Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

KARMA is a dynamic shedding-style card game from the creator of Five Crowns. In this fast-paced game, players must get rid of all their cards while avoiding getting stuck with high-value ones. The twist? Special KARMA cards can change the game at any moment, helping players escape tough situations or turning the tide against their opponents. With easy-to-learn rules and exciting strategic elements, KARMA is perfect for 2-6 players, ages 8+, and plays in about 30 minutes.

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How to Play KARMA

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Objective

Be the first player to get rid of all your cards while using KARMA cards strategically to stay in the game.

Game Components

• Number Cards (1-16) – These form the main deck used for playing and discarding.
• KARMA Cards – Special cards that introduce unique abilities, such as reversing play or forcing another player to pick up the pile.
• Draw Pile & Discard Pile – Players draw cards from the deck and play them onto the discard pile.

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Setup

1. Shuffle the deck and deal:
   • 3 Face-Down Cards to each player (do not look at them).
   • 3 Face-Up Cards on top of the face-down ones.
   • 5 Cards into each player’s hand.
2. Place the remaining deck in the center as the draw pile, leaving space for a discard pile.
3. The player to the dealer’s left goes first.

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Gameplay

Players take turns playing a card that is equal to or higher than the top card of the discard pile.

1. Playing a Card:
   • Players must play a card of equal or higher value than the top card in the discard pile.
   • If they cannot, they must pick up the discard pile.
2. KARMA Cards:
   • KARMA cards introduce special effects such as reversing play, skipping turns, or forcing another player to pick up the pile.
   • Some KARMA cards allow a player to play out of turn or clear the discard pile entirely.
3. Switching to Face-Up and Face-Down Cards:
   • Once a player has used all their hand cards, they must play from their face-up cards.
   • When all face-up cards are gone, they begin playing the unknown face-down cards, flipping one at a time and playing it if possible.

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Winning the Game

The first player to successfully play all their cards (hand, face-up, and face-down) wins the round. The game continues until one ultimate winner is determined.

Strategy Tips

• Save KARMA Cards for critical moments when you need to reverse play or force an opponent into a tough spot.
• Remember Face-Down Cards are unpredictable—plan ahead to get rid of your hand and face-up cards before reaching them.
• Keep Track of Opponents’ Cards to anticipate when to play KARMA cards effectively.

KARMA delivers a balance of luck and strategy, making it an exciting game for both casual players and competitive card game fans.