Carousel Card Game Rules
Number of Players
2, 3, or 4 players. “Carousel” is most commonly played in pairs – two players against two players from the other team. Players of one pair sit opposite each other and place the cut cards into one common pile. After a round is played, points are counted.
The game continues until one of the pairs quickly collects 120 points. If played with two or three players, points are counted individually for each player.
Carousel Card Game Online
Materials Needed for the Game
The game uses a standard 56-card deck – 52 regular cards and 4 additional ones, of which 3 are jokers, also known as “džokeriai” or “jokeriai” (English joker – joker), and 1 “broom”.
Jokers are marked according to their point values – the card with the number 20 collects the most points, the remaining ones respectively have 15 and 11 points.
Note- if the deck has fewer than 56 cards, the game can be played without one of the jokers. With 55 cards, the game is usually played without the most valuable joker – the card marked with 20 points or without the “broom”.
If played with only 54 cards – both the most valuable joker and the broom are omitted – the game is played with only two jokers – 15 and 11.
Objective of the Game
To collect as many points as possible, sometimes called “fantas”. In one card deal of 56 cards, there are 30 points, and the game is played up to 120. With 55 cards, the game is played up to 90 points, and with 54 cards – up to 60 points.
Scoring
10 points are awarded for the highest joker marked with the number 20
5 points are awarded for the middle joker marked with the number 15
3 points are awarded for the lowest joker marked with the number 11
2 points are awarded for the ten of diamonds, which is also called “carousel”
2 points are awarded for the two of clubs
2 points are awarded to the player who collects the most clubs in a deal
2 points are awarded to the player who collects the most cards in a deal (including those cards for which points are awarded separately)
1 point is awarded for each ace collected
Note. If in one card deal two players collect the most, i.e., an equal number of cards or clubs, they share the points equally. If three or more players collect the most and equal points, no points are awarded to anyone.
Carousel Game Progress
Dealing
The dealer, after thoroughly shuffling the deck, deals 4 cards to each player. After dealing the cards to the players, 8 more cards are turned face up on the table.
If playing with a 55-card deck, 7 cards are turned face up on the table, and if with a 54-card deck, 6 cards are turned face up. The game starts with the player to the left of the dealer, and the play proceeds clockwise.
Game Start
If a player has a card of the same rank as one on the table, they can cut that card by placing their card on top of it and taking it. The cut cards are no longer used in that deal and are placed in the common pile of the pair.
If there are two or three identical cards on the table, they can all be cut at once with one card of the same rank.
Sum of Eyes
If the sum of the eyes of several cards on the table equals the sum of the eyes of a card in hand, these cards can also be taken (e.g., if there is a three and a four on the table, and you have a seven in hand, you can take these three cards in one move, or if there are 3 aces on the table and you have a three in hand, you can take all the aces with it).
More combinations of cards on the table that match the number of eyes of the card in your hand (in this case, a seven or a three) can be made.
If by adding a card from your hand to one or even several cards, the sum of the eyes becomes equal to the sum of the eyes of another card in your hand, you can place the smaller card on the cards that make up that sum of eyes. However, you must take them all in the next move.
For example, if there is a two and a three on the table, and you have an ace (an ace is considered a one in this game) and a six in hand, you can put the three cards into one pile (the two, the three, and the ace) and take them with the six in the next move.
Another player can also cut this pile if it is their turn and they also have a six or add another card to make up the sum of the eyes of another card in their hand and cut it in the next move.
Jacks (sometimes called “bartukas”), queens (sometimes called “mergele”), and kings are cut from the table only in pairs, i.e., one king cuts only one king, one queen cuts only one queen.
Exception – if there are three identical cards on the table, e.g., one jack can cut three jacks on the table, one queen can cut all three queens on the table, one king can cut all three remaining kings.
When a “broom” is played, all remaining cards on the table are “swept” away.
If none of the mentioned actions can be performed, one of your cards must be placed on the table. Other players perform the same actions until an opportunity arises to cut a card and collect points again.
When all players have used their four cards, the same player deals four more cards to everyone, but no more cards are revealed on the table. This continues until all cards are dealt.
The last remaining cards on the table are taken by the player who made the last capture.
Card Game Carousel. How to Score More Points?
Capturing face cards (jacks, queens, and kings) in pairs becomes important. If during the game a player does not capture face cards with a “broom,” there is always an even number of them.
Such a card can be used to “save the end,” i.e., try to capture the last time in the deal so that the uncaptured cards also go to you. Additional points are awarded for a larger number of cards.
When there are no cards left on the table, initially try to discard the cards with the least points or strategically think about the combinations you can make with the cards you have.
Sometimes combinations are made with jokers, e.g., an 11 joker combined with an eight and an ace, hoping to capture these cards with a 20 joker in the next move and score many points. If you have a broom – don't hesitate and sweep the entire pile of points and cards from the table.
Follow your partner's actions and cards – often by discarding good cards to the opponent, you also give your partner a great opportunity to come up with excellent combinations.
Remember that a larger number of cards gives points, so try to collect as many as possible.
Who Won?
After the first deal is finished, points are counted, and the second round of the game begins. The losing team deals the cards for the next game. As mentioned, the game continues until a player or a pair of players collects the most points and reaches the highest threshold – 120, 90, or 60 points – they win the game.
