Card Games Like Golf

Cabo

Players: Smiling Monster rules: 2 to 5 players, ages 8 and up, about 30 minutes.

How it is like Golf

• You start with four hidden cards.
• You draw and swap to cut points.
• The lowest total wins the round.
• You watch what others take from the pile.

How it differs from Golf

• Cabo uses its own deck.
• Some cards let you peek or swap with a foe.
• You say Cabo to end the round.
• Each other player gets one more turn.

Source: Smiling Monster Cabo rules (PDF)

Skyjo

Players: Magilano rules: 2 to 8 players, ages 8 and up, about 30 minutes.

How it is like Golf

• Each player hides cards in a grid.
• You draw or take the top discard.
• You swap to drop points over many rounds.
• You try to end with a low round score.

How it differs from Golf

• You get 12 cards in a 3 by 4 grid.
• You flip two cards before play starts.
• Three equal cards in one column are removed.
• Play stops when someone reaches 100 points or more.

Source: Magilano Skyjo rules (PDF)

Rat-a-Tat Cat

Players: Gamewright: 2 to 6 players, ages 6 and up, about 20 minutes.

How it is like Golf

• You get four face-down cards.
• You peek at two at the start.
• You draw and swap to drop high rat cards.
• Low totals win, like Golf holes.

How it differs from Golf

• The deck uses cats, rats, and power cards.
• Peek, Swap, and Draw Two add special moves.
• You knock and say Rat-a-Tat Cat to end a round.
• Each other player gets one last turn.

Source: Gamewright Rat-a-Tat Cat rules (PDF)

Kombio

Players: Kombio rules page: four cards each. Site text lists 2 player through 6 player groups.

How it is like Golf

• Four face-down cards sit in a 2 by 2 grid.
• You draw and discard each turn.
• You call KOMBIO to end the round.
• Each other player gets one last turn.
• You chase a low score in a layout.

How it differs from Golf

• Cards 7 through 14 are ability cards on the rules page.
• You may match the top discard at any time.
• KOMBIO adds extra score rules when you call.

Source: KOMBIO official rules

Crazy Eights

Players: Pagat: 2 to 8 players with one pack. Use two packs for a big group.

How it is like Golf

• Each turn you draw or play to the discard pile.
• Both are easy to teach at home.

How it differs from Golf

• You win by emptying your hand.
• You do not score a hidden grid.
• Eights are wild on Pagat basic rules.

Source: Pagat Crazy Eights

How does Rummy compare?

Rummy is a draw-and-discard game too. You build sets and runs. You go out when your hand is empty.

Players: Pagat says two to four players is best. Up to six may play. Deal ten, seven, or six cards by count.

Like Golf: You draw and discard each turn. You watch what others take from the pile.

Different from Golf: Score comes from cards left in your hand. Golf scores card values in a layout.

Source: Pagat Rummy

Where does Golf fit?

Pagat puts Golf in the draw-and-discard family.

Pagat links Cabo-style games to four-card Golf.

Wikipedia Cabo page says Cabo is like Rat-a-Tat Cat.

Skyjo and Kombio are newer boxed games with the same low-score goal.

Crazy Eights is lighter. It shares draw and discard but not a scored grid.

Try Golf free on this site if you like hidden cards and low totals.

Sources: Pagat Golf, Wikipedia Cabo (game)