Keep your cards face down so the other players can’t see them.
An optional way to play is to shuffle the dealt cards back into the deck after each round.
The math involved is simple and all the cards are labeled, so following along with the game isn’t too difficult.
The card you choose depends on your unique strategy and the sushi available in your hand. Get familiar with the scoring rules before you begin in order to make the best choice.
An alternative way to play is to switch the way you pass the cards each round. In a standard game, the cards always go to the left. Try passing them to the right during the second round, for instance.
Every time you select a card, place it in front of you and flip it over after everyone else has chosen a card. Keep all of these cards until the end of the round.
Only sushi and dumpling cards score points during the round. Any unused wasabi or chopstick cards are worth 0 points.
Set the gathered cards in a face up pile next to the remaining deck.
After the final round, be sure to add up the number of pudding cards each player has and include them in the final score.
Squid nigiri, for example, is worth 9 points with wasabi, but only 3 points without it. If you have a wasabi card face up, the next nigiri you take has to be placed on top of it. For instance, you can’t place an egg nigiri down, then wait to get a better card. The egg nigiri has to be placed on the wasabi. You can have as many wasabi cards as you like, but remember that unused wasabi isn’t worth any points at the end of a round.
If you have multiple chopstick cards face up in front of you, you are only able to use 1 per turn. Like wasabi, chopstick cards are worth 0 points at the end of a round. Make sure you use them during the round to rack up points.
Don’t forget the wasabi! Each nigiri on a wasabi card is worth triple points. Squid becomes 9 points, salmon is worth 6, and egg is worth 3.
These cards are worth more than nigiri, but you have to use multiple turns before they have any value. It’s a gamble that may not be worth it if you have wasabi or other valuable cards to play.
Of the 3 card types, dumplings are the surest way to get points. Other players may overlook them, making them a sneaky choice for big points. Maki rolls and pudding need to be balanced with your other card selections. If you ignore them, other players take them and gain points. However, you may gain more points by focusing on nigiri and other cards.
In case of a tie, split the points evenly between each person. For instance, the players tied for the most maki rolls each get 3 points. If players tie for first, don’t award any points for second place.
Getting multiple sets of sashimi per round is tough, so you may wish to focus on other types of sushi.
Wasabi cards without nigiri aren’t worth anything. Similarly, nigiri is only worth triple points if it is played on top of a wasabi card.
For 2 dumpling cards, you get 3 points. If you have 3 cards, you gain 6 points. For 4 cards, the total rises to 10. If you manage to collect 5 or more cards, you earn 15 points.
If players tie, split the points between them. For instance, if 2 players tie for the least amount of pudding, each player loses 3 points. In case all players have the same number of pudding cards, no one gets points. It’s rare, but it can happen.
