How to play Kings in the Corner

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How to play Kings in the Corner

Kings in the Corner is a classic family card game for two to four players. Everyone plays cards onto shared piles in the middle — a cross of four side piles plus four corner piles that only Kings can start — and the first player to empty their hand wins.

Setup

Each player gets 7 cards. Four cards are dealt face up in a cross (north, east, south, west). The rest of the deck sits in the middle as the draw pile.

Playing cards

On your turn, play as many cards as you can onto the piles: each pile builds down in alternating colours — a red 9 on a black 10. The four corner positions can only be started by a King, then build down the same way.

Moving piles

Once per turn you may move one whole pile onto another if the bottom card of the moving pile fits on the other pile's top card. This frees a space for a King.

Ending your turn

When you're done playing — or if you can't play — draw one card from the deck to end your turn. The first player to get rid of all their cards wins.

Tips from the table

  • Hold your Kings until a corner is free — a King in hand at the wrong moment can clog you.
  • Merge piles to open a side space before you end your turn; open spaces are priceless.
  • Play high cards early. Low cards are flexible and easy to place late in the game.