Game Rules
YanivCall it at the right moment

A very fast hand-management game. Aim for low card values and find the right moment to call it.

Players2 – 5
Time10 – 15 min
Deck52 cards · 1 deck
LevelEasy
I · The idea

Stay low,
call in time

I

Yaniv is a fast-paced Israeli card game. Each player tries to keep the total value of their hand as low as possible – by discarding combinations and drawing wisely.

Whoever believes they have the lowest hand calls "Yaniv!" and reveals it. If they're wrong, there's a penalty – if they're right, they win the round.

II · Preparation

Before the
game begins

II
1
Deal the cards
Each player receives 5 cards.
2
Start the discard pile
Turn over the top card of the remaining stock.
3
Point values
Ace = 1, face cards = 10, number cards = face value. Joker = 0.
Before you start

Discard combinations (pairs, sets, sequences) as early as possible – they reduce your hand total most effectively.

III · Card values
How to shrink
your hand
III
S
Set
Same value
Discard two or more cards of the same value at once.
R
Sequence
Run of one suit
Discard three or more consecutive cards of the same suit.
Y
Yaniv!
≤ 7 points
With a hand total of 7 or less, you may call "Yaniv!" and reveal.
A
Assaf
Opponent wins
If another player has an equal or lower hand: they win instead of the caller.
IV · Gameplay

Turn by
turn

IV
1
Draw a card
Draw from the face-down stock or the open discard pile.
2
Discard a combination
Discard sets or sequences to reduce your hand total.
3
Discard a single card
At least one card must go to the discard pile every turn.
4
Call Yaniv
With 7 points or fewer: reveal your hand and call Yaniv.
5
Compare points
Lowest hand wins the round – 0 points. Everyone else counts their hand total as penalty points. Whoever reaches 100+ penalty points is out.
V · Variants
Variants
V

Yaniv is especially popular among backpackers and in Israel.

J
With jokers
Two jokers in the deck as wildcards worth 0.
S
Slap Down
Cards of the same value may be discarded quickly out of turn.
∅
Stricter Yaniv limit
Yaniv only allowed at 5 points or fewer instead of 7.
5
Five players
With more players the game becomes more tactical and longer.
VI · Tips & tricks

What really
matters

VI
Strategy tips
+

Discard combinations as early as possible – they shrink your hand total faster than single cards.

+

Don't call Yaniv too close to the limit – if several players might have similarly low hands, you risk an Assaf.

+

Watch which cards your opponents discard – it reveals whether they're close to calling Yaniv themselves.

+

Keep low single cards like Aces longer if you don't have a complete combination yet – they cost the least.

Common mistakes
–

Calling Yaniv too early with a hand that isn't truly low, without realistically assessing the Assaf risk.

–

Forgetting that you must discard at least one card every turn – hoarding cards without discarding is not allowed.

–

Holding on to high single cards for too long, hoping for a combination that never comes together.

–

Underestimating the danger of an Assaf – with several low hands in play, caution often beats an early call.

Berlin Hold'em · Matching decks
Get the right deck

Yaniv is fast and compact – playable anywhere with a standard deck.

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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