Official Kadi Rules
Learn how to play the fast-paced Kadi card game with our comprehensive guide. Master the rules to dominate whether you play Kadi online or in person.
Players
2-5 players
Deck
54 cards (with Jokers)
Objective
Play all winning cards in a single move
What is Kadi?
Kadi is a fast-paced, strategic card game playable with 2-5 players using a standard 54-card deck (including Jokers). Perfect for both casual and competitive players, Kadi combines elements of strategy, memory, and quick thinking.
Whether you're looking to play Kadi online with friends at wufwuf or master Kadi Pro techniques for tournaments, understanding these official Kadi rules is your first step to becoming a Kadi champion.
Getting Started with Kadi
Game Setup
- The dealer shuffles the deck and deals 4 cards to each player
- The top card from the draw pile is placed face up to start the discard pile
- Starting cards cannot be 2, 3, Question Cards, Kickback Cards, Jump Cards, Jokers, or Aces
- If an invalid starting card is drawn, reshuffle and draw again
Basic Gameplay in Kadi
- Players must play a card that matches the suit or rank of the top card
- Multiple cards of the same rank can be played in one turn
- If a player cannot play, they must draw from the draw pile
- When playing multiple cards, the last card determines the new suit
Understanding Kadi Card Types
Question Cards
Queens (Q) and Eights (8) must be played with matching answer cards of the same suit
Answer Cards
4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10 can answer Question Cards of the same suit
Jump Cards
Jacks (J) skip the next player's turn. Can be countered with another Jack
Kickback Cards
Kings (K) reverse the game direction. Can be countered with another King
Penalty Cards
2 (draw 2), 3 (draw 3), and Jokers (draw 5) force the next player to draw cards
Ace Cards
Can declare the next suit, block penalties, or demand both suit and rank when played as a pair
Special Moves in Kadi
Question Card Sequences
Chain Queens (Q) and Eights (8) following specific connection rules. There are 3,976 possible valid sequences!
Same Suit Connections
- Queen → Eight (QH → 8H valid, QH → 8D invalid)
- Eight → Queen (8H → QH valid, 8H → QD invalid)
Any Suit Connections
- Queen → Queen (QH → QD → QS valid)
- Eight → Eight (8H → 8D → 8S valid)
Sequence Rules
- Sequences can be 1-8 cards long
- No card can be used twice
- Example valid sequence: QS → QH → 8H → 8S → 8D
Penalty Card Rules
When a penalty card is played, the next player must either draw cards or counter:
- 2 card: Next player draws 2 cards
- 3 card: Next player draws 3 cards
- Joker: Next player draws 5 cards
Counter Options
- Play a penalty card of the same rank or suit (forwards penalty)
- Play a Joker (forwards penalty)
- Play an Ace (blocks penalty and continues with Ace's suit)
After a Joker penalty is resolved, the next player can choose any suit/rank.
Special Card Counters
Jump Cards (Jacks)
- Skips the next player's turn
- Can be countered with another Jack
- Multiple Jacks can skip multiple players
Kickback Cards (Kings)
- Reverses game direction
- Can be countered with another King
- Multiple Kings reverse multiple times
Ace Card Rules in Kadi
Ace Card Powers
Single Ace Play
- Can be played at any time during a player's turn
- Normal play: Player must demand a suit for the next play
- Against penalties: Blocks any penalty card (2, 3, or Joker)
Two Aces Play (AS)
- Playing two Aces simultaneously is equivalent to playing an "Ace of Spades" (AS)
- Player must demand both a suit AND a rank
- Maximum of two Aces per turn, regardless of how many you hold
Responding to Ace Demands
Suit Demands
When a single Ace demands a suit, next player must either:
- Play a card of the demanded suit
- Play their own Ace to remove suit demand
- Play multiple cards of the same rank (first card must match demanded suit)
- Draw if no valid play is available
Rank-Suit Demands
When two Aces demand both rank and suit, next player must either:
- Play the exact demanded card (matching both rank and suit)
- Play an Ace to remove only the rank demand (suit demand remains)
- Draw if neither option is available
Special Ace Interactions
With Penalties
- Single Ace blocks any penalty (2, 3, Joker)
- With two Aces during penalty: First Ace blocks, second only demands suit
With Jokers
- Joker invalidates all active rank and suit demands
- After Joker penalty resolution, next player can play any card
How to Win at Kadi
Winning Requirements
- 1
Say "Niko Kadi"
You must announce "Niko Kadi" in the round before you plan to win. If you don't, you cannot win on your next turn.
- 2
Play All Cards in One Move
You must play all your remaining cards in a single move to win.
- 3
Valid Winning Cards Only
Only these cards can be used as winning cards:
- • Answer Cards (4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10)
- • Question Cards (Q, 8) followed by their matching answer cards
Pro Kadi Winning Strategies
Serious Kadi players develop advanced strategies for tracking cards and planning their winning move:
- Question-Answer Pairing: Keep track of which Question Cards (Q, 8) can be paired with Answer Cards in your hand for winning sequences.
- Card Counting: Track the cards played to anticipate what your opponents might be holding.
- Timing "Niko Kadi": Announce at the exact right moment, when you're confident you can win on your next turn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I play Kadi online?
You can play Kadi online on wufwuf with friends or against AI opponents. Just register an account and start a new game from the dashboard.
How is Pro Kadi different from regular Kadi on Wufwuf?
Pro Kadi refers to competitive or tournament-style play, where players use advanced strategies and deeper understanding of the game mechanics. The rules are the same, but the level of play is more sophisticated.
What happens if I forget to say 'Niko Kadi'?
If you forget to announce 'Niko Kadi' in the round before you could win, you cannot play all your cards to win on your next turn, even if you have the right combination.
Can I play Kadi with more than 5 players on Wufwuf?
The official Kadi rules are designed for 2-5 players. With more players, the game dynamics change significantly and may require modified rules or an additional deck.
Are there Kadi tournaments online?
Yes! Wufwuf hosts regular Kadi online tournaments where you can test your skills against other players and earn rankings in the Kadi Pro leaderboards.
How many question card sequences are possible in Kadi?
There are exactly 3,976 possible valid question card sequences in Kadi, combining Queens (Q) and Eights (8) following the connection rules.
Learn to Play Kadi Online
Playing Kadi online at wufwuf offers several advantages over traditional card games:
Interactive Tutorials
Learn Kadi with step-by-step guided gameplay tutorials designed for beginners.
Play Anytime
Find opponents worldwide and play Kadi online 24/7, no matter your skill level.
Track Progress
Improve your skills with detailed stats and rise through the Pro Kadi ranks.