Description

Object of the Game

To collect as many cards as possible by forming GAMIs

Starting the Game

Gami is a game for 2 players, played with one pack of cards, but only Aces and cards from 2 to 8 are included, from three suits only - Clubs, Diamonds, and Hearts. Spades are not included, meaning the game is played with a total of 24 cards.

Initially, each player is dealt nine cards, the remaining six cards are left on the table. All cards are turned face up.

Playing the Game

In each turn, each player exchanges one card from his or her hand, with one of the six cards placed on the table. The valid exchanges are limited - the exchange rules section below describes the valid combinations. A player who is unable to make a valid exchange loses the game.

If the newly picked up card together with any other two cards in the player's hand completes a GAMI (see below), the player can take any one card from his or her opponent's hand, meaning he or she gets one card more, while the opponent gets one card less.

Only the card picked up during an exchange can form a GAMI. An existing combination of cards in the hand does not constitute a GAMI, although the player can use it to make one by exchanging one of the three cards, then picking it up again during the next turn (assuming that the opponent does not pick that card during his or her turn). The card captured from the opponent's hand after a GAMI is formed does not constitute a new GAMI and does not grant an additional capture.

The rule above applies to the initial nine cards as well - even if a player is dealt a valid GAMI combination, he or she is not eligible to capturing any cards.

A player who is reduced to two cards loses the game, as he or she is no longer able to complete a GAMI. Similarly, a player who is unable to make a valid exchange loses the game.

Exchange rules

Any card can be exchanged for an adjacent card of the same suits. Adjacent cards are cards whose value differs by 1, the value of Aces is considered to be 1. Additionally, Eights and Aces can be exchanged. For example, a Three of Hearts can be exchanged for either a Two of Hearts or a Four of Hearts. An Eight of Diamonds can be exchanged for a Seven of Diamonds or an Ace of Diamonds.

In addition to the above option, even-numbered cards can be swapped for a card of suits of a different color and the same value. For example, a Four of Clubs can be swapped for a Four of Diamonds or a Four of Hearts, in addition to Three of Clubs and Five of Clubs from the first rule. A Six of Diamonds can be exchanged for a Six of Clubs, but not a Six of Hearts, as they both have the same color.
GAMI

A GAMI is one of the following combinations (in any order):
Ace + Two + Three of any single suit
Three + Four + Five of any single suit
Five + Six + Seven of any single suit
Seven + Eight + Ace of any single suit
Twos of Hearts + Diamonds + Clubs
Fours of Hearts + Diamonds + Clubs
Sixes of Hearts + Diamonds + Clubs
Eights of Hearts + Diamonds + Clubs