The 6 best card games in the Gulf, explained in one minute each

4 November 2026 · Jakoz Gaming

Walk into any majlis in the Gulf in the evening and there is a good chance someone is shuffling cards. These are the six card games you will meet most, each explained in a minute.

1. Baloot (بلوت)

Players: 4 in two teams. Cards: 32 (7 to A). Players call Sun (no trumps) or Hokm (trumps) on a face-up card, win tricks for points, and race to 152. The Gulf's number one. Full rules.

2. Speed ♠ (سبيد)

Players: 4 in two teams. Cards: 52. Everyone bids how many tricks they will take; spades are always trumps; make your team's bid or lose it. Fast and tense. Full rules.

3. Jakaro (جاكارو)

Players: 4 in two teams. Cards: 52 + 2 jokers, plus a marble board. A card game and a race at once: each card moves your marbles in a different way. Full rules.

4. Tarneeb (طرنيب)

Players: 4 in two teams. Cards: 52. The highest bidder names the trump suit and must win that many tricks. A close cousin of Speed, popular across the Arab world.

5. Hand (هاند)

Players: 2 to 6. A rummy game: collect sets and runs, put them down and empty your hand before the others. Big in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

6. Konkan (كونكان)

Another rummy-style favourite where you build combinations and try to finish first, often played for points over many rounds.

Where to play online

On Jakoz you can play Baloot, Speed ♠ and Jakaro online free with your friends and voice chat, or practise against the computer. More Gulf games are on the way: watch what's new.

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