Oğlan

If you enjoy card games that reward strategy, quick thinking, and smart plays, Oğlan is one you’ll want to learn! Popular in Syria, Iraq, and southeastern Turkey, Oğlan shares the core concept of drawing cards from the table with Basra, but introduces its own unique drawing rules, scoring system, and gameplay mechanics.

The name Oğlan means “The Boy” in Kurdish and refers to the Jack, the most powerful and influential card in the game.

Game Setup

Before you begin, here’s what you’ll need:

• Players: 2 players, or 4 players in teams of two. In team games, partners sit opposite each other.
• Deck: A standard 52-card deck without Jokers.
• Objective: Be the first player or team to reach 11 or 21 points, depending on the selected game settings.

Dealing the Cards

At the start of each round:

• Place 4 cards face up in the center of the table. This area is called the ground.
• Deal 4 cards to each player.
• Place the remaining cards face down in the stockpile to be dealt later during the game.

How to Play

Players take turns, and on each turn they must play one card from their hand.

After playing a card, one of two things happens:

• The player draws one or more cards from the ground if a valid draw is possible.
• Otherwise, they simply place the card onto the ground.

How Drawing Works

Oğlan offers several ways to draw cards, but the foundation of the game is the Sum-to-11 Rule.

The Sum-to-11 Rule

Number cards from Ace through 10 draw the card that completes a total of 11.

The rule also works in reverse:

• 10 draws an Ace.
• 9 draws a 2.
• 8 draws a 3.
• And so on.

Drawing Multiple Cards

You’re not limited to drawing a single card. If the total value of the cards on the ground, together with the card you play, equals 11, you draw all of them.

Example

If the ground contains a 2 and a 3, and you play a 6, you draw both cards because:

2 + 3 + 6 = 11

Another example

If the ground contains a 2, 3, and 5, and you play an Ace, you draw all three cards because:

2 + 3 + 5 + 1 = 11

Queen and King Rule

Queens and Kings do not follow the Sum-to-11 Rule. Instead, each has its own drawing rule:

• A Queen draws another Queen only.
• A King draws another King only.

Queens and Kings can’t be combined with number cards to make 11, and they can’t be drawn using a Jack.

Jack Rule

The Jack is the most powerful card in Oğlan.

When played, it draws every card on the table in a single move, with two exceptions:

• It does not draw Kings.
• It does not draw Queens.

Kings and Queens always remain on the table when a Jack is played.

If the table is empty, or contains only Kings and Queens, the Jack draws nothing and remains on the table like any other card.

If No Draw Is Possible

If you cannot make a valid draw, you must place one card from your hand onto the table.

The card remains face up and can be drawn by another player on a later turn.

End of the Round

A round ends after all 52 cards have been played.

The player or team that made the last draw collects all remaining cards on the table, even if those cards could not normally be drawn.

Scoring

Each round is worth a total of 5 points.

Tie Rule

If both sides collect 26 cards, neither side receives the 2 points awarded for collecting the most cards.

The remaining 3 points are still awarded as usual.

End of the Game

Rounds continue until one player or team reaches 11 or 21 points, depending on the selected game settings.

The first player or team to reach the target score wins.

If both sides reach the target score in the same round, the side that earned more points during that round wins the game.

Quick Summary

Goal

Draw cards, earn points, and be the first to reach 11 or 21 points.

Key Rule

Use your cards to complete a total of 11 and draw as many cards as possible.

Strategy Tip

Save your Jack for the right moment. It can draw almost every card on the table in a single move—but remember, it cannot draw Kings or Queens.

Ready to try Oğlan and test your skills in this amazing new game? Play now!