Badam Satti Rules (Sevens)

Badam Satti (Sevens, Satte pe Satta) is a shedding game for three or more players. The four suits are built outwards from the 7s, one card at a time, and the first player to run out of cards wins.

7️⃣ Play it now: open Badam Satti with 4, 5 or 6 players.

Players and cards

• 3 to 8 players with one 52-card pack. Cheettukali uses 4 to 6 players.
• All cards are dealt, one at a time. Some players may get one card more than others.
• Ace is low: each suit runs A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 J Q K.

Opening

The player holding the 7 of hearts plays it face up in the middle. This starts the hearts row. Play then goes round the table (anticlockwise on Cheettukali).

Playing a turn

• Play a 7 of a suit not yet on the table. It starts that suit's row.
• Or play the next card on an existing row: the card one higher than its top end, or one lower than its bottom end. With 5♥ to 9♥ on the table, only the 4♥ or the 10♥ can go on hearts.
• Only one card per turn.
• If you have a card that fits, you must play. If nothing fits, say "pass" and the turn moves on.

Example: the table shows 6♠ 7♠ 8♠ and only the 7♦. You hold 9♠, 6♦ and K♣. You can play 9♠ or 6♦, but not the King of clubs: clubs haven't been opened, and only a 7 can open a suit.

Winning and scoring

The first player to play all their cards wins the game. The others count the cards left in hand: Ace 1, number cards at face value, J, Q and K 10 each. Over several games, the player with the lowest total wins. Many families simply play for the winner and the last place.

Strategy

• Every card you play opens the next card for somebody. Prefer cards that lead towards your own cards in that row.
• Keep 6s and 8s when you hold nothing beyond them: they block the whole row for the others.
• Kings and Aces open nothing. Play them whenever you can.
• Watch who passes: a player who passed has no card for any open end.

Variations

• Some tables let the holder of any 7 start, or the player on the dealer's left start with any 7.
• Some allow passing even when a card fits.
• Some play on until everyone is out and score by finishing order.

FAQ