Cangkulan – Rules

Play Cangkulan against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? Cangkulan is an Indonesian family game often played in schoolyards or on long journeys. It looks like a trick-taking game, but the aim is the opposite: you want to get rid of your cards. A player who can't follow suit must draw from the stock until a matching card comes – and their hand keeps growing.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 52 French cards.
• Ranking (high → low): A, K, Q, J, 10 … 2.
• No trumps.
• Face up and face down: Hands concealed, stock face down, tricks face up in the middle.

3. Preparation and start

1. Dealing: Everyone gets 7 cards; the rest is the face-down stock.
2. Start: The player left of the dealer leads.
3. Changing dealer: Clockwise.

Start example: You hold five hearts and two spades. Many cards of one suit are good – you can follow for a long time.

4. Goal and winning

• Goal: Be the first to get rid of all your cards.
• "Find the loser" variant: Play continues until only one player is left – they lose.

5. Play in detail

A trick.

1. The leader plays any card.
2. Following suit is compulsory.
3. If you can't follow: Draw cards from the stock until a matching one comes and play it. The other cards drawn go into your hand.
4. The highest card of the suit wins. The trick is set aside and the winner leads next.

Example with Players 1 to 4. Order: Player 1, 2, 4, 3.

1. Player 1 leads the 4 of hearts. Player 2 follows with the 9 of hearts, Player 4 with the 2 of hearts.
2. Player 3 has no hearts. He draws the 5 of clubs, the queen of spades and then the 6 of hearts – he plays the 6 of hearts, the other two go into his hand.
3. Player 2 wins with the 9 of hearts and leads next.
4. Player 3 now has two more cards – exactly what every player wants to avoid.

6. Scoring

• No points: Only who finishes first counts.
• Over several rounds: Count wins.

7. Special rules and situations

• Stock empty: A player who can't follow sits out. At the end of the trick they take all the trick's cards into their hand.
• Several can't follow: They share out the trick's cards; the highest player leads next.
• Joker (variant): A joker wins any trick; if it is led, the second card sets the suit.
• Common mistakes: playing high cards too early and then having to lead; using up long suits too quickly.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: 7 cards, no trumps, first player without cards wins.

When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play against two to four computer opponents (standard: four players); either the first player out wins or play continues to find the loser, over 5, 3 or 10 rounds.

9. Tips for beginners

1. Long suits are good: You can often follow.
2. Follow low: Winning a trick means you must lead – not always good.
3. Lead wisely: Lead a suit the others may be short in.
4. Keep count: Who has had to draw? They are missing a suit.
5. Use high cards deliberately: An ace gives you the lead at the right moment.
6. Watch the stock: As it shrinks, failing to follow gets costly.
7. Shed short suits: Otherwise you'll have to draw later.

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 52 cards, 3–5 players.
2. 7 cards each, the rest is the stock.
3. The player left of the dealer leads.
4. Follow suit.
5. Can't follow: draw until a matching card comes.
6. Other drawn cards go into your hand.
7. The highest card of the suit wins.
8. The winner leads next.
9. Stock empty: sit out and pick up the trick.
10. The first player without cards wins.

11. Frequently asked questions

Are there trumps?

No.

What happens if I can't follow suit?

You draw from the stock until a matching card comes.

Is it good to win tricks?

Not necessarily – you then have to lead.

What happens when the stock is empty?

You sit out and pick up the trick at the end.

How do you win?

By being the first without cards.

How long does a round take?

About 5 to 10 minutes.

Origin & history

A popular Indonesian folk game. 'Cangkul' means hoe – you 'dig' in the stock for a matching card. Closely related to the Spanish burro, probably through European influence.