Kerala Card Games: The Complete Cheettukali List
In Kerala, ചീട്ടുകളി (cheettukali) isn't one game. It's a whole family of evenings: a mat on the verandah, a pack of cards, and friends who all think they know the rules best. Here are the games you're most likely to meet.
The trump games (the Jack-and-Nine family)
| Game | Players | In short |
|---|---|---|
| 28 (Irupathiyettu) | 4 (or 6) | The classic. Bid from 14, hidden trump, Honours at 20. |
| 56 (Ambathiyaaru) | 6 (or 4/8) | Double pack, bids name a suit or NT, rich bidding conventions. |
| 40 (Thuruppu 40) | 6 | 28 with point cards added; Honours, Jodi, Thani and coolies. |
| 29 | 4 | North India's cousin of 28, with the Pair and ±6 scoring. |
All four rank the Jack and Nine above the Ace, and all are team games of skill.
Other games at Kerala tables
- കഴുത (Kazhutha, "donkey"): a light shedding-style game where the last player left holding cards is the donkey. Great for mixed ages. Play Kazhutha.
- 304: the big-points cousin of 28, popular with Tamil and Sri Lankan families and in parts of Kerala. Play 304.
- Rummy: widely played at home with friends and family. (Online real-money rummy is a different thing and is now banned in India; Cheettukali has no money games of any kind.)
- Many families have their own quick games for children; names and rules change from village to village.
The words you'll hear
Thuruppu (trump), gulan (Jack), vili (call), vettu (cut), koolie (score unit in 40). See the full card game terms list.
Where to play online
Cheettukali has free tables for 40, 29, 28 and 56, playable on any phone with smart computer partners.
Which game should a group pick?
| You have… | Play |
|---|---|
| 4 players, quick fun | 28 or 29 |
| 6 players who like signals and banter | 40 |
| 6 serious players who enjoy bidding systems | 56 |
| Mixed ages, kids at the table | Kazhutha, or 28 with open trump |
🃏 Try it now: play the 40 card game free in your browser, no download, no money.
FAQ
What are the popular card games in Kerala?
28 (Irupathiyettu), 56 (Ambathiyaaru), the 40 card game (Thuruppu 40), and lighter games like Kazhutha. 29 is also widely known.
What does cheettukali mean?
Cheettukali (ചീട്ടുകളി) is Malayalam for playing cards, literally card play.