Kazhutha: Kerala's Favourite Family Card Game
Ask any Malayali which card game they learned first, and the answer is almost always the same: കഴുത, Kazhutha. Before anyone is old enough for 28, they've been the donkey at least once.
What is Kazhutha?
Kazhutha is a shedding game: you try to get rid of all your cards. There's no partner, no bidding and no trump. The whole pack is dealt, the player with the A♠ starts, and everyone must follow suit. When someone can't follow, they cut (വെട്ട്), and the player with the highest card of the led suit has to pick up the whole pile. Players drop out as their cards run out. The last one left holding cards is the kazhutha, the donkey.
Why everyone plays it
- Anyone can learn it in a minute. Follow suit, and don't get caught with the biggest card. That's it.
- Any number can play. Four cousins or eight, everyone gets cards.
- It's loud. A cut on the top card, a big pick-up, the last two players staring each other down: Kazhutha produces more shouting than any trump game.
- Nobody really wins. Which is exactly why grandparents like it for children.
The letters: K-A-Z-H-U-T-H-A
Over several games, each time you're the donkey you get a letter. Collect all eight and the table crowns you the full Kazhutha. English-speaking families do the same with D-O-N-K-E-Y.
Similar games around India
The same idea is played under other names: Bhabhi in much of North India, and Getaway in English card books. Details differ (who starts, whether dead rounds are shown), but follow-suit, cut and pick-up are the same. Don't confuse it with "Gadha Chor" or Old Maid, which are matching games where you pass cards to collect pairs.
Play it any time
On Cheettukali you can play Kazhutha with 4, 5 or 6 players, against computer players who remember who is out of each suit, with the K-A-Z-H-U-T-H-A letters kept across games. Full rules are in English and മലയാളം.
🃏 Try it now: play Kazhutha free in your browser, no download, no money.
FAQ
What does Kazhutha mean?
Kazhutha (കഴുത) is Malayalam for donkey. The last player holding cards is called the kazhutha.
Is Kazhutha the same as Bhabhi?
They are very close. Bhabhi, played in North India, and Getaway use the same follow-suit, cut and pick-up idea; small details vary by family.