, so every card you place locks you into a path. The game rewards foresight—plan your columns early and watch what cards remain in the deck.

Scoring at the End of the Game

Scoring happens only at the end of the game. Each column scores points based on the number of cards of the same color in that column. The more cards of a single color you stack in a column, the more points that column is worth. Columns with mixed colors score less, so aim to concentrate colors in each elevator.

Step-by-Step: How to Play Up or Down?

Set Up the Deck and Starting Columns: Shuffle the deck and deal each player a starting hand. Place two cards face up in the center to begin the first two columns—one ascending and one descending. Common mistake: forgetting to establish both directions early, which limits your options later. Check that both an ascending and a descending column are available before play begins.
On Your Turn, Play a Card to a Column: Choose one card from your hand and add it to either an ascending or descending column, following the direction rule. If you cannot play, you may pass. Common mistake: playing too many cards of different colors in the same column, which dilutes scoring potential. Aim to match the color of the column’s existing cards whenever possible.
Keep Elevators Moving in One Direction: Once a column is started as ascending, all subsequent cards must be higher than the previous card; descending columns must be lower. You cannot reverse direction. Common mistake: accidentally placing a card that breaks the sequence—double-check before playing. Before placing, verify the card fits the column’s direction and value order.
End the Game and Score Columns: The game ends when the deck is exhausted or all players cannot play. Score each column: count the number of cards of the most frequent color in that column and multiply by the column’s length (or use the scoring pad if provided). Common mistake: forgetting to score only the majority color per column. Tally each column separately and sum for your final score.
Teach New Players with a Practice Round: For first-time players, run a short practice round with open hands to demonstrate the direction rule and scoring. Common mistake: skipping the practice and jumping into a full game, which often leads to confusion about column commitment. Use a practice round to reinforce the one-direction rule before starting a real game.

Product Facts

Up or Down?: Designed by Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling, and plays up to 6 players. This makes it a reliable choice for larger game nights where you need a quick, engaging card game.
Up or Down?