Like Yaniv? Try Rafiki
If your group plays Yaniv, the lowest-hand game from Israel that's also played as Jhyap in Nepal and Dhumbal in India, you'll pick up Rafiki in one round.
Both games have the same goal: get your hand as low as possible, then call the end before anyone beats you. The big difference is that in Rafiki your cards are face down, so memory matters as much as luck.
How they compare
| Yaniv | Rafiki | |
|---|---|---|
| Your hand | 5 cards, held in your hand | 4 cards, face down. You start by peeking at 2 |
| On your turn | Discard a card, set or run, then draw one | Draw one, then keep it, swap it in or use its power |
| Card powers | None | 7/8 peek at your card, 9/10 spy on an opponent's, Jack/Queen/Black King blind swap |
| Getting rid of cards | Sets and runs | Slam: throw a matching card on the discard pile, from your hand or an opponent's |
| Ending the round | Call "Yaniv" at 7 points or fewer | Call "Rafiki" when you think you're lowest. Everyone else gets one last turn |
| Getting caught | "Assaf": someone has the same or lower, you take a penalty | Not lowest (or tied)? +10 penalty |
| Players | 2 to 5 or more | 2 to 6, online with friends or computer players |
Why Yaniv players like Rafiki
- It's the same feeling: you're always deciding whether to call now or risk one more turn.
- More to remember, more to bluff: hidden cards and blind swaps mean nobody is ever quite sure.
- Slams are chaos: anyone can throw a matching card at any time, so you can't stop watching.
- Easy to play apart: make a private room and share the code with friends in another country.
Rafiki also belongs to the family of Cabo and Cambio, called קאבו in Israel. See how Rafiki compares with Cabo, Cambio and Golf, or read the rules in Hebrew.
Questions
Is Rafiki the same as Yaniv?
No. Both are won with the lowest hand and end when someone calls, but Rafiki's cards are face down and it has card powers and slamming instead of sets and runs.
Can I play Rafiki online with friends abroad?
Yes. Rafiki is free in your browser at playrafiki.com. Create a private room and share the code with up to 5 friends, wherever they are.
Is there a Rafiki app?
Rafiki works in any phone or computer browser with no download. Apps for Android and iPhone are on the way.
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