The winner of the game is the team with the highest score. If the game is tied after 3 periods (decks) you will continue play in sudden death overtime until the first score is made.

Play begins to the left of the dealer, and a card is placed face up in the middle of the table. The next player may now play a card, and play continues until all cards are played. Skippy then cleans the ice, and the next hand begins by playing off the current card on top of the discard pile. When all cards are played, pass the deck to the left and you now have a new dealer and a new Skippy for the next period.

Example:

• players 1 and 3 are the ODD team and players 2 and 4 are the EVEN team.
• player 4 deals 4 to each player...
  • player 1 hand = Jack, Ace, 9, 9
  • player 2 hand = Queen, Jack, Ace, 7
  • player 3 hand = Ace, 7, 8, 10
  • player 4 hand = Jack, Ace, 4, 7
• player 1 plays a 9 (since he has 2 and odds are that player 2 may not have one)
• player 2 plays an Jack and says "Jack pass drink one." and ODD team drinks one
• player 3 plays a 10 (since he can't play a Jack)
• player 4 plays a Jack and says "Jack pass drink one." and ODD team drinks one (since he can't match the 10 to score and wants to keep puck control)
• player 1 plays a Jack and says "Steal pass drink one." and EVEN team drinks one (since Jacks pass and never score, ODD team gains control of the puck)
• player 2 plays an Ace (pure chance here)
• player 3 plays an Ace and says "SCORE! Drink two." and EVEN team drinks two
• player 4 plays an Ace and says "Check, drink two." and ODD team drinks two (since this check was after the score it is considered poor sportsmanship, but this IS hockey)
• player 1 plays an Ace and says "Rumble. SHOTGUN one!" and EVEN team shotguns one player 2 plays a 7
• player 3 plays a 7 and says "Pass drink one." and EVEN team drinks one
• player 4 plays a 7 and says "Check drink two." and ODD team drinks two (Also, nobody has control of the puck at this point, and the next match will be a pass)
• player 1 plays a 9 (since he played one before and player 2 couldn't match it)
• player 2 plays a Queen
• player 3 plays an 8
• player 4 plays a 4 and says "Skippy, clean the ice."
• This time player 4 chooses to deal 5...
  • player 1 hand = 3, 4, 8, 10
  • player 2 hand = Jack, 3, 6, 6
  • player 3 hand = King, 2, 5, 9
  • player 4 hand = King, 2, 5, 9
• player 1 plays an 4 and says "Pass drink one." (playing off the 4 played before) and EVEN team drinks one of course
• player 2 plays a Jack and says "Steal pass drink one." and ODD team drinks one
• player 3 plays a 9 (since 2 were played before and odds are in his favor)
• player 4 plays a 9 and says "Score, drink two!" and ODD team drinks two. (unfortunately player 4 could match any of player 3's cards)