How to play Banakil

Banakil

2 to 4 players

Banakil is a Rummy-family melding game (in the Canasta and Buraco family), for 2 to 4 players, and 4 play in two teams. The goal is to meld your cards into sets and runs and get rid of them all. It rewards memory, counting, and patience.

How to play

1 Players 2 to 4, and 4 play in two teams. 1

2 Deck Two packs plus two jokers (106 cards). Jokers and twos are wild. Deal 18 cards each. 2

3 Play On your turn draw from the stock or the discard pile, lay down any melds you can, then discard. 3

4 Melds Runs (3 or more in sequence of one suit, one wild allowed) or sets limited to threes and aces. 4

5 Scoring Each card has a value. Add what you melded and subtract what is left in your hand, and going out first earns a bonus. 5

6 Winning First player or team to the target wins, usually 222. 6

Tips

Hoard the wilds

Jokers and twos complete any run, so only discard them if you must.

Watch the discard pile

What your opponent picks up shows what they are collecting, so don't feed it.

Lighten your hand

Cards left in your hand count against you, so meld the heavy ones early.

Variants and other names

Target

222 is the most common, and some tables agree a different number before they start.

Other names

Banakil is a close relative of Conquian, Buraco and Canasta.

Questions

How many players does Banakil need?

From 2 to 4, and 4 play in two teams. One short? Kemlet finds you a player nearby.

How many cards are in Banakil?

106 cards, two packs plus two jokers, with 18 dealt to each player.

Which cards are wild?

Jokers and twos. They stand in for any missing card in a run.

What score do you play Banakil to?

Usually 222, and the first player or team there wins.