How to Play Cambio the Card Game

🎯 Objective

The goal of Cambio is simple: end the game with the lowest total score.

🔧 Setup

  • Shuffle the deck and deal 4 cards face down to each player.

  • Each player may peek at the 2 cards closest to them, then return them face down.

  • Place the remaining deck in the center as the draw pile.

  • Leave space beside it for a discard pile.

🕹️ Gameplay

On your turn, you must draw the top card from either the draw pile or the discard pile. You can:

  1. Discard the card face-up onto the discard pile.

  2. Swap it (keeping it face down) with one of your own face-down cards, placing the swapped card face-up onto the discard pile.

🔸 Fair play tip: See etiquette below for flipping rules.

🔨 Slamming

If any player sees a card on the discard pile that matches one on the table, they can attempt to slam:

  • If slamming your own card:

    • Place it on the discard pile.

    • You now have one fewer card.

  • If slamming another player’s card:

    • That player receives a penalty card from the draw pile.

    • The slammer gives one of their own cards to the penalized player.

📌 Slammed cards are placed in empty slots, or to the side if the player already has four cards.

Slamming rules:

  • A discard pile card can only be slammed once.

  • Incorrect slams result in a penalty card from the draw pile.

  • No penalty if someone else beats you to a slam.

🔮 Special Power Cards

If you draw a power card (7–13) and discard it, you may use its effect once:

  • 7 or 8 – Look at one of your own cards.

  • 9 or 10 – Look at an opponent’s card.

  • 11 or 12 – Blind trade any two face-down cards on the table.

  • 13 – Informed trade: Look at two cards and swap them if you wish.

🛑 Cards must stay in their original positions when swapped. You cannot rearrange your layout. You cannot swap with an empty space.

🔚 Ending the Game

Instead of drawing a card, a player may call "Cambio!" if they believe they have a score of 5 or less.

  • After "Cambio!" is called, all other players take one final turn.

  • The caller’s cards cannot be viewed, exchanged, or slammed during this round.

  • Once the round ends, all cards are revealed and scores are totaled.

Winning:

  • The player with the lowest score wins.

  • If the caller is wrong (i.e., not the lowest, tied, or has more than 5), they begin the next game with a penalty card.

🧠 Etiquette

  • Quick flips: Always flip discard cards from the far edge to avoid seeing them first.

  • One-hand rule: Use only one hand during play to prevent slamming with both hands.

🌀 Variations & Scoring (Optional)

  • Best of 5: First to win 3 out of 5 rounds is the overall winner.

  • Penalty for Highest Score: Player with the highest score takes a penalty card into the next round.

  • Cumulative Score: Track total points over multiple rounds. Lowest cumulative score wins.

  • Zeros Mode: Add the two Zero cards for more complexity.

🎥 Learn by Watching

Want a visual explanation? Watch our quick tutorial video.

📦 Ready to Play?

Shop Now to get your deck and start playing Cambio: Into the Wild!