The very first UNO Social Club in the world recently opened at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The initiative by Mattel offers themed rooms and customized UNO game tables. The popular card game is a family favorite, and it was a smart decision of Mattel to acquire the rights to it, as today almost 80% of American households own UNO.
How do players play UNO?
Each player must try to discard the cards in their hands based on numbers, colors, or symbols. When they have only one card left, players shout ‘UNO,’ which means “one” in Italian and Spanish. Various action cards and wild cards can shake up the game.
At the UNO Social Club, players can play variants of UNO. This is similar to what happens in online gambling, where operators offer variants of popular card games that people have been playing for centuries, like blackjack and poker.
The UNO Social Club concept
Ray Adler, vice president and global head of games at Mattel, says UNO Social Clubs will reimagine what game night can be. The brand owns some of the most iconic game brands and is transforming some of these legacy brands into experiential formats. The idea of the UNO Social Club is to bring people together to play, make connections, and enjoy some friendly competition in a unique environment. The UNO brand colors feature prominently in the location.
Apart from the main suite and lounge areas in the club, there is also a UNO-themed bowling alley. At the launch of the club, a contest winner and guest were given a three-day stay in the UNO Social Club luxury suite with its custom décor and a personal UNO host to shuffle the deck.
Other guests can stay in this suite, which is now open for general bookings. While the club is located in the casino, it offers social experiences based on friendly competition rather than gambling. It is possible that players could decide to make their own wagers on games.
UNO variants
The following UNO variants will appeal to both casual players and more seasoned ones.
UNO Golf follows the traditional rules for matching colors and numbers, but players aim to get the lowest score. They must get rid of high-value cards and keep lower-value ones.
UNO Teams require players to team up in pairs of two, and both players must empty their hands. They still must match colors, numbers, and symbols. Timing and coordination are essential to win.
UNO Show ’em No Mercy is an intense game with extra cards and tough penalties. There are two ways to win – get rid of all cards or knock out all other opponents.
UNO variants combine both nostalgia and innovation, so they appeal to both old and new generations of players. The list of celebrities who endorse all kinds of gaming is growing, which also encourages the participation of younger audiences.
UNO Social Club Popups
The club in Las Vegas is just the beginning. Initiatives like this can help benefit the Las Vegas economy with the current demand for interactive entertainment.
Starting in August, UNO Social Clubs will pop up in major cities across the U.S. These pop-ups will appear in various bars and entertainment venues. Themed décor and signature drinks will be inspired by UNO’s color palette. Local audiences will be able to take part in game tournaments, and attending will present them with many photo ops. Some of the cities where this is happening are New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Austin. The locations are open to the public, and guests don’t need to register in advance.
