Appu
The RingleaderLoud, cheeky and always first to point at the loser.
“Loser does my homework!”
There's no winner here. Only a Donkey.
Shed every card before the regulars do.
Coming soon to iPhone
HOW TO PLAY
Don't be the Donkey.
A classic Kerala card game, played in homes, clubs and chaayakadas for generations. Five players, one deck, and a single loser left holding the cards.
01
Follow the suit
The Ace of Spades starts. Everyone plays the suit of the first card. If all follow, the cards are thrown away.
02
Strike!
No card of that suit? Play any other. The round stops, and the highest card of the suit picks up the whole pile.
03
Empty your hand
Get rid of every card to go safe. The last player still holding cards is the Donkey.
FIVE TABLES
Work your way up the village.
Each table has its own regulars, its own music and its own tricks. Win coins, unlock the next seat.
-
01
Amma Veedu
School’s out and the cousins are on the veranda. Find your feet: they play on instinct.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Entry
- 10 coins
- Unlock
- Free
Meet them
-
02
Arts & Sports Club
Carrom’s done, cards are out. The table is watching the suits now.
- Difficulty
- Normal
- Entry
- 25 coins
- Unlock
- 200 coins
Meet them
-
03
Chaaya Kada
Tea, newspapers and careful players who count cards and spot danger.
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Entry
- 50 coins
- Unlock
- 500 coins
Meet them
-
04
Kandam
The elders’ table in the shade. Experienced players who control the game.
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Entry
- 75 coins
- Unlock
- 750 coins
Meet them
-
05
HARDCOREKallu Shaap
Hardcore. Nothing is enforced: bluff, watch, and call a cheat when you catch one.
- Difficulty
- Hardcore
- Entry
- 100 coins
- Unlock
- 1,000 coins
Meet them
THE REGULARS
Twenty characters. Zero mercy.
Every table has its own four regulars, and every one of them plays differently. Pick a table and meet who you’re up against.
Ammu
The UnbeatableArms crossed, chin up. She has never lost a game. Just ask her.
“I never lose at cards.”
Unni
The GigglerLaughs at everyone’s bad luck, including his own.
“No crying this time, okay?”
Malu
Ammachi’s FavouriteSharp, proud, and quick to tell you who taught her.
“Ammachi says I’m the best.”
Shyam
The Carrom ChampFresh off a carrom win and still warmed up.
“Carrom’s done. Cards now.”
Faisal
The Club SecretaryKeeps the club rules, and the tea money.
“Club rule: loser buys tea.”
Tomy
The PractiserSpent all week shuffling, and wants you to know it.
“I’ve been practising, machane.”
Prasad
The SeniorGlasses on, eyebrow up, no patience for new boys.
“Try not to cry, new boy.”
Gopalan
The Chai LoverNever deals before his next glass of tea.
“One more chai, then we deal.”
Ummer
The VeteranForty years at this table. He has seen every trick.
“Forty years I’ve played here.”
Jose
The Newspaper ManReads every page, but the game always comes first.
“Paper can wait. Deal!”
Chandran
The WarnerRaises a finger and watches your spades.
“Watch your spades, mone.”
Velu
The King of the TreeHands on hips. The shade, and the table, are his.
“Under this tree, I’m the king.”
Mathai
The HostCalm and welcoming, right up until he strikes.
“Sit. The shade is free.”
Raghavan
The Card CounterRemembers every card that has been played.
“I count every card, you know.”
Sulaiman
The Patient OneFolds his hands, waits, and wins.
“Patience wins. Always.”
Shaji
The DaredevilSquares up and dares you to cheat.
“Cheat if you dare.”
Vasu
The Life of the ShopAlways calling for another round of kallu.
“Another round of kallu!”
Pappan
The WatcherNothing at this table gets past his eyes.
“I see everything, mone.”
Kuttan
The BankerCounts the notes and makes sure the loser pays.
“Loser pays the bill.”
Hardcore mode
At the Kallu Shaap nothing is enforced. Lie about your suit, play out of turn, and call a cheat if you catch one.
Smart opponents
Bots only see what a real player would. The higher the table, the more carefully they count the cards.
Save your progress
Play as a guest, or sign in with Apple or Google to keep your coins and tables on any phone.
