Buy the standard Phase 10 deck unless you already own it. It’s the 108-card game with the ten fixed phases, it seats two to six, and Mattel lists it at $6.49. If you’ve played it to death, Phase 10 Masters Classic is the best second box, because it lets you choose which phase to go for.
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We’ve played the standard game more than 100 times. We haven’t played the spin-offs, so everything about them below comes from Mattel’s rule sheets and product listings, read on October 3, 2026.
| Version | What’s in the box | Players | Mattel list price | What’s different |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 10 (standard) | 108 cards + 2 reference cards | 2–6 | $6.49 | The original game |
| Phase 10 tin | Same 108 cards, storage tin | 2–6 | $10.99 | Same rules, sturdier case |
| Masters Classic | 168 cards | 2–6 | $13.99 | Phases in any order, a save pile |
| Flip! | 112 double-sided cards | 2–6 | $6.49 | Cards and phases flip mid-game |
| Tiles | 106 tiles, 56 cards, 4 racks | Up to 4 | $16.19 | Tiles on racks, plus a quick mode |
| Express | 56 cards | 2–3 | Not listed | 5-card hands, shorter phases |
| Dice | 10 dice and a score pad | 2+ | Not listed | Roll for phases, high score wins |
| Twist | Cards, board, 6 pawns | 2–6 | Not listed | A board game built on the card game |
“Not listed” means the version wasn’t on Mattel’s US Phase 10 shop page when we checked, so we can’t quote a list price.
Standard Phase 10 Is Still the One to Buy
The standard deck is the game people mean when they say Phase 10. It has 96 number cards, 8 Wilds and 4 Skips, and current boxes add two phase reference cards, which is why some listings say 110 cards and others say 108.
It also has the lowest list price. Our Phase 10 review gives it 5/5 Bamboo and 4/5 Pandas after more than 100 plays.
The tin edition has the same 108 cards and the same rules in a metal case. It lists for $10.99. Buy it if your deck lives in a backpack or a camping bin; otherwise the standard box is fine.
Check Phase 10 price on Amazon →
Masters Classic Fixes the Stuck Player Problem
“What is the difference between Phase 10 and Phase 10 Masters?” In Masters, you choose which phase to attempt each round. You don’t have to go in order.
Phase 10 Masters Classic came out in 2025 and replaces the older Masters Edition. It has 168 cards, including 60 Phase Target cards. According to Mattel’s Masters Classic rules:
- Each round you secretly pick the phase you’re going for with a Phase Target card.
- You can put one card per round into a save pile for later, and hold up to three there.
- A Skip is placed in front of the player you’re skipping.
That first change goes straight at the weakness our review calls out in the standard game. In regular Phase 10, a hand full of high pairs is useless if you’re on a run phase. In Masters you’d just pick a set phase that round.
It’s a better fit for teens and adults than for a seven-year-old, since choosing the right phase is a real decision.
Check Phase 10 Masters Classic price on Amazon →
Flip! Is the Cheap Way to Get Something New
Phase 10 Flip! costs the same $6.49 as the standard deck and changes more than any other card version. It came out in 2024.
All 104 playing cards are double-sided: a color side and a wild side. A Flip symbol flips the piles and everyone’s hands over. The phases use color runs, and special Star cards score 20 points, according to Mattel’s Flip! rules.
The common assumption: Flip! is regular Phase 10 with a few extra cards, like an expansion.
What it actually is: a separate standalone game with its own deck and its own phases. You can’t mix it into the standard deck.
Check Phase 10 Flip! price on Amazon →
Tiles Is Phase 10 for Rummikub Fans
Phase 10 Tiles, released in 2025, swaps the cards for 106 tiles on racks. It comes with four racks, so it’s a four-player game even though the box title says more.
It has two modes. Classic follows the ten phases. Quick Play deals three random phase cards, you pick one, and the first player to 10 points wins. The Quick Play mode is the reason to consider it, since it turns a long game into a short one.
At $16.19 it’s the most expensive version Mattel lists. If you want tiles, compare it with Rummikub, which we cover in our Five Crowns vs Phase 10 vs Rummikub comparison.
Check Phase 10 Tiles price on Amazon →
Express, Dice and Twist
These three are harder to find, and Mattel’s US shop didn’t list any of them when we checked.
- Phase 10 Express (2024). A 56-card deck built for two or three players. Hands are five cards, and the phases are shorter, like “4 Odd” and “Run of 4.” The Express rule sheet has the full list.
- Phase 10 Dice. Ten dice and a score pad. You get three rolls per turn to make each phase, and the highest score wins. It plays more like Yahtzee than like the card game.
- Phase 10 Twist. A board game version from 2007 with pawns, a track and three discard piles. Mattel’s shop no longer lists it, so expect to buy it second-hand or from third-party sellers.
Worth knowing: a 40th Anniversary edition came out in 2022 with a retro design, six phase tracker boards and a letter from creator Kenneth Johnson. It plays by the standard rules. Mattel’s shop page for it is gone, so availability varies.
There’s also Phase 10 Junior for ages 4 and up, with animal cards, and a free mobile app called Phase 10: Casual Card Game.
Which Phase 10 Version Should You Buy?
- First copy: standard Phase 10.
- You travel or camp with it: the tin edition.
- You’re bored of the fixed phases, or someone always gets stuck: Masters Classic.
- You want a cheap change of pace: Flip!
- You’d rather play with tiles, or want a short game: Tiles.
Still deciding between Phase 10 and Mattel’s other big card game? See Phase 10 vs Uno.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many versions of Phase 10 are there?
Mattel currently lists five on its US shop: standard, the tin, Masters Classic, Flip! and Tiles. Express, Dice, Twist, Junior and a 40th Anniversary edition have also been sold.
What is the difference between Phase 10 and Phase 10 Masters?
In standard Phase 10 you complete the ten phases in order. In Masters Classic you choose which phase to attempt each round, and you can save one card per round for later. Masters Classic has 168 cards.
Is the Phase 10 tin a different game?
No. The tin edition has the same 108 cards and the same rules as the standard deck. You’re paying for the storage tin.
Can you combine Phase 10 Flip! with regular Phase 10?
No. Flip! is a standalone game with 112 double-sided cards and its own phases. It isn’t an expansion for the standard deck.
Does Phase 10 have 108 or 110 cards?
Both are right. The playing deck is 108 cards: 96 number cards, 8 Wilds and 4 Skips. Current rules count 110 because they include two phase reference cards.
Which Phase 10 version is best for two players?
Standard Phase 10 works at two. Phase 10 Express was designed for two or three players with a 56-card deck and five-card hands, but Mattel’s US shop didn’t list it when we checked.
Is there a Phase 10 for young kids?
Yes. Phase 10 Junior is rated for ages 4 and up and uses animal cards. Standard Phase 10 is rated 7 and up.