The Balkan card game.
How to Play ŽandariSjećaš se? — remember?
A game played by generations across the Balkans. Now in your pocket.
Choose your level
The Balkan card game.
A game played by generations across the Balkans. Now in your pocket.
Choose your level
Žandari — known across the Balkans as Žandar — is a traditional fishing card game for two or four players. Cards lie face-up on the table. On each turn you play one card from your hand — to capture cards of the same rank, or several cards whose values add up to yours. Whoever ends up with the right cards wins the round. Each round offers up to 5 points — first to reach 11 wins the match.
The name "Žandar" derives from the French word "gendarme". With this card, you capture every card on the table in a single move. Žandari belongs to the same family as Tablić, Tablanette and Cassino — anyone who knows one of them will recognise the similarities straight away.
A standard 52-card deck. Two players.
Number cards are worth their face value. Aces count as 1. Face cards follow their own rules:
| Card | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | 1 | Lowest capture value |
| 2 – 10 | Face value | 2 = 2, 7 = 7, and so on |
| King | — | No number — captures Kings only |
| Queen | — | No number — captures Queens only |
| Jack | — | Special — see below |
On your turn, you play exactly one card from your hand — and you can capture in two ways:
1. Capture by matching rank
Play a card to take a table card of the same rank.
2. Capture by sum
Play a card whose value equals the combined total of two or more table cards. You capture all of them at once.
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The Iron Rule
If the card you play can capture, you must take the capture. You can never play a card that could have captured something. Choosing which card to play — that's where the strategy lives.
3. Place a card (trailing)
If the card you play can't capture anything, it stays face-up on the table — your opponent may take it on their next turn. Sometimes you trail a card deliberately to set up a bigger capture next turn.
The face cards play by their own rules — and one of them is the most powerful card in the game.
Jack — Žandar
The Jack sweeps every card off the table at once. That's the Žandar.
King
Captures Kings only. No numeric value — can't be used in sum captures.
Queen
Captures Queens only. No numeric value — can't be used in sum captures.
What happens if you play a Jack (Žandar) onto an empty table?
In the Balkans, we call it osušen — dried out. The card is normally so powerful that this moment always earns a smile. So always check the table before you play your Žandar.
When the deck and hands are empty, the round ends. Whoever captured last takes all cards still on the table. That builds tension right to the final turn — sometimes it's smarter to wait for that last capture.
At the end of each round, count your captured cards. There are 5 points available every round:
| Category | Points | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| Most cards captured Ties give 0 pts to both | 2 pts | Player with the higher card count |
| Most clubs (♣) captured | 1 pt | Player holding the most ♣ cards |
| 2 of Clubs — ♣2 "The Little One" | 1 pt | Whoever captured the ♣2 |
| 10 of Diamonds — ♦10 "The Big One" | 1 pt | Whoever captured the ♦10 |
| Total per round | 5 pts |
Agree before you start: play to 11 points for a shorter match, or 21 points for a full game. First to reach the target wins — even mid-round.
Mid-Round Win
Points are counted as soon as they're settled. The ♣2 and ♦10 count the moment they're captured; the points for most cards and most clubs count as soon as that majority can no longer be taken from you. At round end, every point is listed once more. So if you're on 10 points and capture the ♣2, you immediately hit 11 — match over. No need to finish the round.
Free to play. Worldwide. The first hand is dealt on 26 July.
Join The TableRules take two minutes. Playing well is a different thing. Here's where to start:
Don't play a Jack for one or two cards. Wait for a full table and take as much as you can in one move — that can decide a round.
Two guaranteed points live in every deck. Go out of your way to capture them, and go out of your way to block your opponent from doing the same.
One extra point for most clubs often swings a tight match. Keep a rough count of how many clubs each player is collecting.
Sometimes placing a card now sets up a bigger capture next turn. Just don't hand your opponent something valuable while you wait.
The things people most often misremember — in a single read-through. Same rules, less explanation.
52-card deck. Two players.
One card per turn. Two ways to capture:
Same rank
Your card takes the matching table card.
Sum match
One card takes multiple table cards whose values add up exactly to yours.
Your card can't capture?
It stays face-up on the table (trailing).
The Iron Rule
If the card you play can capture, you must take the capture. You can never play a card that could have captured something.
A quick reminder on all three:
Jack — Žandar
Sweeps everything off the table in one move. Does nothing on an empty table.
King
Captures Kings only. No numeric value.
Queen
Captures Queens only. No numeric value.
What happens if you play a Jack (Žandar) onto an empty table?
Jack on an empty table does nothing. The card just sits there — osušen. In the Balkans, it means dried out.
When the deck and hands are empty, the player who captured last takes all cards still on the table.
Five points available every round:
| Category | Points | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Most cards captured Ties = 0 for both | 2 pts | Highest card count |
| Most clubs (♣) | 1 pt | Most ♣ cards |
| ♣2 — "The Little One" | 1 pt | Whoever captures it |
| ♦10 — "The Big One" | 1 pt | Whoever captures it |
| Total per round | 5 pts |
First to 11 points wins — or 21 if you agreed beforehand. Points count immediately, so the match can end mid-round.
Mid-Round Win
The ♣2 and ♦10 count the moment they're captured; most cards and most clubs the moment that majority is out of your opponent's reach. At round end, all points are tallied once more. If you're on 10 points and capture the ♣2, you hit 11 right there. Match over.
Free to play. Worldwide. The first hand is dealt on 26 July.
Join The TableTwo players. One table.
Žandari was never meant to be played alone. It's a reason to sit across from someone — take your time, think three turns ahead — the same way it's been played on kitchen tables across the Balkans for as long as anyone can remember.
Žandari Classic is coming to iOS and Android. Join The Table — be first to play.
Free to pre-order — it appears on your phone on launch day.
Žandari Classic is always evolving — more modes, more features, and more of the game you know are on the way. If you have a question or feedback, or you just want to tell me how your first game went — write to me. I read every message.
hello@aokanovic.euFeedback from players is how the game gets better.
