Karma Rules

Objective

Your goal is to get rid of every single card you own—the ones in your hand, the face-up cards waiting underneath, and finally the blind face-down cards you can’t even see. Karma plays fast and a bit wild, and you’ll feel the pressure rise each time the pile resets or an opponent drops a perfect counter. It’s a shedding game where timing and nerve matter just as much as luck.

Material

Standard 52-card deck (or multiple decks for larger groups)

A♠ 2♠ 3♠ 4♠ 5♠ 6♠ 7♠ 8♠ 9♠ 10♠ J♠ Q♠ K♠

Setup

Players: 2–6 (best with 3–4 for a lively but manageable pace)

Each player starts with three different layers of cards:

1. 3 face-down cards

These are completely hidden. You won’t know what they are until the very end, and flipping one can either save you or blow up your turn.

1. 3 face-up cards

These sit directly on top of the hidden cards. Everyone sees them, so they act like promises—and sometimes threats—of what’s coming later.

1. 3 cards in hand

Your starting toolkit. You’ll rely on these early to shape the flow of the round.

All remaining cards form the stock pile, which keeps the tension alive as the center pile grows and resets.

Visual layout:

[Hand: 3 cards] ↓ [Face-up: 3 cards] ↓ [Face-down: 3 cards]

Ranking & Special Cards

Standard ranking: A (high) → K → Q → J → 10 → ... → 2 (low)

Special abilities:

| Card | Power | |------|--------| | 2 | Reset the pile (playable on anything; next card plays on 2) | | 7 | Next card must be 7 or lower | | 10 | Burn the pile (discard pile removed from game) |

How to Play

Phase 1 – Playing from Hand

On your turn:

• Play card(s) equal to or higher than the top of the discard pile
• You may play multiple cards of the same rank
• Draw back to 3 cards after playing

If you cannot play, you must pick up the entire discard pile.

Phase 2 – Playing Face-Up Cards

Once the stock is gone:

• You play only your face-up cards
• No more drawing
• Once a face-up card is played, you cannot take it back

Phase 3 – Playing Face-Down Cards

When your face-up cards are gone:

• You reveal face-down cards blindly
• If it plays legally, continue
• If not, you pick up the pile and that card

Special Card Powers

2 (Reset)

Playable on anything; resets the pile to 2.

Example: Pile shows K → play 2 → pile becomes 2 → next player may play freely.

7 (Reverse)

The next card must be ≤ 7, flipping the usual rule.

Example: Pile shows 9 → play 7 → next card must be 7 or lower.

10 (Burn)

Instantly removes the entire discard pile from the game. You then lead the next card.

Example: Large pile → play 10 → burn everything → play again.

Strategy

Setup Strategy

Choosing face-up cards:

• Put strong cards (A, K) face-up
• Put power cards (2, 10) face-up
• Keep flexible mid-cards in hand
• Hide weak cards in face-down slots

Ideal face-up trio:

• A 10 (burn)
• A 2 (reset)
• A strong high card (A or K)

Hand Management

Keep:

• Multiples to dump in one turn
• Power cards (2, 7, 10)
• High cards for protection

Play first:

• Single low cards
• Non-duplicates
• Cards that would trap you later

Playing Multiples

If you have two or more cards of the same rank, play them together:

• You empty your hand faster
• It’s harder for opponents to beat the pile

Face-Up Card Timing

This phase is tight:

1. Use special cards first
2. Follow with top-ranked cards
3. Avoid picking up the pile at all costs

Face-Down Gambles

Blind flips are risky:

• One-third are great
• One-third acceptable
• One-third disasters

Lower your risk by:

• Burning the pile first
• Playing face-downs on small piles
• Hoping for hidden power cards

Advanced Tactics

Pile Control

• Keep the pile small when you’re weak
• Burn big piles with 10
• Reset impossible piles with 2

Sometimes picking up the pile is good—it gives you options.

Opponent Tracking

Notice:

• Who still has face-up specials
• Who is forced into face-down cards
• Who just picked up a large pile

Use that information to pressure them.

Special Card Combos

2 → 10 combo: Reset with 2 → let pile grow → burn with 10.

7 → low-card chain: Play 7 → dump all low cards in order.

End Game Precision

Late game is all about:

• Counting what’s left
• Forcing opponents into disasters
• Burning at the right time

Common Mistakes

• Placing low cards face-up
• Hiding all specials in face-down slots
• Ignoring duplicates
• Hoarding 2s and 10s for too long
• Picking up the pile when a legal play was available

Scoring Variants

Single Game

Winner = first to play all 9 cards (No score tracking)

Tournament

Score remaining cards:

• Hand: 1 point
• Face-up: 2 points
• Face-down: 3 points

Lowest total after several rounds wins.

Elimination

Last player out is eliminated; repeat until one remains.

Example Round

Pile shows 8:

Your hand: 9♠, 10♣, 10♥ Face-up: A♠, 2♦, 7♣

Best play: Play both 10s → burn → take another turn → full control.

Variations

Palace (UK)

Similar structure, different power cards.

Karma Lite

No special powers—much simpler.

Power Karma

Adds extra special cards (3s, 4s) for complex chains.

Psychological Elements

• Act strong on blind flips
• Hide strength when holding power cards
• Pressure hesitant opponents
• Use timing to control tempo

Why Karma Is Fun

It blends:

• Tactical planning
• Pure luck moments
• Clever special-card timing
• A dramatic end-game phase

Perfect for parties, families, pubs, and quick, energetic sessions.

Tips Summary

Beginner:

• Put specials face-up
• Use multiples together
• Burn aggressively

Intermediate:

• Optimize face-up placement
• Master 2/10 combos
• Manage pile size

Advanced:

• Track opponents
• Take calculated blind risks
• Use psychology and tempo