Jakaro rules: how to play Jakaro (جاكارو) step by step
4 November 2026 · Jakoz Gaming
Jakaro (also written Jackaroo or Jakaroo) is a team race game played with marbles on a cross-shaped board and a normal deck of cards. Instead of dice, the card you play decides how your marble moves, which makes it far more tactical than Ludo. Here is everything you need to play your first game.
Players, teams and the board
- 4 players in 2 teams. Partners sit opposite each other.
- Everyone has 4 marbles waiting in their base.
- The track has 72 holes, 18 on each side. Each player has a start hole and a home lane of 4 holes.
The cards
A deck of 52 cards plus 2 jokers. Cards are dealt 5, then 4, then 4 each round. On your turn you play one card and move as it says.
| Card | What it does |
|---|---|
| A | Bring a marble out, or move 1 or 11 |
| K | Bring a marble out, or move 13 |
| Q | Move 12 |
| J | Swap one of your marbles with any other marble on the track |
| 10 | Move 10, or burn: the next player loses a random card |
| 7 | Split 7 steps between your marbles; every marble you pass is sent back to its base |
| 5 | Move any marble 5 forward, even an opponent's |
| 4 | Move 4 backwards |
| 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 | Move that many |
| Joker | Plays as any card |
Capturing and blocking
- Land exactly on a marble and it goes back to its base, even your partner's.
- A marble sitting on its own start hole blocks the way: nobody can pass it, land on it or swap with it.
- Your own marbles can't land on each other.
Getting home
After one full lap a marble enters its home lane, and it needs the exact count to move in. Marbles can't jump over each other inside the lane.
No card fits?
If none of your cards can be played, you burn (throw away) one card and your turn ends.
Winning
When all four of your marbles are home, you keep playing your cards for your partner's marbles. The first team with all 8 marbles home wins.
Play Jakaro online
On Jakoz you can play Jakaro online free: with friends and voice chat, or against computer players while you learn. Read the full Jakaro guide and our tips to win.
Frequently asked questions
How many players play Jakaro?
Four players in two teams of two. Partners sit opposite each other and win together.
What does the 7 do in Jakaro?
You split 7 steps between your marbles (for example 4 + 3). Every marble you pass on the way, except your own, is sent back to its base.
Can I play Jakaro online?
Yes. Jakoz has Jakaro online for free: play with friends and voice chat, or against computer players.
What happens when all my marbles are home?
You keep playing your cards, but for your partner’s marbles. The first team to get all 8 marbles home wins.