Kazhutha Tips: How to Never Be the Donkey

Kerala card games · 12 Oct 2026 · 2 min read · By Saj, Qrenzy Digital Solutions

Kazhutha looks like luck, but the same people seem to escape every time. Here's what they're doing.

1. Dump your high cards early

In the first rounds almost everyone still holds every suit, so rounds are usually thrown away. That's the safest moment to play your Aces and Kings: they leave the game for good. Later, when people start running out of suits, a high card is what makes you pick up.

2. Watch who cuts

The moment someone cuts hearts, remember it: they are out of hearts. Any later round of hearts that reaches them will be cut, and someone picks up. Don't be the one holding the top heart when it gets there. Cheettukali's computer players keep exactly this list in their heads.

3. Stay under the top card

When a round looks dangerous (someone after you is out of that suit), play the highest card you have that is still lower than the card currently on top. You keep low cards for later and let someone else take the pile.

4. When you lead, choose the suit carefully

• Early: lead a high card in a suit everyone still has. The round is thrown away and you lead again, shedding another card.
• Later: lead a low card in a suit you know someone is out of. They'll cut, and whoever played higher than you picks up.

5. Cut with your worst card

When you can't follow, you get to throw any card. Use it to get rid of your most dangerous card: a lonely Ace or King, or the top card of a suit you hold only one or two of.

6. Count the suits

Each suit has 13 cards. If you know 10 spades are gone and you hold two of the remaining three, the last spade is in one other hand, and that player is the only one who can follow you.

7. The last three

When only three players are left, every round matters. Try to keep at least one low card in each suit you hold, so you can follow without taking the lead.

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