Last Updated on December 25, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Yaniv (also known as Jhyap or Dhumbal) is an exciting and fast-paced card game that challenges players to have the lowest score by discarding cards in the most strategic way. The game revolves around players taking turns to reduce the value of their hand, either by drawing cards or calling “Yaniv” when they believe their hand is the lowest. But be careful, if someone beats you to it, you’ll face a penalty! This simple game is perfect for families and groups, offering both luck and strategy in every round. Here’s how to play:

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How to Play Yaniv (Jhyap/Dhumbal)

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Components

Yaniv is played with a 54-card deck, created by adding two Jokers to a standard 52-card deck.

• For 4 or more players, it is common to shuffle two 54-card decks together.
• Jokers are an essential part of standard Yaniv gameplay.

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Card Ranks and Values

Cards are ranked from highest to lowest as follows:

Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2

Each card also has a point value used for scoring:

Card	Value
Joker	0
Ace	1
2–10	Face value
Jack, Queen, King	10

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Determining the Dealer and Seating

Any fair method may be used to choose seating and the first dealer. A common method is drawing cards:

• Each player draws one card.
• The player with the highest-value card chooses their seat and becomes the first dealer.
• The remaining players choose seats in descending order.

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Setup

1. The dealer shuffles the deck and offers the player to their right the option to cut.
2. Cards are dealt clockwise, one at a time, until each player has five cards.
3. The remaining cards form the draw pile, placed face down in the center.
4. The top card of the draw pile is flipped face up to begin the play pile.
5. Players pick up their hands and examine their cards.

The dealer usually takes the first turn in the opening hand. In later hands, the player with the lowest score from the previous hand becomes the dealer and starts play.

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Objective

The objective of Yaniv is to end a hand with the lowest possible total value of cards. Players may end the hand by declaring Yaniv if their hand value is low enough.

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Turn Structure

On your turn, you may choose one of two options:

1. Make a play and draw a card
2. Declare “Yaniv”

You may only choose one option per turn.

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Legal Plays in Yaniv

If you choose to play cards, you must make exactly one legal play, which may consist of one or more cards.

All played cards are placed face up on the table before being added to the play pile.

1. Single Card

You may play any one card from your hand.

2. Same-Rank Set

You may play two or more cards of the same rank (e.g., three Kings).

• Jokers may not be used in sets.

3. Sequence

You may play a sequence of three or more cards if:

• All cards are the same suit
• Cards are in consecutive numerical order

Examples:

• 3♠–4♠–5♠
• 10♣–J♣–Q♣–K♣

Jokers may be used in sequences to replace any missing card(s).

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Drawing a Card

After making a valid play, you must draw one card to complete your turn.

You may draw either:

• The top card of the draw pile, or
• One card from the cards played by the previous player

If the previous player played multiple cards:

• You may only take the first or last card of that play

Ordering Matters

When adding your played cards to the play pile:

• Sequences must be stacked in numerical order
• Sets may be stacked in any order

This order determines which cards the next player is allowed to draw.

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Declaring “Yaniv”

Instead of playing cards, you may declare “Yaniv” at the start of your turn if:

• The total value of cards in your hand is 5 or less

Declaring Yaniv immediately ends the hand. All players reveal their hands and compare totals.

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Scoring

Successful Yaniv

If the player who called Yaniv has the lowest total:

• That player scores 0 points
• All other players score the total value of cards in their hands

Asaf (Failed Yaniv)

If any other player has an equal or lower total:

• The Yaniv caller scores 30 points + their hand value
• All other players score only the value of their hands

This is called Asaf, often announced aloud when revealed.

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Next Dealer

• The player with the lowest total becomes the dealer for the next hand
• If multiple players tie, the player who called Asaf becomes the dealer

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Score Adjustments

Special score reductions apply:

• Exactly 200 points → reduced to 100
• Exactly 100 points → reduced to 50

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Elimination and Winning the Game

• Any player who exceeds 200 total points is eliminated
• Play continues until one player remains, who is the winner
• If all remaining players exceed 200 in the same hand, the player with the lowest score wins

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Variations and Optional Rules

Adjusted Yaniv Limits

Instead of 5, players may agree on limits such as 6, 7, 10, 11, or 13.

Different Hand Sizes

Some groups deal 6–8 cards per player, often matching the Yaniv limit to the hand size.

Sevens Rule

Whenever a 7 is played:

• All other players draw one card
• Multiple sevens require multiple draws

Spy Card Rule

When the Queen of Diamonds is played:

• All opponents reveal their hands to the player
• Information must not be shared

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Regional Variants

Nepalese Yaniv

Key differences:

• Play proceeds counterclockwise
• Jokers are usually removed
• Jacks are worth 0
• Any previously played card may be drawn
• Asaf penalty is 25
• Players are eliminated at 100 points
• No score reduction at exactly 100

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Dhumbal

• No Jokers
• Card values change (J=11, Q=12, K=13)
• Sets may contain two cards
• Ending the game requires laying all cards face up
• Incorrect ending penalty: 20 points
• Early ending allowed at 15 or less

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Yellow Lemon

Traveler favorite:

• Jokers worth 20
• Players start with 7 cards
• Sets may be 2–4 cards
• Ending call is “Yellow” at 9 or less
• Others get one final turn
• If matched, opponent calls “Yellow Lemon”
• Incorrect call penalty: 20

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Least Count (India)

• Uses two 52-card decks
• A flipped card defines the Joker rank for the hand
• Joker-rank cards score 0
• Players discard first, then draw if required
• Declare “Show” at under 5 points
• False Show penalty: 25
• Elimination at 200 points

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Declare

• 3–8 players
• Goal is lowest hand total
• Players may Declare after their first turn
• Others receive one final turn
• Incorrect declare penalty equals twice the highest opponent’s hand
• Game ends when a player reaches 200 points

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Conclusion

Yaniv is a deceptively simple card game that rewards sharp observation, memory, and nerve. Whether played casually among travelers or competitively with house rules, Yaniv offers endless replayability and regional flavor. With its many variants, including Dhumbal, Yellow Lemon, and Least Count. The game adapts easily to different groups while keeping its core tension intact.

If you enjoy Yaniv, you may also like other low-hand-count and declaration-based card games such as Gin Rummy, Indian Rummy, or Poker-style draw games.