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Download on Google Play- Deal 5 cards to each player.
- Create a draw pile and discard pile.
- Lowest card value player may go first.
- Discard a single, pair, triple, or suited run.
- Draw one card from draw or discard pile.
- Call Dhumbal if your hand totals 5 or less.
- Losers add hand totals to their score.
- Caller gets 30-point penalty if not lowest.
Rules
Dhumbal is a popular Nepali card game similar to Yaniv where players try to reduce the total value of their hand to a low number. When a player feels confident their hand is lowest, they call 'Dhumbal' to end the round.
Objective
Reduce the total point value of your hand to as low as possible and call 'Dhumbal' when you believe you have the lowest hand. Reach the lowest cumulative score over multiple rounds.
Setup
- Players: 2 to 5 players.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Deal: Deal 5 cards to each player. Place the remaining cards as a draw pile and flip one card to start the discard pile.
Gameplay
- Step 1: On your turn, discard one or more cards: a single card, a pair, a triple, four of a kind, or a run of 3 or more cards in the same suit.
- Step 2: After discarding, draw one card from either the draw pile or the top of the discard pile.
- Step 3: If your hand total is 5 or less, you may call 'Dhumbal' instead of drawing, ending the round.
- Step 4: When Dhumbal is called, all players reveal their hands. If the caller has the lowest total, all other players add their hand totals to their scores. If someone ties or beats the caller, the caller receives a 30-point penalty.
Scoring
- Number cards are worth face value. Face cards (J, Q, K) are worth 10 points each. Aces are worth 1 point.
- Players accumulate points over rounds. A player who exceeds 100 points is eliminated. The last player remaining wins.
Variations
- Dhumbal 7: Players may call Dhumbal when their hand total is 7 or less instead of 5.
- Joker Dhumbal: Add two Jokers worth 0 points each to the deck for more options.
Tips and Strategies
- Discard high-value cards quickly, especially face cards worth 10 points each.
- Form pairs or runs to discard multiple cards at once while only drawing one back.
- Keep track of what opponents are discarding to gauge whether calling Dhumbal is safe.
Tips & Strategy
Prioritize discarding face cards and forming pairs or runs for efficient multi-card discards. Call Dhumbal early to catch opponents with high hands.
Timing your Dhumbal call is the most critical decision. Call too early and you risk a penalty, but wait too long and an opponent may call before you.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The word 'Dhumbal' roughly translates to a low or worthless hand, which is exactly what you want in this game.
What is the maximum hand total at which a player can call Dhumbal in the standard game?
History & Culture
Dhumbal is widely played in Nepal and shares its origins with a family of card games including Yaniv from Israel and Cabo from the Americas.
Dhumbal is one of the most popular card games in Nepal, played widely in homes, tea shops, and social gatherings across the country.
Variations & House Rules
Dhumbal 7 allows calling at a higher hand total for faster rounds, while Joker Dhumbal adds zero-point Jokers for extra strategic depth.
Adjust the calling threshold to 3 for a more challenging game, or raise the elimination score to 150 for longer sessions.
