Mary Engelbreit Loonacy: Rules and Gameplay Guide

Quick Answer

Mary Engelbreit Loonacy is a rapid-fire matching card game where you race to empty your hand by matching images on open piles. The first player with no cards wins.

How to Play Mary Engelbreit Loonacy

1. Setup the Game: Shuffle the deck and deal each player a hand of 7 cards. Place the remaining deck face down as a draw pile. Flip the top card of the draw pile and place it face up in the center to start the matching pile. (Common mistake: dealing too many cards—only 7 per player.) Check that each player has exactly 7 cards before starting.
2. Start the Round: All players simultaneously flip their top card from their hand and look for a match between one of the two images on their card and the image on the top card of the center pile. When you see a match, shout and place your card on top of the center pile. (Common mistake: forgetting to compare both images on your card—each card has two images, and you can match either one.) Always check both images on your card before you play.
3. Continue Matching: The center pile now has a new top card. Continue flipping and matching as fast as you can. There is no turn order—play is simultaneous. If two players try to play at the same time, the first card to touch the pile wins. (Common mistake: hesitating to play—speed is key, so trust your eyes.) If there's a dispute, the card that lands first on the pile counts.
4. Draw When Stuck: If no player can match the current top card, the next player who notices draws a card from the draw pile and places it face up on top of the center pile. This gives everyone a fresh image to match. (Common mistake: forgetting to draw when no one can match—keep an eye on the pile.) Drawing is a group action; any player can do it when play stalls.
5. Win the Game: The first player to empty their hand of all cards wins the round. For multiple rounds, keep score or just play for fun. (Common mistake: thinking you need to match the last card—you just need to play your last card onto the pile.) Once your hand is empty, you win immediately.

About the Game

• Mary Engelbreit Loonacy: Mary Engelbreit’s artwork now brightens the cards of our latest version of Loonacy! Loonacy is a rapid fire game where players race to be the first to empty their hand by matching one of two images with the images on the open piles in front of them. The unique art makes each card visually distinct, helping players spot matches faster during frantic rounds.