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How To Play The Game Of Kalooki Introduction
Kalooki is a game from the 'Rummy Family' using 2 decks and 2 jokers - total 106 cards. It can be played with between 2 to 5 players. A complete game of Kalooki consists of several rounds of game-play, where players try to dispose of their cards as quickly as possible. Penalty points usually determines the winner. Kalooki is enjoyed by players of all ages. It can be played for fun - or for real money stakes. It is especially popular in the UK where it is played in homes, clubs and casinos nationwide.
Forming Sets Of
Cards In-Hand A correctly grouped set would consit of 3 or 4 cards of the same value but of different suit. Correct set > A correct group cannot have 2 cards of
the same suit. Correct set > A sequenced set ("run") consits of 3 or more cards of consecutive value and of the same suit. Correct set > The lowest run is 2-3-4... highest is Q-K-A. The ace cannot be part of a low run. ie: A-2-3** Correct set > A run can be of any length, providing that all cards are of the same suit. Correct set > The Standard Game Of Kalooki This explains the standard game of Kalooki, which is usaully played up to a 150 penalty point limit. Penalty points are calculated from the cards that remain in-hand for a player at the end of each round. Other variations in game play, scoring and stakes can be found in the 'Advanced Options' section.
Dealing Out The Cards
The
remaining pile is placed face down on the table, forming
the card stock (or 'deck') required for the game. (
Some people turn the top card of the deck, to start
the discard pile, straight after the deal. We prefer
not to! ) Players must organise their in-hand cards into
sets, deciding which to keep and which to throw away.
Each
player must 'draw' (take) a card at the beginning of their
turn... and then discard one at the end.
Any reduction of points by laying sets or 'go-ers' must be done after drawing... and before discarding. The game passes round in a clockwise direction. Subsequent players then have the choice of either taking the top card from the deck - or the top card from the discard pile, thrown by the previous player. A discard card can only be taken if it is required to complete a set which is then used **immediately. It cannot be taken from the discard pile and then held in a players hand for future use. Laying Sets On The Table - "Coming Down" Once the total value of cards that form sets in-hand reaches 40 points or more, a player has the option to lay these as declared sets, face up on the table into their relevant groups. This is called "coming down" and will reduce the players in-hand penalty points accordingly. When to come down is at the discretion of each player. **If a player wishes to take a discard, then it must be used within a set and immediately placed on the table, either as part of their compulsory 40+ points - or subsequent to them already having made their 40+ points. 30 pts > can then lay sets of any value for the remainder of that round. Laying Cards On The Table - Adding "Go-ers " Cards can also be added onto any declared sets that are 'exposed' on the table, either to extend a run... or to make a 3 of a kind set into a set of 4 of a kind. This can only be done when the player in question has already come down and made their own set(s) worth 40+ points. Placing a card onto a declared set is called adding a "go-er" and will also reduce potential penalty points. A discard card cannot be taken and then used as a go-er. Add the 10 > Using Jokers A joker can be used in the place of any card, either in-hand within a set, or as a go-er on the table. It assumes the position and value of the card it replaces. It must be clear to all players which cards the jokers represent. Jokers will be scored at their maximum value of 15 points if they remain in-hand at the end of a completed round of game play. ( When a player 'calls up' and the other players in-hand penalty points are added to their scores ). Joker in place of Queen of Clubs > Re-using Jokers A joker that is part of a declared set, face up on the table, can be re-used by any player on their turn, providing that they have already come down with 40+ points and can replace the joker with its natural card within the set. The joker must be used immediately within a new set and cannot be held in-hand for future use... nor can it be placed as a go-er, elsewhere on the table. The following is an example of how a used joker could be taken...If a joker is in a set with10 Diamonds and the 10 Spades,  then it could be replaced... by a natural 10 Clubs 
or by a natural 10 Hearts > 
When a declared joker has been used in a 3 of a kind set, it can be taken by either natural replacement card. When the declared joker is in a 4 of a kind set then only the last remaining natural card can be used to take it. When any declared joker is part of a run, it can ony be taken by the card that is its exact natural replacement. Alternative Rule For Re-Using Jokers There is an alternative to the rule for re-using jokers that is almost as popular as the one previously explained... It states that when a joker is used in a grouped set, as above, BOTH natural replacement cards are required to 'take' it. In the example above... the 10 of clubs and the 10 of hearts would both be needed to take the joker. Winning A Round Of Kalooki - "Calling-Up" Once a player has successfully disposed of all 13 cards and then discarded, the remaining players must add the total values of all cards still left in-hand. These penalty points are recorded for each player and are referred to as the scores. The player calling incurrs no penalty points... Initially each player start with a score of zero. Winning The Game As subsequent rounds of the game progress, the players scores increase. When the cumulative score for a player exceeds 150 points they are out of the game! (on 151 or more) The next round continues without them... and they have no further involvement in that game. When just one player remains... on a score that is not over 150 penalty points... they are the winner. Advanced Options There are a couple of additional elements that can be incorporated into a standard game of Kalooki, especially when playing for real money stakes. These are round by round payments... and buy-ins. 1) The option to "buy-in" if a players score exceeds the penalty point limit for the game. 2) Playing each round of the game for an additional reward stake. Stakes & rule variations must be agreed by all players before the start. "Buying In" When a players score exceeds 150 penalty points then they would normally be excluded from the rest of the game, however buy-ins enable such players to rejoin the game for an additional stake. This amount is usually half of the original game stake. They can then rejoin the game on a score that is equal to the player with the highest score. ( 150 points or less ) The number of times that players can buy-in must be agreed in advance. Kalooki is usually played with 1 or 2 buy-ins... however it is possible to play with unlimited buy-ins!Buy-ins are not allowed when 2 players remain. ( There must be 3 or more players still in the game.)Upon rejoining the game, it is usual to circle the buy-in players score, on the score sheet. Reward Payments For The Winner Of Each Round In addition to the main stake for a game, players may decide to play each round for an extra reward payment. This amount is usually 1/4 of the main stake value. If a player calls the round by laying all thirteen cards in one turn this is called a 'bomber' or a Kalooki and commands a higher reward, usually 1/2 the main stake amount.Eg: If the initial stake for the game was £4, then each round would be played for an additional £1... with a 'bomber' or Kalooki worth £2. Any buy ins would cost an extra £2. (Ensure stakes are agreed in advance! ) Reward payments can be recorded in a table, along with the penalty point scores for each player. The example below shows the Kalooki scores on the left, with round by round rewards on the right.
CLICK ON SCORE CARD FOR FULL SIZED
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