Game Rules
DutschMemorize, swap, stay low

A card and memory game with hidden information, card swapping, and a focus on low values.

Players2 – 6
Time10 – 20 min
DeckSpecial deck or adapted standard cards
LevelEasy to medium
I · The idea

Hidden cards,
open memory

I

Dutsch (also known as Dutch Blitz or Cambio) is a memory game with card swapping. Each player has several face-down cards in front of them and only knows some of them at the start.

The goal is to reach the lowest total score through clever swapping – while remembering which of your own cards lie where.

II · Preparation

Before the
game begins

II
1
Lay out the cards
Each player gets 4 cards laid out face down in front of them.
2
Look at two cards
At the start, you may look at two of your four cards once.
3
Remaining pile
Forms the stock for the swapping phase.
III · Card values
How to reduce
your points
III
S
Swap
With the stock
Swap one of your cards for the top stock card, without looking at your own first.
B
Blind swap
With a player
Swap one of your face-down cards for another player's face-down card.
M
Memory
Core mechanic
If you remember where your low cards lie, you avoid unnecessary swapping.
K
King
0 points
The King often counts as 0 points – a valuable exception among the face cards.
IV · Gameplay

Turn by
turn

IV
1
Draw or swap
Draw from the stock and swap with one of your face-down cards.
2
Swap with other players
Alternatively: propose a blind swap with another player.
3
End the round
A player calls “Stop” or knocks when they think their hand is low enough.
4
Reveal
Everyone reveals their cards and compares totals.
5
Count points
Lowest total wins the round. Played over several rounds – fewest total points at the end win the game.
V · Variants
Variants
V

Dutsch is known under many names across Europe and the USA.

C
Cambio
Spanish name for nearly identical rules.
DB
Dutch Blitz
American speed version with its own special deck.
6
Six cards
Extended variant with 6 instead of 4 cards per player.
∅
No preview
Stricter variant: no looking at any cards at the start.
Berlin Hold'em · Matching decks
Get the right deck

Dutsch trains your memory – easier to remember with clearly readable cards.

View all designs →
20s Playing Cards – Double Pack For bigger groups and long game nights. View product Viking Playing Cards – Double Pack Two decks, ideal for 5+ players. View product
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