Kalooki is a form of Rummy that originates from Jamaica. This game is sometimes identified as Kallokie, Kalougie, Kaloochi, Caloochie, or Kaluki Rummy. Kalooki is a game ideal for three to as many as eight card players. The game requires the use of two to four decks of cards or 106 to 210 cards in all. Two Jokers are used too.

Kalooki is very much like Classic Rummy, with a few changes to the rules of the game. Depending on the version of the game played, each player is dealt a total of thirteen to fifteen cards to start if the game consists of two card players. Two players used two decks to play the game. Only two out of the four Jokers in the two decks are used in Kalooki, unless players are playing the North American version of the game where all four Jokers are put to use.

The value of the cards varies depending upon the type of Kalooki you are playing. If you are playing European Kalooki, Jokers are worth fifteen points, Aces are valued at eleven points, and Face cards are valued at ten points. If you are playing the North American version of Kalooki, Jokers are valued at twenty-five points, Aces are valued at fifteen points, and Face cards are valued at ten points. In the South African variant, Jokers are valued at twenty-five points, Aces are valued at eleven points, and Face cards are valued at ten points. In all variants, all remaining cards are point valued based on their face value.

The value of cards is used to determine penalty points at the end of each round or game. If the Joker is used as a wild card, it has a value of the playing card it represents while the card is in play. If the card is not in play and is in the player’s hand when a winner is determined, then the card takes on one of the values previously mentioned.

The goal of every player is to be the first to put all cards into play by creating melds including traditional runs and sets. Players with remaining cards tally up the points of the cards and track them. Anyone who gets more than 150 points in a single round or in a series of hands is eliminated from play. The single remaining player wins Kalooki.

Tags: Kalooki Rummy