The first player is identified and players determine the cards they plan to collect in groups of four. The player that is the first to get the most number of sets is the winner. Players are free to ask others for specific cards they are looking for and if a player has a card that is asked for they have no choice but to hand it over which allows the receiving player to play again. Players that do not have the requested cards tell their counterparts to “go fish”, which means one has to choose one card from the pool of cards at the center.

If one draws their preferred card they have fished upon their wish and can go again, if not their turn ends and the next player on the left takes over. Sets of four that are collected should be placed on the table and wins are determined once the fish pond or pool is depleted. The player with the most number of sets becomes the winner of that particular game. Players get immediate gratification and make the game move faster when they collect and lay down pairs as opposed to waiting till they get foursomes.

Here is a video explanation of how to play the Go Fish card game: