Kalooki Rules

 

Kalooki is a variation of rummy and is very popular in many parts of the world although most countries have different rules for scoring and such things in the game. You’ll need to learn the scoring for your area once you learn how to play the game, but for now make sure you read the rules to the game. Kalooki is played with 2-4 players and uses two full fifty-two card decks as well as two joker cards. Each player gets dealt 13 cards to start each hand and one card is put face up to start the discard pile next to the draw pile.

 

The goal of Kalooki is to obtain sets and runs which you can play at any point during the hand. In order to win the hand you need to meld all of your cards while having one card left to discard. The game is played like most rummy hands with each player taking turns in order drawing from the draw pile and discarding one card at the end of there turn. The one difference between most rummy games and Kalooki is that you can meld cards from your hand at any point in the game. You can also meld cards onto your opponents sets and runs all you need to do is say where it’s being melded and place it with your other melded cards in front of you.

 

The only cards you can meld in Kalooki are sets of three or more of the same card and runs of three or more consecutive cards that are the same suit. Jokers can be used for anything when you’re playing, but it’s wise to keep them until the end when you are able to go out on your opponents. You can take jokers that your opponents have melded in some instances where they have used a joker in a set of three. If they have used a 4-4-J and you have the other two 4’s then you can take the joker and place your two 4’s onto there set. In some variations of Kalooki you’ll be able to take the joker by only having one card. You can also take the joker on runs in some games when you have the card that the opponent used the joker as. Jokers are worth a lot more points then any other card so it’s smart to try and steal jokers that your opponent has melded and why it’s smart to keep your jokers until near the end of the hand.

 

Whenever you have melded cards and you only have 1-3 cards in your hand you need to notify your opponents verbally about it or else you can’t go out on the next turn. Scoring changes based on where you’re located so make sure you learn how many points you get for going out in the variation you play. Players continue playing hands of Kalooki until there is only one player left who wins the money. In order to be knocked out of the game you need to incur 150 penalty points.