Rafiki vs Cabo, Cambio and Golf
If you like Cabo, Cambio, Golf or Rat-a-Tat Cat, you already know the idea behind Rafiki: keep track of hidden cards and finish with the lowest hand.
These games are cousins. House rules vary a lot from table to table, so the comparison below uses common versions. The full Rafiki rules are here.
At a glance
| Rafiki | Cabo / Cambio | Golf | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | Lowest hand | Lowest hand | Lowest score |
| Hand | 4 face-down cards; peek at 2 | Usually 4 face-down cards; peek at some | Often 4 or 6 cards in a grid; some face up |
| Card powers | 7-8 look at your own card, 9-10 look at an opponent's, J/Q/Black K blind swap | Peek, spy and swap powers, which vary by version | Usually none |
| Matching cards | Slam a matching card from any hand at any time | Many versions allow a similar "stick" or snap | Pairs in a column score 0 in many versions |
| Ending a round | Call "Rafiki!", then everyone else gets one more turn | Call "Cabo" or "Cambio", then a final turn | A player turns all cards face up |
| Best low cards | Jokers and Red Kings (-1) | Often the Red King or Joker | Often 2s or Jokers |
What makes Rafiki different
- Slam from any hand. Spotting a match in an opponent's hand lets you pass them one of your own cards.
- A protected caller. Once you call Rafiki, nobody can touch your hand, so the call is a real commitment.
- A penalty for calling too early. Call without the lowest hand and you take +10, including on a tie.
- Built for playing online. Timers, automatic scoring and computer players at three levels mean no arguments about the rules.
Which should you play?
If your group already plays Cabo or Cambio, Rafiki will feel familiar within a round, and slamming adds a fast, noisy edge. Golf players will recognise the low-score goal but find more interaction. The easiest way to decide is to try a round: Rafiki is free in your browser.
Questions
Is Rafiki the same as Cabo?
No. They share the idea of hidden cards and the lowest hand winning, but Rafiki has its own card actions, slamming from any hand, and a protected caller.
Can I play Cabo-style games online with friends?
Yes. Rafiki is a free online game in the same family, and you can invite friends to a private room with a code.
Rafiki is free in your browser, with no download. Play against computer players straight away, or sign up to invite friends to a private room.
Play Rafiki now