Kalooki 40 Rules
The Goal: The winner of the hand is the first player to lay down
all of the cards in his hand onto the melding area. They must then discard their
last card onto the discard pile. Melding, as mentioned earlier, can be done by forming
sequences of sets and runs. Laying down, as will be shown below, can be done gradually
or all at once - rewarding the winner with different levels leverage.
Number of Players: Although in some versions the game can be played
with up to 6 players, it is usually played with 2-4 players a
The Deck: Each game is played with two standard card decks plus
4 jokers.
Card values towards achieving a total of 40: According to the Kalooki
40 rules, the number on the card determines its value towards achieving
the minimum total value that is required to lay down melds for the first time -
40.
Special values are given to the three royal cards which are 10 points each, the
ace is worth 11 and the jokers get the value of the card they represent.
Card values - penalty points: In case one of your opponents has
won the game this means you still have cards in your hand, for which you will receive
penalty points. In this case, all number cards are worth their value in penalty
points (e.g. a 7 is worth 7 penalty points). Royal cards are worth 10 each, Ace
= 11 and a joker is worth 15.
Note - When using a joker in a meld it takes the numerical value
of the card it represents (for example: in a set of 7 - joker - 9, the joker's value
is 9 points), however, when a player has a joker in their hand after their opponent
has gone out the joker represents 15 penalty points.
Game play
Dealing the cards: each player receives 13 cards.
Stock Pile: The rest of the cards form the stock pile (face down).
Reshuffle: If the stock pile runs out of cards, the discard pile
will be reshuffled to form a new stock pile, but the last card that was thrown out,
will remain on the table to reform the discard pile.
A Turn: According to official Kalooki 40 rules,
a standard Kalooki 40 turn consists of two must-do moves: drawing a card and discarding
a card. In between these moves players may lay down melds on the table or add builders
- according to the rules that are specified below.
Drawing a card: At the beginning of a turn the player must draw
a card, either from the stock or discard pile. In Kalooki 40, if you draw a card
from the discard pile, you must lay it down in a meld in the same turn
Discard a card: to complete the turn,
even a winning turn, the player must discard one card to the discard pile.
The use of jokers: there's no way out to put it - the jokers spice
up the game!
Run: when using a joker in a run, the joker's value towards hitting
40 will be identical to the original card it is replacing. Once on the table, any
player who has the card the joker represents can switch it with the joker and use
it himself. Please note that when switching a joker, it must used within a meld
as a wild card or a builder in the same turn.
Set: when using a joker in a set of 3 cards, the only way to switch
it once on the table is by having the 2 missing suits. For example, if a joker is
used in the set 3 hearts - 3 clubs - joker, in order to switch it the player will
need to have 3 of spades and 3 of diamonds. To technically switch a joker, the player
will need to click on the card or cards he want to replace the joker with and as
soon as this is the done, the joker will appear at the players hand for him to use
at the same turn.
* Please note: In case a player adds only one of the missing cards to a set with
a joker, the meld is locked and the joker cannot be switched.
Reusing jokers, building cards and laying melds down on the table are all subjected
to the player's discretion according to his strategic view.
The game is over when
The Kalooki 40 game is over as soon as one of the players finishes melding
all of the cards in his hand but one, and discards the last one to the discard pile.