Mao has a small set of rules. The rules can be split into three sets: known rules, unknown rules, & dynamic rules. All of the 'unknown rules' are defined by their penalties that are given out when a player acts incorrectly.

Known Rules:

• There is a set of known, unknown, and dynamic rules.
• These are the known rules.
• The dynamic rule creation will also be described.
• The unknown rules are secret. (they will come out very quickly during game play)
• The game basicly plays like "Crazy 8s", except for specific card rules.
• If multiple games are played, the winner of the last game is the next dealer.
• The game starts when the dealer picks up their cards.
• Default first player is to the left of the dealer.
• Default playing order is clockwise.
• When you win a game, you get to make up a new Dynamic Rule. When it occurs, you have to say "new rule" after giving out the penalty.

Dynamic Rules:

• If possible, a player who has previously played Mao-Prime is made the dealer .
• Each person is dealt one card, face up.
• Based on the order of the cards: each player privately describes his/her unk nown rule to the dealer.
• They make sure the rules is understood and is "fair & consistent".
• Each player knows 1 unknown rule, except the dealer that knows all of them.

• The winner of a round gets to make up a new rule, for the rest of the Mao-Pr ime session.
• The player also tells the current dealer the new rule.
• If the current dealer wins, the dealer discuss the rule with the player to the dealer's left.
• They make sure the rules is understood and is "fair & consistent".
• The winner is now the new dealer for the next round.

Unknown Rules(secret):

• penalties can be spoken at any time, without 'Talking' penalty.