Kaboo card game rules: how to play Kaboo
Kaboo is the memory card game that spreads through UK universities and sixth forms: four face-down cards, peek at two, snap matching cards from any hand, and call "Kaboo!" when you think you're lowest. It is played with a normal deck plus Jokers and a round takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Play Kaboo rules online free: Rafiki uses the same snap-from-any-hand rules, no sign-up
Kaboo is the same game as Cabo, Cambio, Pablo and Gringo; the name and a few house rules change from group to group. The rules below are the ones most UK groups play.
On this page: Setting up · Your turn · Snapping · Special cards · Calling Kaboo · Scoring · Questions
How do you set up Kaboo?
- Shuffle a 52-card deck with the two Jokers.
- Deal 4 cards face down to each player in a square. The cards must stay in those positions all round.
- Put the rest of the deck face down as the draw pile and turn the top card over to start the discard pile.
- Each player looks at the two cards nearest them, once, then turns them back. Nobody may look again until the end of the round, unless a special card allows it.
What do you do on your turn?
Going clockwise from the dealer's left, take one of three actions:
- Draw from the deck, then either swap the card for one of yours (the old card goes face up on the discard pile) or discard it. If it is a special card and you discard it, you may use its power.
- Take the top discard and swap it for one of your cards (no power).
- Call "Kaboo" if you think you have the lowest score.
How does snapping work in Kaboo?
At any time, in or out of turn, a player may snap a card of the same value as the top of the discard pile onto it, from their own hand or anyone else's. Only the first snap counts.
- Snap your own card: you play with one fewer card for the rest of the round.
- Snap an opponent's card: you then hand them one of your own cards to replace it, face down.
- Wrong snap: the card goes back and you take two penalty cards (one in many groups).
This is exactly the Slam in Rafiki, which is why Kaboo players pick Rafiki up in seconds.
What do the special cards do?
| Card | Power (when drawn from the deck and discarded) |
|---|---|
| 7 or 8 | Look at one of your own cards. |
| 9 or 10 | Look at one of another player's cards. |
| Jack or Queen | Blind swap: swap one of your cards with another player's, without looking. |
| Black King | Look and swap: look at another player's card, then decide whether to swap it with one of yours. |
How do you call Kaboo?
On your turn, instead of drawing, say "Kaboo". Play continues for one more round back to you, and during that round nobody may touch your cards: no swaps and no snaps against you. Then everyone reveals and counts.
How is Kaboo scored?
| Card | Points |
|---|---|
| Joker | -1 |
| Red King | 0 |
| Ace | 1 |
| 2 to 10 | Face value |
| Jack | 11 |
| Queen | 12 |
| Black King | 13 |
Lowest total wins the round. If you called Kaboo and won, take 5 points off your score; if you called and didn't win (a tie counts as not winning), add 5. Many groups play Jack, Queen and black King as 10 each and Red Kings as -1 instead; agree before you start. Keep a running total over several rounds.
Play Kaboo online
Rafiki is a free browser game built on these rules: four hidden cards, peek, spy and blind swaps, slams from any hand with a penalty for a wrong one, and a caller whose cards are safe. It deals, times and scores for you, works on phones, and has computer opponents. Start a game or set up a private room and send friends the link.
Questions
How do you play Kaboo?
Each player has 4 face-down cards and looks at the 2 nearest them once. On your turn draw from the deck and swap or discard (using a special card's power if you discard it), take the top discard, or call Kaboo. Anyone can snap a card matching the discard from any hand at any time. After a call, everyone gets one more turn and the lowest total wins.
Is Kaboo the same as Cabo?
Yes. Kaboo is a common UK name for the game also called Cabo, Cambio, Pablo and Gringo. The snapping rule and the exact point values vary by group.
Can you snap someone else's card in Kaboo?
Yes. If an opponent has a card matching the top of the discard pile, you can snap it for them and give them one of your own cards in its place. A wrong snap costs you penalty cards.
What are Kings worth in Kaboo?
In the common UK version a red King is 0 and a black King is 13 (Jack 11, Queen 12, Joker -1). Other groups score all court cards as 10 and red Kings as -1.
Can I play Kaboo online?
Rafiki at playrafiki.com uses the same rules, including snapping from any hand, and is free to play in a browser with friends or computer players.
Rafiki is free in your browser, with no download. Press Quick Play and you're at the table against two computer players, or create a room for your friends.
Play Rafiki now