Hamla

The game of Hamla is very popular in all layers of Caracallan society as both recreation and mental exercise. It is a game of chance, strategy and bluffing. Hamla is played using a regular deck of playing cards, with three jokers included.

Rules

At the beginning of the game, the deck is shuffled and placed between the players. The game is played by two players and consists of rounds. The number of rounds is not limited, but a usual game doesn't last longer than 3-4 rounds. The starting player is also determined in any way the players choose. Each consecutive round, the starting player alternates between the players.
The rounds continue until one player wins five points. At the start of each round, both players are dealt a fresh hand of five cards. During a round, players take turns to play one card from their hand.

The Flanks

The game of Hamla 'simulates' a battle. The game is played on three lanes, called the 'three flanks of war'. When a player plays a card, they place it in one of the three flanks, where it remains until the end of the round.

Hamla

A player can play a card face down, or face up. If the card is played face down, nothing else happens. When it is played face up, it's called a Hamla card, where the game got its name from. The opponent's top card in the same front has to be turned face up. If its value is smaller than the of the Hamla card, it is discarded. If its value is higher than that of the Hamla card, the Hamla card is discarded instead. If the two cards have the same value, both remain in the flank face up.

Once each player played all of their cards, the Battle commences. All cards are turned face up, and their values added together per player. The player with more score in a flankt wins that front, earning one point. Once all flanks are resolved, a new round begins.

Card Values

2-10: Their number
Jack: 11
Queen: 1
King: 1
Ace: 1
Joker: 0

Card Abilities

2-10: Nothing
Jack: Nothing
Queen: If the opponent has a King or Jack in their flank, discard them, unless the opponent also has a Queen in the flank.
King: Multiply the values of all other cards in this flank by 10.
Ace: If the opponent wins this flank, keep all of your non-Ace cards here for the next round and only discard the Ace.
Joker: If this is your only card in the flank, and the enemy would win it, you win it instead.

Alternatives

More players: The game of Hamla has been adapted to be played by more than two people by changing the rules a tiny bit. When played by 3+ people, the flanks are no longer shared, rather aligned. This means that each player's flank on their left side is considered the same flank as the other player's left side from their own perspective.
This version, most often played by gamblers is more popular in the lowers strata of society, while the original, two player version is enjoyed by the aristocracy.