How to Play Cambio
How to Play Cambio
Cambio is a memory-and-swap card game where you try to finish with the lowest score. To play, you need a normal deck of cards; if you need one, find a regular deck of playing cards from Playmore. This guide uses one common version of Cambio, and house rules can vary.
Quick facts
| Players | Best for | Play time | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2–6 | 3–6 | 10–20 minutes per round | Finish with the fewest points |
What you are trying to do
Each player has four cards, kept face down. You will know only some of your cards, so the game rewards careful memory. On your turn, draw a card and decide whether to exchange it for one of your hidden cards or throw it away. Helpful cards let you peek, spy, or switch cards. Your aim is to replace high-value cards with low-value cards, remember where the good cards are, and call “Cambio” when you think your hand is best.
At the end of the round, everyone reveals their cards and adds the points. The player with the lowest total wins the round. A score of zero or less is possible because a red King is worth negative points.
What you need
Use one standard 52-card deck, including the Jokers. You also need a flat playing area and a way to track scores, such as paper and a pencil or a notes app. For a first game, choose one person to deal and agree that turns will move clockwise, meaning each player takes a turn with the next player around the table.
Set it up
Shuffle the deck well. Deal four cards face down to each player, arranging them as a small two-by-two square. Players must not look at all four cards. Each person may secretly look at the two cards closest to them once, then must try to remember them. Do not rearrange the cards after dealing, because their positions matter.
Put the remaining cards face down in the middle as the draw pile. Leave space beside it for a face-up discard pile. Turn one card face up to begin the discard pile. Pick a starting player, perhaps the player to the dealer’s left. Use one hand when drawing, swapping, or discarding, so nobody accidentally sees extra cards.
How to play
- Check whether someone has called Cambio. If not, begin your turn normally. A player may call “Cambio” at the start of their turn, before touching the draw pile, when they believe they have a very low score.
- Draw one card. Take the top card from the face-down draw pile. Keep it private while you decide what to do.
- Swap or discard. You may exchange the drawn card with one of your four face-down cards. Put the card you remove face up on the discard pile. Or, discard the drawn card without swapping. You may not look at the hidden card you replace unless a special action specifically allows it.
- Use a power when you discard it. A special card’s action happens only when you discard that card. If you swap the special card into your hand, it is simply a hidden card and its power does not happen immediately.
- Remember the powers. A 7 or 8 lets you secretly look at one of your own cards. A 9 or 10 lets you secretly look at one card belonging to another player. A Jack or Queen lets you exchange one of your cards with another player’s card without looking first. A black King lets you look at one of your cards and one opponent’s card, then choose whether to exchange them. A red King has no power in this version.
- Watch the discard pile. If you know that one of your cards matches the top face-up discard, you may quickly place your matching card on it, even when it is not your turn. This is called sticking: matching the same rank, such as placing a 5 on a 5. A correct stick removes that matching card from your hand and lets you discard one additional card; in a beginner game, allow only one stick on each newly discarded card.
- Handle mistakes fairly. If you stick a card that does not match, take it back and accept one penalty card face down beside your hand. A player who uses two hands can also receive a face-down penalty card. Agree on these penalties before starting, and keep the pace friendly.
- Finish the final turns. When someone calls “Cambio,” that player stops and does not draw or play another card. Every other player gets one final turn. Then all cards are turned face up and scored.
How you win
Score each card as follows: number cards from 2 through 10 are worth their printed number, and an Ace is worth 1. A Jack and Queen are worth 10. A black King is worth 10, while a red King is worth −1. A Joker is worth 0. Add the values of the four cards in your hand, plus any penalty cards. The lowest total wins the round.
If two players tie, give the tie-break advantage to the player who did not call Cambio. If players who did not call it are still tied, compare their lowest-value cards first; a Joker beats an Ace, and an Ace beats a red King only according to the agreed scoring order, so it is best to settle any tie rule before play. For a longer game, record each round’s total and play a set number of rounds, with the lowest overall score winning.
Easy first-game tips
Say the positions of your two known cards quietly in your head after the opening peek. Keep a simple picture of your two-by-two layout: top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right. When you use a 7 or 8, look at a card you have forgotten, not one you already know.
Do not rush to call Cambio just because you remember one excellent card. A hidden 10 can spoil an otherwise good hand. Watch what other players discard, too. If someone throws away a low card, they may already know that the card they replaced was worse. Finally, remember that a special card is useful for its power, but it still has a point value if it remains in your hand.
Quick questions
Can I look at my cards whenever I want?
No. You get one opening peek at the two cards nearest you. After that, you may look only when a special card gives you permission.
Can I call Cambio after drawing?
No. Call it at the start of your turn, before touching the deck. Everyone else then receives one final turn before scoring.