Rules for Gurka

Gurka is a card game for 3–7 players where the goal is to avoid taking the last trick. The game uses a standard 52-card deck with no jokers, and each player is dealt 7 cards. Only card values matter, suits are irrelevant. Aces are highest, 2s are lowest.

The game starts with the player to the left of the dealer playing a card. The next players must play a card of equal or higher value. If a player cannot play an equal or higher card, they must play their lowest card. This continues around the table until all players have played one card. The highest card wins the trick — if multiple players play the highest card, the last one to play it takes the trick. The winner of the trick starts the next round.

Normally only one player may play an Ace in each trick. If someone has already played an Ace, other players must play their lowest card — unless the Ace is the only card they have left.

The game ends when all players have run out of cards. The player who played the highest card in the last trick receives negative points equal to the card’s value (14 for Ace, 13 for King, etc.). Players who reach 30 negative points are eliminated. The game continues until only one player remains.