In fluxx, cross-turn strategy is basically impossible, as the rules may completely change between turns. I've found that reading a book during other peoples' turns then just looking up and treating each turn as a completely new game is just as effective as tracking the game across turns and significantly less frustrating. So yes, there are rules, but only within a turn.

Furthermore, I was dismayed when I learned (upon first time playing) that "It's easy to get started: there are no rules to read!" actually means "you spend the entire game reading rules!"

I acknowledge that this is not a very social (and somewhat rude) way to play this social game, which is why I typically politely decline to play it.