Murlan – Rules
Play Murlan against the computer
1. Overview
| Name | Murlan (Murla) |
| Type | Climbing game (shedding cards) |
| Players | 3–5, usually 4 |
| Recommended age | 8 and up |
| Playing time | one round 5–10 minutes; a game to 21 points 45–60 minutes |
| Material | 52 French cards + 2 jokers (54 cards), pen and paper |
| Goal | Get rid of all your cards as fast as possible and be first to 21 points over several rounds. |
| Difficulty | easy to medium |
What is it about? Murlan is the most popular card game in Albania and Kosovo – played in cafés, at family gatherings and on holiday. All cards are dealt, and everyone tries to shed them as singles, pairs, triples or straights. Whoever finishes first scores the most points.
2. Cards and material
- Pack: 52 French cards + 2 jokers (one black, one coloured).
- Ranking (low → high): 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A, 2, black joker, coloured joker.
- Suits don't matter.
- Face up and face down: Hands concealed, cards played face up.
3. Preparation and start
- Dealing: All 54 cards are dealt (with four players 13–14 each).
- First round: Whoever holds the 3 of spades begins – it must be part of the first play.
- From round 2: Card exchange (see below), then the last player of the previous round leads.
Start example: You hold the 3 of spades and the 3 of hearts. You begin with the pair of threes.
4. Goal and winning
- A round: The first player out of cards finishes first. The others play on for the places.
- Game: The first to 21 points wins (option 11 or 31).
5. Play in detail
Combinations.
| Combination | Example |
|---|---|
| Single | 9 |
| Pair | 9-9 |
| Triple | 9-9-9 |
| Four of a kind | 9-9-9-9 (beats everything except a higher four) |
| Straight of 5+ cards | 5-6-7-8-9 |
A turn.
- The leader plays any combination.
- In turn, players play the same type with the same number of cards, but higher – or pass.
- If all others pass, the trick is cleared. The last player to play leads again.
- A player out of cards has finished.
Example with Players 1 to 4. Order: Player 1, 2, 4, 3.
- Player 1 plays a pair of threes. Player 2 plays a pair of eights. Player 4 plays a pair of kings. Player 3 passes.
- Player 1 plays a pair of twos – higher than kings.
- Players 2, 4 and 3 pass. Player 1 leads again: the straight 6-7-8-9-10.
- Player 4 plays four fives: they beat the straight.
6. Scoring
| Place | Points (four players) |
|---|---|
| 1st | 3 |
| 2nd | 2 |
| 3rd | 1 |
| 4th | 0 |
- Recording: Points per player after every round.
- Reaching the target together: Play continues.
7. Special rules and situations
- Card exchange: Before each new round the last player gives the first their highest card and receives a low card (3 to 10) back.
- Both jokers: If the last player holds both jokers, they show them – then there is no exchange and the first player leads.
- Jokers: count only as singles.
- Straights: The 2 counts only low in straights, the ace high or low; wrapping around (K-A-2) is not allowed.
- Common mistakes: playing four of a kind too early; keeping singles until the end.
8. Variants
Standard in this description: 54 cards, 4 players, place points 3/2/1/0, target 21.
| Variant | What changes | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Target 11 or 31 | Shorter or longer game. | depending on time |
| Wild jokers | Jokers replace cards in combinations. | a change |
| Two packs | For more than six players. | large groups |
When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play against two to four computer opponents (standard: four players); the game goes to 21, 11 or 31 points.
9. Tips for beginners
- Low cards early: Get rid of 3s and 4s in pairs or straights.
- Save fours of a kind: They rescue you when an opponent is nearly out.
- Jokers for the end: As the highest singles they secure the lead.
- Build straights: They shed many cards at once.
- Keep count: Which twos and jokers have gone?
- Use the lead: Then play your most awkward combinations.
- Watch opponents: Anyone with few cards left must be slowed down.
10. Summary in 10 steps
- 54 cards, all dealt.
- Ranking: 3 … A, 2, black joker, coloured joker.
- First round: the 3 of spades starts.
- Single, pair, triple, four of a kind, straight of 5+.
- Same type and number, but higher – or pass.
- Four of a kind beats everything except a higher four.
- All pass: the last player leads again.
- Place points 3 / 2 / 1 / 0.
- Card exchange between last and first.
- First to 21 points wins.
11. Frequently asked questions
Which card is the highest?
The coloured joker, then the black joker, then the 2.
What beats four of a kind?
Only a higher four of a kind.
How long must a straight be?
At least five cards.
Do suits matter?
No, only ranks.
Who starts the first round?
Whoever holds the 3 of spades.
How long does a game take?
To 21 points about 45 to 60 minutes.
Origin & history
Murlan (roughly “storm”) is one of the best-known card games in Albania and is also widely played online and in apps. Like Big Two or Zheng Shangyou it is a climbing game: you must beat the combination played or pass. It is played with 52 cards and two jokers.