Matatu is a popular card game that comes from East Africa, and it’s super fun because it’s easy to learn and really exciting! Ask any Ugandans, they know how to play it.
Matutu is very similar to Uno, but you play it with a regular deck of 52 cards, and it works for 2 to 6 players. The name “Matatu” comes from the Swahili word for “three,” which shows how important strategy and card combinations are in the game. In this article, you’ll find all the details about how to play, the rules, and some tips so you can have a great time playing Mata
In Matatu, the goal is to be the first player to play all your cards or to have the smallest total of the numbers on your leftover cards after the game has been cut with a 7. Usually, each card gets a certain number of points based on the house rules, with 2 and Ace often being the highest as they leave you with each 25 points and 15 points if the game is cut, followed by face cards. You would want to avoid having these cards if the game is cut. Players have to think strategically about their cards and guess what their opponents might do, making the game thrilling and packed with fun.
Getting Ready to Play
Mix Up the Cards: One person is chosen to be the dealer. The dealer mixes the deck really well and gives each player 7 cards. The dealer also play.
Make the Draw Pile: The leftover cards are stacked face down to make a draw pile. The dealer flips over the top card to start a discard pile. The 7 of the suit that the dealer flips to start the discard pile, is the card that also cuts the game.
Starting the Game: The player sitting next to the dealer on the left goes first in the first round.
Playing The Game
The game moves in a clockwise direction from the beginning, and the player whose turn it is must place a card on the discard pile based on the last card that was played. For instance, you can put a heart on another heart regardless of the number that is stated on the card. Also, a 3 of Spades can be played on a 3 of Clubs, but a 5 of spades can not go on a 9 of diamonds. You can only play one card every round, unless if you’re only playing 2 people in which the rules will change a little bit.
If you don’t have a card to play from your hand, you need to pick a card from the draw pile. If the card you draw can be played, you can put it down right away in that same turn.
A round is over when a player has used all their cards or when someone cuts the game by playing the 7 of the suit that the dealer flipped at the start of the game. It’s smart to cut the game if you got low cards like a 6 and a 3. You should do this especially if you believe your opponents have higher cards. The goal is to keep your card points as low as possible, especially if you end the game by cutting. The winner of the game is the first to have used all your cards, or if the game is cut its the one who has the smallest numbers / points. You wouldn’t want to sit with an ace and a 2 in the end of the round, if the game is cut.
“Points”
- 1 – 9 = 1 – 9 Points
- Jack = 10 Points
- Queen = 11 Points
- King = 12 Points
- Ace = 15 Points
- 2 = 25 Points
Special Cards
If you have played Uno before, you know the +2 / +4 and Turn Direction cards. In Matutu it’s the same.
2 = Next player has to pick up 2 cards from the draw pile, unless if the player have a 2, in which the player can play the card and the +2 goes to the next player. 2’s doesn’t multiple, so maximum amount of cards a player can draw is 2.
7 = Cuts the game, and cards has to be counted.
8 = Skips next player.
Jack = Changes direction of the next player to play.
Ace = Choose suit. An ace can be played on any card, regardless of the suit.