Cactus card game rules: how to play Cactus

Cactus is the memory card game where you keep four cards face down, peek at two, swap and spy your way to a low hand, and call "Cactus!" when you think you're lowest. Played with a normal deck, 2 to 6 players, about 10 minutes a round.

Play a Cactus-style game free in your browser, no sign-up

Cactus is one of several names for the same game: Cabo, Cambio, Pablo, Kaboo and Gringo. If your group says Cactus, these are the rules you'll recognise.

On this page: Setting up · Your turn · Special cards · Matching · Calling Cactus · Scoring · Questions

How do you set up Cactus?

1. Shuffle a 52-card deck, with Jokers if your group uses them.
2. Deal 4 cards face down to each player in a 2-by-2 square. Their positions never change.
3. The rest of the deck is the draw pile; turn one card up to start the discard pile.
4. Each player looks at their two nearest cards once and turns them back over.

What do you do on your turn?

Draw the top card of the deck. Either swap it with one of your face-down cards (the old one goes face up on the discard pile) or discard it. A special card discarded straight from the deck can be used for its power.

What do the special cards do?

Matching the discard

When a card is discarded, any player may throw a card of the same rank from their hand onto it, out of turn, to get rid of it. First come, first served; a wrong throw means taking the card back and drawing a penalty card. Some groups allow throwing an opponent's card too, then giving them one of yours.

How do you call Cactus?

At the start of your turn, say "Cactus" instead of drawing. Every other player gets one last turn, then all cards are revealed and totalled.

How is Cactus scored?

Lowest total wins. A caller who isn't lowest takes a 10-point penalty in most groups. Play to an agreed limit, usually 100.

Play Cactus online

Rafiki is a free browser game with the same bones: four hidden cards, peek, spy and blind swaps, slams from any hand and a final call. Play against the computer now or invite friends to a private room.

Questions

How do you play the Cactus card game?

Each player has 4 face-down cards and peeks at 2 once. On your turn draw a card and swap it in or discard it, using 7-8 to peek, 9-10 to spy and Jack-Queen to swap blind. Call Cactus when you think you're lowest; everyone else gets one more turn, then lowest total wins.

Is Cactus the same as Cambio?

Yes. Cactus, Cambio, Cabo, Pablo, Kaboo and Gringo are regional names for the same memory card game. The special cards and point values differ slightly by group.

How many cards do you get in Cactus?

Four, face down in a square. You look at the two nearest you once at the start.

Can I play Cactus online?

Rafiki at playrafiki.com is a free browser game in the same family, playable with friends or against computer players.