Dutch is simple: 4 face-down cards in front of you, you need to finish with the lowest score possible — and shout "Dutch!" at the right moment. Also known as Tamalou, Cabo or Cactus depending on your crew, it's a memory and bluffing game that kicks off in 2 minutes with a standard 52-card deck. Perfect for 2 to 6 players, it works just as well at happy hour as it does at a full night out. In this guide, we've got the complete rules: setup, turn-by-turn gameplay, special cards, penalties and house variants to spice up your games.
- What you need to play Dutch
- The goal: lowest score wins
- Setup: dealing and memorising
- How a turn works in Dutch
- Special cards and their powers
- Calling "Dutch!" and penalties
- House variants to spice things up
- Card reference table
- FAQ
? What you need to play Dutch
Good news: Dutch doesn't need any special gear. No board, no dice, no mandatory app. Just what's probably already in your kitchen drawer.
The essentials
- One standard 52-card deck (without jokers, unless you're playing a specific variant)
- Paper and pen to keep score — or your phone's Notes app, that works too
- A table with enough space for each player to lay out 4 cards
- Drinks — soft drinks, mocktails or whatever you fancy, Dutch plays great without alcohol
The ideal number of players
Dutch works with 2 to 6 players using a single deck. Below 3, it's a bit flat. At 4-5 players, that's the sweet spot: enough people for card swaps to create chaos, not so many that turns drag on. More than 6? Grab two decks and you can go up to 10-12 players no problem.
How long does a game take?
One round lasts between 5 and 15 minutes depending on how quick your crew plays. A full game (up to 100 points) takes 30 to 60 minutes. Perfect for a pre-drink or killing time between pizzas.
? The goal: lowest score wins
The objective is crystal clear: have the lowest total value in your 4 cards when the round ends. Each card has a point value, and you want your 4 cards to add up as close to zero as possible.
The points breakdown
- Ace : 1 point
- 2 to 10 : face value (7 is worth 7 points, 3 is worth 3 points, etc.)
- Jack : 11 points
- Queen : 12 points
- Black King (spades and clubs) : 13 points — the worst card in the game
- Red King (hearts and diamonds) : 0 points — the best card in the game!
Why Red Kings are so valuable
Red Kings at 0 points are what make Dutch stand out from a lot of other card games. If you've got one in your hand, you're holding onto it for dear life. Two Red Kings in your hand? That's already 0 points on two slots — a dream position to call Dutch.
"I had two Red Kings and an Ace… I called Dutch too early without checking my fourth card. It was a Black King. 13 point penalty on top. The night went downhill from there."
Winning the full game
The game ends when a player reaches or goes over 100 points. At that point, everyone counts up their total scores and the player with the lowest overall score wins. No confusion: fewer points = you're winning.
? Setup: dealing and memorising
Before the first turn, there's a quick but crucial setup phase. This is where a lot of the strategy happens: you're going to memorise two of your cards, and after that, no more peeking without permission.
- Pick a dealer — youngest, last to arrive, whoever lost the last game, doesn't matter.
- The dealer shuffles and deals 4 face-down cards to each player, one at a time.
- Lay your cards out in a line or square, face down. Don't flip them yet.
- The rest of the deck goes in the middle as the draw pile. The dealer flips the top card to start the discard pile.
- Memory time: each player can look at 2 of their 4 cards, just once, without showing anyone. Memorise where they are!
- Once everyone's memorised their 2 cards, flip them back face down. Game on.
The memory trap
This moment matters more than it seems. You're going to manage 4 cards where you only know 2 — and only if you actually remembered them. Loads of new players peek at their cards and forget where they were in 30 seconds. Pro tip: link each card to its position mentally ("left is the 9, second one is the Red King") rather than just remembering the values.
Who goes first?
The player to the left of the dealer starts. Then play goes clockwise — like most card games.
? How a turn works in Dutch
Each turn, you've got one decision to make: draw a card and decide what to do with it. Sounds simple, but that's where memory and bluffing come in.
Turn steps
- Draw: grab the top card from the draw pile or the top card from the discard pile.
- Look at your card (don't show anyone).
- Decide: you can either…
- Swap the card you drew with one of your 4 face-down cards (you discard the old one face up), or
- Discard it straight away if you don't want it — but if it's a special card, its effect triggers!
- Turn passes to the next player.
The burn rule (out-of-turn discard)
This is the rule half your crew will forget — and it changes everything. If a card matching the one just discarded (same value) is in your hand, you can throw it on the discard pile immediately, even if it's not your turn. That's called a "burn".
Example: the player before you discards a 7. You know you've got a 7 in your hand (you memorised it or just swapped for it). You throw it down straight away. Result: you ditch a card and drop your score in one move.
Watch out: if you mess up and the card you burn doesn't match the discard, you take a penalty (usually draw an extra card). So be sure before you burn!
When the draw pile runs out
If the draw pile empties before anyone calls Dutch, flip the discard pile over (except the last visible card) to make a new draw pile. Game carries on normally.
✨ Special cards and their powers
This is where Dutch goes from "chill memory game" to "strategy and chaos". Some cards, when discarded (whether from a swap or a burn), trigger a special effect. These effects vary a bit between groups, but here's the most common version.
Ace — The dealer
When you discard an Ace, you can give a card from the draw pile to any opponent you choose, face down. They have to add it to their hand by replacing one of their cards (which they discard). Handy for loading up an opponent who looks too comfortable.
Jack — The swapper
The Jack lets you swap two cards between any two players (including yourself or not, depending on your variant). You pick which cards move, but you can't look at them first. This is where memory becomes crucial: if you know your opponent's got a Red King, you can swap it for your Black King. Game changer.
Queen — The spy
Discarding a Queen gives you the right to look at one of your own face-down cards. Perfect when you've forgotten what you're holding — and that happens way more often than you'd think after a few rounds.
7 and 8 — The curious (variant)
In some versions, discarding a 7 or 8 lets you look at one of your own cards without showing anyone. Less powerful than the Queen, but useful for refreshing your memory.
9 and 10 — The spies (variant)
Also variant, discarding a 9 or 10 lets you peek at one of your opponent's cards of your choice, without showing them. Valuable intel for knowing if you can safely call Dutch.
Black King — The punisher (variant)
In some groups, the Black King (13 points, worst card) has a strong offensive power: it can force an opponent to swap one of their cards with one of yours. Use it wisely.
Pro tip: memorise your opponents' special cards when you see them discard. Knowing a player just peeked at their card thanks to a Queen? That's pure intel — they now know what they've got, and you can play around that.
? Calling "Dutch!" and penalties
This is the moment of truth. Think you've got the lowest score? You shout "Dutch!" at the end of your turn (never mid-turn). Once you call Dutch, every other player gets one more turn to improve their hand — and you're done playing.
Scoring after Dutch
Once everyone's had their final turn, flip all cards face up. Each player adds up their 4 cards. The player who called Dutch needs to have the lowest score to win the round.
Penalty for a bad Dutch call
If you call Dutch but another player has a score equal to or lower than yours, you take a penalty. Depending on your variant:
- +20 points added to your score (most common)
- +2 extra cards in your hand for the next round
- Double your score for the round (hardcore variant)
In case of an exact tie with the Dutch caller, usually the other player (not the caller) wins the round — but this varies by group, so agree before you start!
Counter-Dutch
Some groups play with the Counter-Dutch rule: if a player thinks they've got a better score than whoever just called Dutch, they can shout "Counter-Dutch!" right away. Stakes go up:
- If the Counter-Dutch caller actually has the lowest score, the Dutch caller takes a doubled penalty.
- If the Counter-Dutch caller is wrong, they take the doubled penalty.
This rule adds a huge level of bluffing and tension — activate it once your crew's comfortable with the basics.
Other common penalties
- Peeking without permission: if you flip one of your cards without the right to (no special card power active), you draw an extra penalty card.
- Bad burn: you throw down a card as a burn but it doesn't match the discard → you take your card back and draw a penalty card.
- Calling Dutch out of turn: some groups penalise this with an extra card.
? House variants to spice things up
Dutch is a "living" game: rules vary from crew to crew, and that's what makes it fun. Here are the most popular variants to keep things fresh once everyone's nailed the basics.
Score condition for calling Dutch (Tamalou variant)
In the Tamalou version (the most common name in some regions), you can only call Dutch if you think you've got 5 points or less. Forces players to be really sure before they hit the button. Result: rounds last longer and plot twists happen more often.
The Kamikaze
A player can call Dutch on the very first turn, without playing. Total bet on your starting hand. If it works, it's legendary. If it fails, max penalty. Save this for players who trust their luck.
5-card version
To make it tougher and stretch the game out, each player gets 5 cards instead of 4. You can still peek at 2 at the start. Scores climb faster and memory management gets really challenging.
Extended card powers
Some groups activate powers for 7s, 8s, 9s and 10s (see special cards section). Others add the Joker as a "zero card" that replaces any card in your hand. Your crew decides what works — the key is everyone agrees before dealing.
Playing with more than 6 people
Over 6 players, use two shuffled decks. Rules stay the same. Burns happen more often (two matching cards in circulation), which speeds up turns and creates more chaos — in a good way.
"Shots" or "dares" version (18+, drink responsibly)
For crews wanting to add a party vibe: the player with the highest score each round (not the Dutch caller) does a dare or takes a shot. But remember: Dutch plays great with soft drinks or mocktails — the game's already fun enough without needing alcohol to spice it up. 18+ only, drink responsibly.
If you want to mix up your card games, Traknard also has The Bus, The Pyramid or 99 — classics that chain perfectly with Dutch. And if you want to switch things up completely, Never Have I Ever or Truth or Dare or Would You Rather are there to keep the energy up between rounds.
? Dutch card reference table
| Card | Points | Special power (if discarded) |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | 1 point | Give a draw pile card to any opponent |
| 2 | 2 points | No power |
| 3 | 3 points | No power |
| 4 | 4 points | No power |
| 5 | 5 points | No power |
| 6 | 6 points | No power |
| 7 | 7 points | Look at one of your own cards (variant) |
| 8 | 8 points | Look at one of your own cards (variant) |
| 9 | 9 points | Look at an opponent's card (variant) |
| 10 | 10 points | Look at an opponent's card (variant) |
| Jack | 11 points | Swap two cards between players |
| Queen | 12 points | Look at one of your own face-down cards |
| Red King (hearts / diamonds) | 0 points | No offensive power — best card in the game! |
| Black King (spades / clubs) | 13 points | Force an opponent to swap a card with you (variant) |
Note: powers marked "variant" aren't universal. Agree on them before you play!
❓ FAQ — Your Dutch questions answered
What's the difference between Dutch and Tamalou?
Answer: Dutch and Tamalou are basically the same base game: 4 face-down cards, memorising, aiming for the lowest score. The main difference is the condition for calling the end: in Tamalou, you can only shout "Tamalou!" if you think you've got 5 points or less, whereas in classic Dutch, you can call it whenever. Special card powers also vary slightly between groups. In practice, if you know one, you know the other — just align on which version you're playing before you start.
How many people can play Dutch?
Answer: Dutch works with 2 to 6 players using one 52-card deck. At 2, it's playable but less tense. The sweet spot is 4-6 players: enough people for card swaps to surprise you, not so many that turns drag. More than 6? Shuffle two decks together and you can go up to 10-12 players no problem. Rules stay exactly the same.
What happens if I call Dutch and don't have the best score?
Answer: If you call Dutch but another player has an equal or lower score, you take a penalty. Most common: +20 points added to your total. Some groups play +2 cards next round, others double your score for the round. Whatever the variant, it hurts — so be really confident before you shout Dutch. In case of an exact tie, usually the other player (not the caller) wins the round.
How many points is a Red King worth in Dutch?
Answer: In the vast majority of Dutch variants, Red Kings (hearts and diamonds) are worth 0 points. They're the best cards in the game — you want to keep them in your hand at all costs. Black Kings (spades and clubs), on the other hand, are worth 13 points and are the worst. This Red/Black King split is one of Dutch's most distinctive features compared to other card games.
Can you play Dutch without alcohol?
Answer: Absolutely, and that's actually the base version! Dutch is fundamentally a memory and strategy game that plays great with soft drinks, mocktails or anything you fancy. Alcohol is just an optional add-on for groups wanting to play "dares" style. A good alcohol-free mojito or homemade lemonade works perfectly for a solid Dutch night. The fun comes from the game, not the glass.
What's Counter-Dutch?
Answer: Counter-Dutch is an optional rule that lets a player challenge whoever just called Dutch. If you think you've got a better score (or equal), you shout "Counter-Dutch!" right away. If you're right and your score is actually lower or equal, the Dutch caller takes a doubled penalty. If you're wrong, you take the doubled penalty. It's a rule that adds massive tension and bluffing — activate it once your crew's solid on the basics.
When does a Dutch game end?
Answer: The game ends when a player reaches or goes over 100 points at the end of a round. At that point, count everyone's total and the player with the lowest overall score wins the game. Heads up: it's not necessarily whoever had the lowest score in the last round — it's the cumulative total across all rounds that matters. One bad round can flip the whole game at the end.
Can you discard a card out of turn in Dutch?
Answer: Yes, that's the burn rule! If a card matching the one just discarded (same value) is in your hand, you can throw it on the discard pile straight away, even if it's not your turn. It's one of the most forgotten but also most strategic rules in the game. Fair warning though: if you mess up and your card doesn't match the discard, you take a penalty (usually draw an extra card). Be sure before you burn!
TL;DR ?
For your first game:
→ Play with basic rules (skip the 7/8/9/10 powers), memorise your 2 starting cards well, and only call Dutch if you're really confident about your score.
For special cards:
→ Remember the key ones — Ace (give), Jack (swap), Queen (peek at your own), Red King (0 pts), Black King (13 pts) — and agree on variants before you deal.
To avoid mess-ups:
→ Memorise where your cards are, not just what they are. And before you burn out of turn, be 100% sure your card matches the discard.
To keep it fresh:
→ Try the Tamalou variant (5-point limit to call), activate Counter-Dutch, or bump it up to 5 cards for a harder game.
To chain games together:
→ After a few Dutch rounds, move into The Pyramid or The Bus on Traknard to stay in card game mode, or switch to Never Have I Ever or Truth or Dare or Would You Rather for a total vibe change.
The real question isn't "do you get the rules?" It's "did you memorise your cards?" ??
Traknard is 18+. If you're playing the "shots" version, drink responsibly and sort out a designated driver or Uber home.
